New Sonata does away with current model’s swoopy, curvy look.

What happens when you mate the new Audi A6 with an Accord? You get the spanking new Hyundai Sonata, one that the company has specifically built to target the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. But how good will the new car be? Now, we know what you're thinking. But hang on a teensie-weensie bit and make it to the end of the page before you write off the Korean's chances.
For starters, the look is all-new. Gone is the swoopy, curvy Jaguar look. The Sonata is now suave, sophisticated and minimalist, a look which is sure to appeal to a wider audience. Hyundai's Euro-centric Getz received a positive reaction in a number of markets around the world, and the similarly European-looking new NF Sonata is the result. The stern-looking headlights are straight out of the new Audi A6, the lines are generally clean with very few styling inputs or outlandish flourishes, so common on recent Hyundais.

New Sonata’s rear quite similar to the Accord while headlights are inspired by new Audi A6.

A simple version of Hyundai's grille, a minimalist chin and a sculpted bonnet all go some way towards making this car look relatively anonymous but very digestible. The rear door has a little bit of Camry in it, the alloys look as if they are off a Honda and from the rear, you could be following an Accord. But its looks will not offend anyone, and that is exactly what Hyundai wants. Larger all-round, the new Sonata is 55mm longer, 10mm wider and 55mm taller than the current model, and this will mean the car will be roomier on the inside, as well. Also invisible in the pictures of this fifth-generation Sonata is the big step up in quality, intended to tempt buyers away from rival models.
The interiors, not yet revealed, are touted as being really special too.
Power will come via two new 2.0 and 2.4-litre engines, developed with Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler, as well as Hyundai's 2.7-litre V6. In a reversal of roles, both DC and Mitsubishi will pay Hyundai royalties of approximately US$ 57 million when they use these two four-cylinder motors in products of their own. Known as the ‘Theta’ engine, this motor comes with advances such as variable valve-timing, balancer shafts and a metal chain-based timing belt.
Internationally, Hyundai hasn't launched a new car in over two years and as a result the new Sonata will be crucial. The car will be built at a spanking new plant in Alabama, USA, as well as elsewhere. Hyundai Motor vice-chairman Kim Dong-Jin said: "We have put every effort and energy for three years into producing this model, and we expect to sell more than 300,000 annually.” The bullish thrust into the US market is due to Hyundai's recent success in JD Power USA's Quality and APEAL studies. They ranked alongside Honda, with Toyota a single point ahead! With profits 21 percent up from last year, Hyundai now wants to leapfrog PSA Peugeot-Citroen and take the world's fifth-largest car-maker head on — none other than Volkswagen.
Looks like this Sonata will really push its rivals — let's hope the right-hand drive
version makes it here soon.