A SONATA is a piece of classical music, usually for a solo instrument - it is also a Korean motor car.
They say that many a good tune is played on an old fiddle and, if not exactly vintage, the Sonata has had nearly as many incarnations as Dr Who. The difference is that while many people don't always like a new Doctor, this car gets better with every version.
You would also have to be a space traveller not to notice how the Sonata has aped the styling of some of its distinguished and more expensive rivals.
A budget executive car is, I suppose, a contradiction in terms, but the Sonata could be mistaken for a Mercedes at a distance, but with a massive price difference.
Prices start at £14,495 for the 2.0 CDX manual, £15,495 for the 2.0 CDX automatic and £17,495 for the 2.7 V6. All feature a host of standard kit, plus a five-year warranty. To be fair, the Sonata lacks the quality and the image of the likes of Mercedes and the Rover 75, but should find a market amongst those who want plenty for their money.
Hyundai says it is targeting the fleet market as well as private buyers for this model. For the same cash you would also get a decent repmobile like a Passet, Vectra or Mondeo, but the Sonata does offer distinctive styling, plenty of room and decent economy.
Despite vaguely resembling a Merc on the outside, the interior clearly shows the price difference. Although the comfort and build quality is decent, it does not have the quality, expensive feel of the top German cars.
There is plenty of space for driver and four passengers, headroom is decent and there is good all-round vision. All the controls are handily placed and easy to use, and after driving a third Hyundai in as many weeks, I finally got used to the reversed wiper/indicator stalks.
Little extras are everywhere, from cup holders to coin holders and there are more electrics than Blackpool Illuminations. Standard equipment for the CDX includes air conditioning, CD player, sunroof, alloy wheels, and electric mirrors.
The boot is cavernous, as you would expect on a car this size, and the Sonata passes the pushchair and shopping test with flying colours.
Handling is decent and the ride good - but don't go throwing it into corners unless you want a severe case of seasickness - it can be distinctly wallowy.
The automatic model tested adds an extra £1,000 to the price and only suffers marginally in the economy stakes, delivering 29.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 228 g/km as opposed to 31.4 mpg and 215g/km for the manual.
The Sonata is a big motor car and I had fears that the two litre engine would not cope. I was pleasantly surprised. The unit belts out 131 bhp and pulls steadily throughout the gear range, and only gets noisy when being pushed hard. Performance in manual form is adequate with the 0-60 dash taking nearly 11 seconds and the top speed of 121 mph, but the auto box shaves an inconsequential 7mph off the top speed and adds a couple of seconds to the sprint time.
Having said that, noise is not a problem, the interior is well damped from noisy intrusions and the Sonata is a very refined motorway cruiser.
Safety is also well catered for and features includes antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front and side airbags, plus impact protection.
Hyundai says key competitors for the new Sonata include the Vauxhall Omega, Toyota Camry and other lower-executive class cars. Hyundai has made the image breakthrough with cars like the Getz and the Coupe, this sector could be a tougher nut to crack.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 CDX Auto
Price: £15,495
Mechanical: 131bhp, 1,975cc 4 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 4spd automatic transmission
Max speed: 114mph
0-60mph: 13.2 secs
Combined mpg: 29.7
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 228g/km
BiK rating: 27%
Warranty: 5rs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs breakdown