Sonata facelift w/ new interior: now called Sonata 'Transform'

sammyboy · 15th January 2009, 16:15

I have always found the Sonata to be fantastic VFM . The Manual 2.0 CRDI does look tempting

harry10 · 15th January 2009, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabloo

Let see who does better sales

It will be Linea anyday.

Mpower · 15th January 2009, 21:29

Overall its a good move and one that is a result of the Accord launch. But it would have been great if they had given us the Chinese version.

THe 'Embera' name is dead. They are not calling it the Embera anymore.

Vid6639 · 15th January 2009, 21:49

Yeah that's why they are calling is the Sonata "Transform" and not the Embera.

I love the interiors and the car is loaded with features to the gill. The dash design is good and from the pics the quality of materials appears to be very good.

Yeldo · 15th January 2009, 23:38

Ah, finally a Diesel Sonata with an automatic tranny. I'm glad to hear this.

I might be thinking of one soon. The exteriors look classy, and not OTT like the Chinese version, the interiors look very good in the photos. Let me check the actual interior quality and feel. Hope they have by now sorted out the turbo lag issue.

rangaraj · 15th January 2009, 23:59

From the australian hyundai website, the following FE figures:

2.4L Petrol 12.5kmpl (8l per 100km)
2.0L CRDi MT 16.66666667 kmpl (6l per 100km)
2.0L CRDi AT 14.28571429 kmpl (7l per 100km)

Did not specify city/highway.. Very fuel efficient with the diesel coming close to the Skoda territory..

dockap · 16th January 2009, 00:22

wow nice really nice

i think the crdi with auto tranny is better that the laura
this car is very very comfortable (we had a petrol sonata)and the interiors are 2 good neat and soothing
hope the music system is also good enough
feel tempted to tell my dad to sell his laura manual tranny and buy this crdi sonata with auto tranny
no mention of cruise control anywhere i know its useless on our roads but still

10 out of 10 to hyundai for this car

lancer_rit · 16th January 2009, 00:54

The interiors looks very good. Lot of standard kit (unlike the Accord). The dual exhaust is also a nice touch.

The VTVT engine now makes 10bhp more power as well. Looks a very competent D-segment offering ...

Caramelo · 16th January 2009, 01:03

first they developed the "kappa" engine now they have the new theta engine for petrol version with VIS and VTVT technology. and if it gives 12.5kmpl mileage as reported then at 14Lsomethin... with power of 175 ps. six airbags, fresh looks, better interiors, usb/ipod jack, audio controls damn. for someone who has less than 1000 kms the petrol variant looks very tempting. for one who has more heavy duty runs CRDI with 150ps and its torque would be a stunner. and it comes in automatic versions too great!!

Caramelo · 16th January 2009, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

(unlike the Accord). The dual exhaust is also a nice touch.

yeah i like that sonata has dual exhaust it give the car a sporty definition. very sexy. also gotta love those lamps and alloys they look cool. dont they guys?

Steeroid · 16th January 2009, 01:30

6-speed Manual for the CRDi is a necessity given the small displacement with turbo-lag for such a large car.

Way to go, Hyundai. Now do something about the marketing (HINT: COTY Awards, unbridled praise in television shows, etc).

I wonder if they will have TD vehicles for the 6-speed CRDi?

rangaraj · 16th January 2009, 07:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangaraj

From the australian hyundai website, the following FE figures:

2.4L Petrol 12.5kmpl (8l per 100km)
2.0L CRDi MT 16.66666667 kmpl (6l per 100km)
2.0L CRDi AT 14.28571429 kmpl (7l per 100km)

Did not specify city/highway.. Very fuel efficient with the diesel coming close to the Skoda territory..

These seem to be average FE as i saw this in a website: 2009 Sonata A Fresh Look for a Hyundai Cornerstone - The Mississauga News - Mississauga.com

In the engine department, the 2.4-litre has eight per cent more power while using five per cent less fuel at 9.5L/100 km city and 6.2L/100 km highway.

gaurav911 · 16th January 2009, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppy

Even then, the Embera is such an under-rated car! I like the fact that for just a bit more than the Civic, you get a much bigger car.

I'd rather buy an Embera CRDI rather than the Laura Ambiente any given day - they're at the same price point!

Totally agree. Laura is not at all a refined car. Embera scores in all respects. The new interiors are an added advantage.
However, the main flipside is the brand image- somehow Sonata's market value deteriorates quickly.

rohitrk · 16th January 2009, 11:13

With new interiors the price seems to have gone back to it's original levels before the price cuts. With new prices accord MT is now at 1.6L more than Transform CRDI MT. Will people sacrifice accord brand for diesel advantage and 1.6L saving?

shatrughna · 16th January 2009, 12:10

Fairly impressed by the improvements all around. Seems closer to Laura but the price is still not very lucrative. Though its much better and larger car than Laura in a different class but Laura is still more appealing IMHO.

