WE MEET AGAIN
The new Hyundai Sonata aims to flatter by imitating the Honda Accord — but like all flatterers, is it just a step ahead?
ASHLEY BAXTER

HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4
List price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 13-15 lakh (est)
Top speed 210kph (est)
0-60kph 4.98sec
0-100kph 11.47sec
Kpl 8.9 (overall)
For Ride, rear seat comfort,
straight line stability
Against Plastic quality, auto box and engine lack refinement

HONDA ACCORD 2.4 VTi-L
List price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 15.92 lakh
Top speed 205kph
0-60kph 4.92sec
0-100kph 11.14sec
Kpl 8.7 (overall)
For Engine, gearbox, refinement, interiors
Against Hard ride, lacks solid feel

Ripping up the form book and delivering more than expected is something Hyundai has been doing consistently. A company that has been climbing steadily and building better and more competitive cars with every model, Hyundai today is closer to its Japanese rivals than ever before. And the new Sonata is undeniable proof. A direct rival to the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, measure for measure, spec to spec, the Korean is now truly punching with the heavyweights.
This is not the first time these two have met in anger on our pages. Sons of rivals that butted heads back in Sepmtember 2001, they have a history of conflict. Back in 2001 the pretty Sonata left the vanilla-plain Accord with a bloody nose. Smaller than the Accord, the Hyundai still managed to get the better of its Japanese rival in some key areas. The match was adjudged too close to call, the first and only time we've done that.
But things are different now. Having systematically attacked the weak areas of the old car, the new Accord, launched in September '03, has lunched on its rivals with consummate ease for the past couple of years, demolishing them with its combination of its looks, performance, style and even interior design and build — a first for Honda. Today, Ford's Mondeo and Toyota's Camry flounder in its wake. So what chance does the Hyundai have, this after all being one of the best Accords ever? But don't write the Korean off — it's a fighter, prepared to go 15 rounds and with a few trick punches of its own. So no pushing, no head-butts, let’s have a clean fight. Bong, bong, round one