2002 Hyundai Sonata - A Lot More Car for A Little More Money
Hyundai has been bucking industry trends of downward spiraling sales with new records every month. This has as much to do with the effective marketing of their competitive pricing as it represents the quality of product they are producing. After all, it's one thing to pull people down to the dealership but if they don't like what they came to see, they're going to walk, not drive away.
Every car in Hyundai's line up has been significantly improved over the last two years but it was last year's XG 300, Santa Fe and Elantra that began to rival their Japanese competition in design, driving dynamics and quality. The all-new Sonata raises the bar once again.
From outward appearances alone, its 37 mm increase in overall length is apparent. It's 12 mm higher too, accentuated by a dramatically tall black and chrome waterfall grille. Tasteful chrome accents and twin sculpted headlamps give the Sonata an upscale look. Overall, the new design brings the Sonata's appearance closer in relation to the rest of the Hyundai family.
The larger size is apparent inside as well, with more leg, hip and headroom for both front and rear occupants. Driver and front passenger get larger seats inherited from the XG350 with a driver's side double recline feature. The new dash is made up of soft touch plastics, a feature usually exclusive to luxury brands. All controls are logically laid out rotating and clicking with the tactile feeling of quality. Also, the center console is larger than in the previous Sonata allowing better placement of stereo and HVAC controls. Power amenities abound as do other standard enticements including air conditioning, a 6-speaker CD audio system, cruise control and remote trunk lid. For a tad more money, the GLX includes heated power leather seats, automatic climate control, woodgrain trim, remote keyless entry and a power sunroof.
Hyundai has been bucking industry trends of downward spiraling sales with new records every month. This has as much to do with the effective marketing of their competitive pricing as it represents the quality of product they are producing. After all, it's one thing to pull people down to the dealership but if they don't like what they came to see, they're going to walk, not drive away.
Every car in Hyundai's line up has been significantly improved over the last two years but it was last year's XG 300, Santa Fe and Elantra that began to rival their Japanese competition in design, driving dynamics and quality. The all-new Sonata raises the bar once again. From outward appearances alone, its 37 mm increase in overall length is apparent. It's 12 mm higher too, accentuated by a dramatically tall black and chrome waterfall grille. Tasteful chrome accents and twin sculpted headlamps give the Sonata an upscale look. Overall, the new design brings the Sonata's appearance closer in relation to the rest of the Hyundai family.
The larger size is apparent inside as well, with more leg, hip and headroom for both front and rear occupants. Driver and front passenger get larger seats inherited from the XG350 with a driver's side double recline feature. The new dash is made up of soft touch plastics, a feature usually exclusive to luxury brands. All controls are logically laid out rotating and clicking with the tactile feeling of quality. Also, the center console is larger than in the previous Sonata allowing better placement of stereo and HVAC controls. Power amenities abound as do other standard enticements including air conditioning, a 6-speaker CD audio system, cruise control and remote trunk lid. For a tad more money, the GLX includes heated power leather seats, automatic climate control, woodgrain trim, remote keyless entry and a power sunroof.