Sonata facelift w/ new interior: now called Sonata 'Transform'

navin · 17th January 2009, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by white_vdi

@ GTO : couldn't agree with you more. i personally also liked the Embera. dont understand why does hyundai always be soo shhhh about their products when they have potential in them? .

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The Embera, as well, was a winner. It actually was a pretty good sedan. The problem lies in Hyundai's handling of the product (marketing, pricing etc.) and our resistance to any Hyundai over 10 lakhs.

The Emberra was on my list when I was looking for a car in '04 (along with the Corrolla AT, Skoda vRS, Forrester, and Endevaour). Hyundai refsed to budge from their then list price of 15L. Even when told that for 15L oen could get a Accord they refused to budge. I told the salesman that if they ever want to sell the car they'd have to offer atleast a 15% discount off the Accord.

The Emberra at that time did not have good interiors but the rest of the car was quite good. It felt more solid and poised that the Accord over bumps alas I believe the damage is done. I dont think any makeover is going to save the Emberra today.

Vid6639 · 17th January 2009, 23:51

Navinji, they've dropped the Embera name and now call it the Sonata transform.

The Transform now has the following extra features:

- Dual zone climate control
- Double DIN HU with Aux/IPOD/USB
- 6 speakers and a8" subwoofer in the rear parcel shelf.
- CRDI AT also has smart key with kepless ignition.
- Trip computer
- Electro-chromic RVM
- Gas struts for hood and boot so it does not eat into luggage area.
- 8 way power seats
- 2 airbags standard but curtain and side airbags can be added as option.

Steeroid · 18th January 2009, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeldo

I am seriously contemplating about making myself a guinea pig and buy a Sonata Transform CRDi A/T. I'll decide after seeing the actual car. That'll make a good upgrade from my Verna, instead of the Linea I've been looking at.

If I were back home in India and in the market for a D-segment car (natural choice to complement my truck) I would pick the 6-speed manual CRDi with my eyes closed. I've driven the older CRDi and I felt it needed closer grar ratios, this is now addressed. As for competition, it beats the Skodas on power, space, refinemet, economy, service costs and service experience. Beats the Accord on ride and handling as well as power delivery in both petrol and diesel avtars.

All it lacked was snob value and image, I care two hoots for those.

Gangsta · 18th January 2009, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

the new transform is on display at Hyundai motor plaza, mathura road, delhi, in white and black colour, both diesels. interiors are fantastic and hugely improved over the embera.

any test ride? i may goto HMP on thursday for regular service.

SkyWalker · 18th January 2009, 09:14

There was a thread on Hyundai bringing a Verna Crdi AT. Any concrete dates on that?

ahuja365 · 18th January 2009, 13:58

The car definately deserves better respect than it currently gets.

appuchan · 19th January 2009, 09:54

The pricing doesnt look bad considering the features and its peers. See the pricing of SonataTransform in Delhi below. The petrol version is comparable to the high end Altis/Civic and CRDI seems to be comparable to low end Laura.

SONATA 2.4 VTVT(M/T): 13,90,000
SONATA 2.0 CRDI(MANUAL): 14,90,000
SONATA 2.0 CRDI(AUTOMATIC): 15,90,000

SkyWalker · 19th January 2009, 10:01

@appuchan - you mean bad or good? I see it well priced by Hyundai. They are bringing it down a level lower instead of taking Accord head on (and losing). Depending on how the CRDI auto performs it becomes a good VFM compared to Laura.

rohitrk · 19th January 2009, 16:05

Vid,

some correction to the list of extra features

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

Navinji, they've dropped the Embera name and now call it the Sonata transform.

The Transform now has the following extra features:

- Dual zone climate control
- Double DIN HU with Aux/IPOD/USB
- 6 speakers and a8" subwoofer in the rear parcel shelf.

6 Speakers and Subwoofer was standard earlier too.

- CRDI AT also has smart key with kepless ignition.
- Trip computer

Standard earlier too.

- Electro-chromic RVM

Standard earlier too.

- Gas struts for hood and boot so it does not eat into luggage area.

Standard earlier too
- 8 way power seats

Standard earlier too
- 2 airbags standard but curtain and side airbags can be added as option.

