SONATA: A CRESCENDO OF
SOPHISTICATED STYLING

Designed with the discerning customer in mind, Sonata offers style and elegance typically found only in a much more expensive vehicle. Its refinements and sophistication are clear proof that "It's a Whole New Hyundai."    The company's efforts to produce appealing, dependable cars at the best possible value to its customers are evident in its entire 1998 product line offering. For example, luxury touches found in the 1998 Sonata exceed common expectations for the mid-size sedan segment buyer.  The 1998 Sonata boasts a highly contemporary appearance as well as refined suspension and handling characteristics.   Strong character lines on the hood which converge in a "V" fashion around the ellipsoid-shaped compact-sized grille and flow dramatically into the one-piece bumper make a bold design statement. Flanking the grille are smooth form reflector headlamps encased in semi-circular lenses. The headlamps not only impart a high-tech look, but also offer the benefit of a tighter, better focused beam for improved forward illumination.   Body color-keyed molding, running from front to rear, provides a sense of smooth visual continuity along the Sonata's waistline. GLS models receive a chromed molding with chromed inserts.  A delicate arch to the rear deck surface imparts a voluminous sense and then drops to form a smooth, well-defined edge. Just under the rear deck surface, a light concave line runs parallel to the edge providing a subtle interplay of concave and convex lines. The softly curved contours of the wraparound bumper provide visual range which evokes a strong solid feel. The broad, angular cut of the rear combination lamps imparts dynamic qualities while the three corners, alternately sharp and rounded, contribute to the neat, organized appearance of the entire rear end.

REFINED INTERIOR - Buy The Sonata Here

Hyundai designers have gone to great lengths to improve the noise, vibration and harshness characteristics of the Sonata. Flush-fitting doors and restyled side mirrors are examples of aerodynamic refinements that help cut wind noise and create a pleasantly quiet ride. Critical areas such as the center floor pan contain thick insulation pads to seal out road and tire noise.  Engine vibration and noise are minimized by the use of effective sound deadening material in the engine firewall and hood panel. A liquid-filled engine mount for the V-6 model and additional insulation in the lower cowl and floor areas help reduce interior noise. Vibrations transmitted from the crankshaft to the engine block are sharply reduced by the use of beam bearing caps.   Interior refinements also include steering wheel mounted audio remote control switches and a horn button that is integrated into the horn pad cover. An ergonomically designed instrument panel and controls help the driver keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Intelligent placement of gauges and controls keep the driver alert, informed and in full control while comfortable seats and a quiet interior provide for an overall pleasurable driving experience.

SUPERIOR HANDLING - Buy The Sonata Here

The Sonata delivers a great combination of ride and handling features with a long wheelbase of 106.3 inches, and wide track of 59.6 inches in the front and 59.1 inches at the rear. The vehicle's independent suspension incorporates MacPherson struts matched to coil springs in the front, combined with a 22 mm stabilizer bar. Calibrated wheel alignment and a rigid stabilizer bar help reduce the tendency of the car to squat under acceleration (rise in the front and fall in the rear) and dive under braking.  Improved ride quality is achieved through a rear suspension that consists of retuned spring and shock absorber rates and upgraded rear trailing arm bushings. The rear suspension's negative camber reduces the tendency to lift a wheel under abrupt turning maneuvers.  The Sonata utilizes a speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion system. At low speeds the power assist boost is high, allowing for easy parking and low-speed maneuvers. Steering effort increases at higher speeds providing enhanced control. With its high fluid capacity, the system assures a smooth response under the most severe conditions. 

POWERTRAIN - Buy The Sonata Here

The Sonata is offered with either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine. The four-cylinder is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission with clutch/starter interlock as standard equipment. Standard on the V-6 is a 4-speed automatic transmission that is a 32-bit, computer-controlled unit featuring adaptive control which actually "tunes in" to the driver's habits optimizing shift points for his or her driving style and ever-changing road conditions.  The standard four-cylinder engine has twin-spray fuel injectors. This design helps the engine produce 137 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 129 Ib./ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. For ease in driving, the torque is available over a wide range of rpm.   The optional single overhead cam 3.0-liter V-6 engine offers 142 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 168 lb./ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. In addition, the 3.0-liter V-6 has platinum-tipped spark plugs to provide lower maintenance and emissions. Outstanding driveability results from the low rpm torque peak and wider torque band, far lower and wider than all its competitors.

SAFETY FEATURES - Buy The Sonata Here

Sonata abounds with safety features like supplemental airbags, side-beam impact protection, an anti-lock braking system, an energy absorbing steering column and a reinforced steel frame that improves the overall rigidify of the vehicle.   The body's structural design absorbs collision forces through the use of front and rear crumple zones which deform progressively, absorbing much of the impact energy to protect driver and passengers. In addition, the Sonata's automatic transmission with shift interlock helps prevent accidental shifting into gear without applying the brake pedal. Smooth form reflector headlamps offer the benefit of a tight, focused beam to provide improved forward illumination.  Offered as an option on the Sonata, Hyundai's full-featured four-sensor, four channel anti-lock braking system senses and responds to all four wheels individually rather than treating the rear wheels as a single unit which is typical of many competitors. This advanced braking system provides improved driving stability and control in a variety of driving conditions.  The Sonata's responsive independent suspension enables the driver to have better control of the vehicle in the event of sudden abrupt maneuvers. The wide wheelbase is one of the primary reasons for this improved control and serves to enhance handling and ride comfort.

WARRANTY - Buy The Sonata Here

Hyundai offers all Sonata owners a comprehensive warranty and roadside assistance program at no cost. The program includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-tobumper limited warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/100,000-mile corrosion coverage. The roadside assistance program goes beyond what most competitors offer, and includes emergency towing, lock-out service and limited trip interruption expenses as well.

ENVIROMENTALLY SOUND - Buy The Sonata Here

In its resolve to protect the environment, Hyundai has completely eliminated asbestos and ozone depleting chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs) from the Sonata manufacturing process. The vehicle also utilizes a CFC-free refrigerant in the air conditioning and all plastic parts in the car are now stamped with internationally-accepted identifying symbols to facilitate recycling.  Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through nearly 500 dealerships nationwide.

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