The mid-size sedan Hyundai Sonata of the fifth generation, which formally fell into the business class in terms of dimensions, but clearly did not reach it in terms of other parameters, was officially presented to the public in April 2004 at the Seoul Motor Show under the NF index, and already at the end of summer went on sale. The car reached Russia in 2005, and all under the same letter designation "NF" (so that there is no confusion with the previous model, with which they were offered in parallel for a certain time).
In 2008, a restyled three-volume was shown at the Chicago Bridal Show - it did not receive radical transformations, but at the same time it slightly "refined" externally, tried on a noticeably redrawn interior and "armed" with modernized engines. In 2009, it was time for the next generation of the model, but NF held out on the "American conveyor" until 2010 - after which it finally "retired".
Outwardly, Hyundai NF Sonata simultaneously resembles many Japanese and European models, but at the same time it looks very attractive and solid - its appearance is pleasing to the eye and is not capable of causing rejection. A pretty front end with frowning headlights and a compact radiator grille, a prominent silhouette with classic three-volume outlines and an imposing stern with slanting lights and a massive bumper - even by today's standards, the sedan is quite good looking.
As already noted, the dimensions of the fifth generation "Sonata" allow it to take a place in the E-class (but formally it belongs to the "D" segment) by European standards: 4800 mm in length, 1475 mm in height and 1832 mm in width. Between the pairs of wheels at the four-door fit 2730 mm, and under the bottom you can see 155 mm ground clearance.
The interior of Hyundai NF Sonata makes a good impression, although it looks a little rustic - a large multifunctional steering wheel with a four-spoke design, a laconic and informative instrument panel, a nice center console, in the upper part of which a two-din radio and a climate control are logically arranged. In addition to this, the inside of the car is mostly made of high-quality materials, and all the elements are neatly fitted.
The Korean sedan "suites" offer a decent amount of space in both the front and rear. In the first case, armchairs with a "relaxed" profile and wide adjustment intervals are installed, and in the second, a friendly molded sofa.
The luggage compartment of the "fifth" Hyundai Sonata has an impressive 523 liters. The rear seat is "sawn" into two sections in a ratio of 60:40, which makes it possible to transport oversized cargo, and in the "cellar" under the raised floor there is a full-fledged "spare wheel" and a tool placed in a special container.
Specifications. The power range of the Hyundai NF Sonata combines both gasoline and diesel power plants, interacting with a 5- or 6-speed manual transmission or a 4- or 5-band automatic transmission, as well as a front-wheel drive transmission:
- The sedan is allocated atmospheric gasoline engines with distributed fuel injection and variable valve timing - these are in-line "fours" with a volume of 2.0-2.4 liters, developing 152-174 horsepower and 188-227 Nm of maximum torque, and a 3.3-liter V-shaped "six", equipped with 233 "horses" and 304 Nm.
- The diesel part of the car is represented by four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged units, a Common Rail system and a 16-valve timing belt, the output of which is 140-150 "stallions" and 305 Nm of torque in all cases.
Depending on the modification, the maximum capabilities of the three-volume vehicle range from 194 to 228 km / h, and the acceleration to the first "hundred" is within 7.8-11.6 seconds. Gasoline cars are content with 7.7-10 liters of fuel in mixed driving conditions, and diesel ones require no more than 6.1-7.3 liters of "diesel".
The fifth "release" Hyundai Sonata extends on a front-wheel drive "bogie" with a transversely based power plant and independent suspensions on both axles: both front and rear, a multi-link system with hydraulic shock absorbers and lateral stabilizers is applied.
On the front wheels of the car, ventilated disc brakes are used, and on the rear wheels - the usual "pancakes" (in all versions with ABS and EBD). The steering system is equipped with a rack and pinion configuration on the triple volume by default with hydraulic power steering.
"Sonata" of the fifth generation is distinguished by: solid appearance, comfortable interior, roomy trunk, reliable design, affordable service, good driving characteristics, decent sound insulation and a bunch of other advantages.
Among the disadvantages are high fuel consumption, pronounced rolls when cornering and low liquidity in the secondary market.
Options and prices. At the beginning of 2017, in the secondary market of Russia, Hyundai NF Sonata is offered at a price of 300 thousand rubles, but the cost of the most "fresh" and "equipped" options easily reaches 700 thousand rubles.
Even in the simplest configuration, the car boasts: six airbags, ABS, air conditioning, an on-board computer, an audio system with six columns, heated front seats, four power windows, electrically adjustable mirrors and some other options.
