2009 Sonata among Motor Trends top picks

22 August 2008

Immediate release

2009 Sonata among Motor Trends top picks

Motor Trend magazine has named the new Hyundai Sonata as its number two pick among mid-sized family sedans sold in the United States.

In a ten model comparison of mid-sized sedans published in its August 2008 issue, the widely read and authoritative U.S. monthly rated the 2009 Sonata higher than the hugely popular Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in this survey of the most hotly contested segment in America.

Hyundai's Sonata was cited for its outstanding interior styling, cabin roominess and for offering the best fuel economy of the top five finishers with its latest generation 2.4 Theta petrol engine, which includes variable inlet / exhaust valve timing and a variable length intake tract to improve efficiency. These changes have allowed improved fuel economy as well as increases in peak power and peak torque.

“When we launched the 2009 Sonata at Fieldays this year we did it with a fuel economy run in the diesel version. The facelift Sonata produced a result of 4.70 litres/100km and had a great response from those in the industry and our customers” says Philip Eustace, Executive Director Hyundai Motors New Zealand.

“To now know that it has beat competitors like Camry and Accord in the biggest automotive market in the world is testament to the improvements that have been made in this model.”

In 2007 the Hyundai Sonata was the number one selling diesel medium passenger vehicle in New Zealand with 858 sold across the range.

ENDS

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