2 airbags were standard but no option for side airbags.

Vid6639 · 19th January 2009, 17:27

rohitrk, are you sure the brochure I have with me as well as the hyundai website and the press release say that for Rs.30K they will add the side airbags.

Yup the stuff you mentioned was standard earlier as well. I just listed out all the salient features which most cars in the same bracket don't have.

dockap · 19th January 2009, 20:34

this car was released close to 2 years ago in other countries in 2007
they have already released a new model in china

tadukuttan · 19th January 2009, 22:11

Is the Sonata available with the 150 bhp diesel outside India, or is this a specific tune for us? As is customary, I was searching for tuning boxes, and they seem to be for the old 140bhp version.

Google was not helping, thought somebody here might know...

Vid6639 · 19th January 2009, 22:26

Tadu, the one in australia makes the same amount as the one in India.

madan80 · 19th January 2009, 22:37

The embera was the only hyundai i liked. it had a good road presence and appeared planted firmly. Need to go and check this out sometime.

GTO · 20th January 2009, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

Hyundai refsed to budge from their then list price of 15L. Even when told that for 15L oen could get a Accord they refused to budge. I told the salesman that if they ever want to sell the car they'd have to offer atleast a 15% discount off the Accord.

Very true, the Sonata in pre-discount stage was priced too closely to the Accord. Plus, you take a double whammy at the time of resale (more so for the petrol version).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

All it lacked was snob value and image, I care two hoots for those.

Boy, wouldn't Hyundai wish there were more of you around!

17th January 2009, 23:51	#77
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	Navinji, they've dropped the Embera name and now call it the Sonata transform. The Transform now has the following extra features: - Dual zone climate control - Double DIN HU with Aux/IPOD/USB - 6 speakers and a8" subwoofer in the rear parcel shelf. - CRDI AT also has smart key with kepless ignition. - Trip computer - Electro-chromic RVM - Gas struts for hood and boot so it does not eat into luggage area. - 8 way power seats - 2 airbags standard but curtain and side airbags can be added as option.
	() Thanks

18th January 2009, 09:14	#80
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	There was a thread on Hyundai bringing a Verna Crdi AT. Any concrete dates on that?
	() Thanks

18th January 2009, 13:58	#81
ahuja365 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jamshedpur Posts: 216 Thanked: 16 Times	The car definately deserves better respect than it currently gets.
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 09:54	#82
appuchan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangy Posts: 642 Thanked: 27 Times	Pricing... The pricing doesnt look bad considering the features and its peers. See the pricing of SonataTransform in Delhi below. The petrol version is comparable to the high end Altis/Civic and CRDI seems to be comparable to low end Laura. SONATA 2.4 VTVT(M/T): 13,90,000 SONATA 2.0 CRDI(MANUAL): 14,90,000 SONATA 2.0 CRDI(AUTOMATIC): 15,90,000
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 10:01	#83
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	@appuchan - you mean bad or good? I see it well priced by Hyundai. They are bringing it down a level lower instead of taking Accord head on (and losing). Depending on how the CRDI auto performs it becomes a good VFM compared to Laura.
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 17:27	#85
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	rohitrk, are you sure the brochure I have with me as well as the hyundai website and the press release say that for Rs.30K they will add the side airbags. Yup the stuff you mentioned was standard earlier as well. I just listed out all the salient features which most cars in the same bracket don't have.
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 20:34	#86
dockap BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mangalore Posts: 868 Thanked: 478 Times View My Garage	this car was released close to 2 years ago in other countries in 2007 they have already released a new model in china
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 22:11	#87
tadukuttan BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 241 Thanked: 24 Times	Is the Sonata available with the 150 bhp diesel outside India, or is this a specific tune for us? As is customary, I was searching for tuning boxes, and they seem to be for the old 140bhp version. Google was not helping, thought somebody here might know...
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 22:26	#88
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	Tadu, the one in australia makes the same amount as the one in India.
	() Thanks

19th January 2009, 22:37	#89
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	The embera was the only hyundai i liked. it had a good road presence and appeared planted firmly. Need to go and check this out sometime.
	() Thanks