While space, engine -better(CRDi) and more powerful, after sales service, warranty - peace of mind aspect go in favour of Sonata Transform.
4 speed AT ( H matic ) is too old tech now.

But appeal of a Laura AT with its Sunroof, Cruise control, Xenons, 6 Speed DSG- tiptronic, Solid build, better FE and expectedly good resale value still clinch the deal in favour of Laura.

Hope turbo lag issue is sorted and definitely Sonata is now in the reckoning and hope they improve the AT next time.

15th January 2009, 16:15	#46
sammyboy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ggn/Dehradun Posts: 1,842 Thanked: 525 Times View My Garage	I have always found the Sonata to be fantastic VFM . The Manual 2.0 CRDI does look tempting
	() Thanks

15th January 2009, 21:29	#48
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,734 Times View My Garage	Overall its a good move and one that is a result of the Accord launch. But it would have been great if they had given us the Chinese version. THe 'Embera' name is dead. They are not calling it the Embera anymore.
	() Thanks

15th January 2009, 21:49	#49
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,786 Thanked: 44,030 Times View My Garage	Yeah that's why they are calling is the Sonata "Transform" and not the Embera. I love the interiors and the car is loaded with features to the gill. The dash design is good and from the pics the quality of materials appears to be very good.
	() Thanks

15th January 2009, 23:38	#50
Yeldo BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kochi Posts: 764 Thanked: 783 Times	Ah, finally a Diesel Sonata with an automatic tranny. I'm glad to hear this. I might be thinking of one soon. The exteriors look classy, and not OTT like the Chinese version, the interiors look very good in the photos. Let me check the actual interior quality and feel. Hope they have by now sorted out the turbo lag issue.
	() Thanks

15th January 2009, 23:59	#51
rangaraj BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 570 Thanked: 10 Times	Fe From the australian hyundai website, the following FE figures: 2.4L Petrol 12.5kmpl (8l per 100km) 2.0L CRDi MT 16.66666667 kmpl (6l per 100km) 2.0L CRDi AT 14.28571429 kmpl (7l per 100km) Did not specify city/highway.. Very fuel efficient with the diesel coming close to the Skoda territory..
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 00:22	#52
dockap BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mangalore Posts: 875 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	wow nice really nice i think the crdi with auto tranny is better that the laura this car is very very comfortable (we had a petrol sonata)and the interiors are 2 good neat and soothing hope the music system is also good enough feel tempted to tell my dad to sell his laura manual tranny and buy this crdi sonata with auto tranny no mention of cruise control anywhere i know its useless on our roads but still 10 out of 10 to hyundai for this car
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 00:54	#53
lancer_rit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,268 Thanked: 312 Times	The interiors looks very good. Lot of standard kit (unlike the Accord). The dual exhaust is also a nice touch. The VTVT engine now makes 10bhp more power as well. Looks a very competent D-segment offering ...
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 01:03	#54
Caramelo BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ahmedabad Posts: 769 Thanked: 17 Times	first they developed the "kappa" engine now they have the new theta engine for petrol version with VIS and VTVT technology. and if it gives 12.5kmpl mileage as reported then at 14Lsomethin... with power of 175 ps. six airbags, fresh looks, better interiors, usb/ipod jack, audio controls damn. for someone who has less than 1000 kms the petrol variant looks very tempting. for one who has more heavy duty runs CRDI with 150ps and its torque would be a stunner. and it comes in automatic versions too great!!
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 01:30	#56
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,756 Times	6-speed Manual for the CRDi is a necessity given the small displacement with turbo-lag for such a large car. Way to go, Hyundai. Now do something about the marketing (HINT: COTY Awards, unbridled praise in television shows, etc). I wonder if they will have TD vehicles for the 6-speed CRDi?
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 11:13	#59
rohitrk BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: pune Posts: 92 Thanked: 14 Times	Back to the original price With new interiors the price seems to have gone back to it's original levels before the price cuts. With new prices accord MT is now at 1.6L more than Transform CRDI MT. Will people sacrifice accord brand for diesel advantage and 1.6L saving?
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 12:10	#60
shatrughna BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 894 Thanked: 69 Times	Fairly impressed by the improvements all around. Seems closer to Laura but the price is still not very lucrative. Though its much better and larger car than Laura in a different class but Laura is still more appealing IMHO. While space, engine -better(CRDi) and more powerful, after sales service, warranty - peace of mind aspect go in favour of Sonata Transform. 4 speed AT ( H matic ) is too old tech now. But appeal of a Laura AT with its Sunroof, Cruise control, Xenons, 6 Speed DSG- tiptronic, Solid build, better FE and expectedly good resale value still clinch the deal in favour of Laura. Hope turbo lag issue is sorted and definitely Sonata is now in the reckoning and hope they improve the AT next time.
	() Thanks