2005 Hyundai Sonata: First Official Pics

[Deadpool]

Thanks to bgluckman from vwvortex.

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/sonata_official_1.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/sonata_official_2.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/sonata_official_3.jpg

[NewsReporter]

Exterior looks horrible but the interior is very nice..wow

[Infiniti_lover]

Looks like the Subie Legacie on the outside. I am amazed w/ the interior.

[Vans]

I'm kind of with the small consensus so far - the exterior is so so. But the interior looks like they've made huge strides although I remember from the spy pics that the center console area is not so appealing. But you gotta give it up to those asians man - they're so smart

[joeB]

Looks like a TSX in the front. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tower]

The front looks like an Elantra/Honda marriage. As opposed to the current model, which looks like a Jag/Mercedes. Nice going Hyundai. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

I do like the interior. The maze shifter excepted.

[Chip_Letzgus]

It's like the Old Navy of cars.

[M_TYPE_X]

It's like the Old Navy of cars.



http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif Old Navy is like the ************** offspring of Honda and Subaru?

[Chip_Letzgus]

It's like the Old Navy of cars.



http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif Old Navy is like the ************** offspring of Honda and Subaru?



No, not in that relation. It looks okay, but still cheap. That's how Old Navy clothes are. Just look at the gauge cluster. It's like their metro/housemaid mom commercials.

[222Max]

It seems the nterior is where the car will shine. The front end is disappointing and gives the car a down market look. It didn't have to be that conservative.

[NissT]

What’s so great about the interior http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif?? And you can’t even see it... Just bits and pieces.

[Deadpool]

What’s so great about the interior http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif?? And you can’t even see it... Just bits and pieces.



http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/1.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/2.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/3.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/4.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/5.jpg

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/6.jpg

[MAXTIMA]

What a shameless exploitation of the Accord's rear. THe interior doesn't seem like much to get excited about. This car is a BIG step for Hyundai, but I still don't think it even comes close to the Altima not to talk of the accord.

[NissT]

Ok, now that I see the interior, it LOOKS ok, but that’s about it...

[NewsReporter]

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/1.jpg

The rear looks like 02 I30

[InfiniteNisdom]

It seems the nterior is where the car will shine. The front end is disappointing and gives the car a <font color="red[/img] down market look</font>...


Its a Hyuandi, what did you expect? How much further down market can you go... Kia?
IMO the front looks a little like the Acura RL prototype
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2005/Acura/100197761/029697-E.jpg
http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/4.jpg
Separated at birth???

[NisFan]

The back looks better than the Honda Accord although they were stolen from the Accord's design. The front looks like the new Subaru Legacy meets the Scion Tc. The interior is good for a Hyundai but still doesn't have anything to be excited about.

Does anyone know what the specs are like for this car?

[InfiniteNisdom]

http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/1.jpg

The rear looks like 02 I30


I think '03 Accord with the
http://www.hondacars.com/images/banners/2005/accord_sedan/exterior_gallery/large6.jpg

tail pipes from the Altima

http://199.239.248.45/images/full/2001/s01041003/ns2002al04.jpg

and the side marker lights from the Jetta

http://www-acad.sheridanc.on.ca/COMP4064/boudream/personal/images/jetta.jpg

[222Max]

It seems the nterior is where the car will shine. The front end is disappointing and gives the car a <font color="red[/img] down market look</font>...


Its a Hyuandi, what did you expect? How much further down market can you go... Kia?
IMO the front looks a little like the Acura RL prototype
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2005/Acura/100197761/029697-E.jpg
http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata/4.jpg
Separated at birth???



Those cars resemble each other in only the most basic ways. I don't see anyway of confusing them. As for the down market look... Hyundai has been pretty good at styling thier cars to look as if they're more expensive than they really are. Even the Kia Amati's front is patterned after expensive Euro sedans.

Sonata looks svelt from most angles but the grill and headlights are too Elantra.

[joeB]

I think it looks like a TSX from the front. The rear
looks alot like the accord. I think the front and rear
side of the car looks like a Passat.

That Altima sure looks nice.. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

Overall Sonata side profile says "Honey, I stretched the Elantra!"

['87 Sentra]

I think Hyundai will sell as many as they can make. It looks like they are ready to play with the big boys. I predict that the next generation Sonata will be at the level of the Japanese in quality and provably even performance. No hybrid though.

[SHIFT_6speeds]

For a Hyundai its VERY IMPRESSIVE. And the exterior is far more attractive than the Accords. Japan makers beware...Korea is gonna be kickin' ya'll in the booty! And your booty is far more attractive than Accords!

Our US Accord just should never existed...the TSX should have fit that bill just fine...imagine the TSX as our Accord with the V6 option....that would have been pretty sweet.

Just proves what a low opinion foreign makes have of us over here...they think we all want marshmallow crappy ugly cars. And basically they are right (with me as an exception..hell, look at the ugly 300C).

[M_TYPE_X]

basically they are right (with me as an exception).



Yes yes, you're so much better than 'the rest of us.'

Accords, Altimas, and Camrys seem to sell just fine. And for extra cash, you can have a TSX, TL, Maxima, G35, ES, or IS. So many choices!

[SHIFT_6speeds]

basically they are right (with me as an exception).



Yes yes, you're so much better than 'the rest of us.'




http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[NewsReporter]

basically they are right (with me as an exception).



Yes yes, you're so much better than 'the rest of us.'

Accords, Altimas, and Camrys seem to sell just fine. And for extra cash, you can have a TSX, TL, Maxima, G35, ES, or IS. So many choices!



Choices which the rest of the world does not have http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[InfiniteNisdom]

I have to admit Hyundai has come up in the past few years- in design and quality. But they are still down market. What's the first word that comes to your mind when you see the name "Hyundai"?

[InfiniteNisdom]

<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/dopoll.php[/img]<INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="pollname" VALUE="1093489723InfiniteNisdom[/img]


What's the first thing you think of, when you hear the word Hyundai ?

<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />Nice little Affordable Car

<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />Cheap

<input type="radio" name="option" value="3" />That piece of $h!t my girlfriend had

<input type="radio" name="option" value="4" />Luxury Cruiser

<input type="radio" name="option" value="5" />High powered performance machinehttp://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<input type="radio" name="option" value="6" />Don't give a f***

<INPUT TYPE=Submit NAME=Submit VALUE="Submit vote" class="buttons[/img]</form>

[NewsReporter]

Hyundai is now what Toyota &amp; Nissan was in 1990

[222Max]

Hyundai is now what Toyota &amp; Nissan was in 1990



Exactly. People forget that it wasn't long ago that Honda, Toyota and Nissan were viewed as smaller, cheaper alternatives to domestics and Europeans. If anything Hyundai has progressed farther faster than any of these Japanese companys. And to show how aggressive and commited Hyundai is thier planning to introduce an upscale luxury division in the near future. Don't laugh. Remember how sceptical people were of the original Acura Legend and the Lexus LS? Well, nobody's laughing now, are they?

[Milesblue42]

I just hope they were able to get rid of that " Hyundai Plastic smell " http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[NewsReporter]

If anything Hyundai has progressed farther faster than any of these Japanese companys.



I can't agree with you on that, the Japanese had a much harder time convicning people their vehicles were good. People back then considered Japanese vehicles for the most part a joke. The Japanese broke down that barrier for the rest of the Asian imports. Now a days, it's ok to buy a Japanese vehicle, it's so much easier now to sell Asian vehicles.

[222Max]

If anything Hyundai has progressed farther faster than any of these Japanese companys.



I can't agree with you on that, the Japanese had a much harder time convicning people their vehicles were good. People back then considered Japanese vehicles for the most part a joke. The Japanese broke down that barrier for the rest of the Asian imports. Now a days, it's ok to buy a Japanese vehicle, it's so much easier now to sell Asian vehicles.



That doesn't change the fact though. The Japanese may have opened the way. But Hyundai has been in this market for only about 20 years... and the Japanese haven't exactly been standing still during that time. They've continued to raise the bar in machanical sophistication and quality. It took Hyundai only 10 years to get within throwing distance of the majors.

In short they've been able to establish themselves much quicker than thier Japanese counterparts... especially since most of thier intital offerings (the Excel) were cheaply made, and unsafe vehicles which generated so many warranty claims that they nearly took the brand out of this market during the 80s.

They've made huge leaps in a short time from where they were.

[M_TYPE_X]

companies

mechanical

initial

... 222Max, I'd like to sign you up for some grammer/dictshun tutering classes. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

New Hondas smell better than new Hyundais.
I think Hyundai just needs to ripoff the smell...
forget the Accord taillamps. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[SHIFT_6speeds]

New Hondas smell better than new Hyundais.
I think Hyundai just needs to ripoff the smell...
forget the Accord taillamps. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tongue.gif



Git dat schnoz outta da tailpipe.

That Carbonmonoxide is killing your brain cells. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[222Max]

companies

mechanical

initial

... 222Max, I'd like to sign you up for some grammer/dictshun tutering classes. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif




Yea, I can spell. I just can't type. Shoulda paid more attention during all those high school study halls. But wait a minute... do you really want get started on post content? I'll murdalize ya. Still, I ain't mad a cha. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif