Hyundai Sonata SmartStream G2.5 - RM 206,888

The D-segment market may not be as hot as it once used to be, but HSDM has faith in it with the launch of all-new Hyundai Sonata.

In what seems like a massive leap forward for the Korean brand, Hyundai's eight-generation Sonata looks like a far more premium product than the Sonatas you may remember. In Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors is launching it in a singular variant - the SmartStream G2.5, priced at RM 206,888.

But if you're the first 50 owners to pick one of these D-segment sedans up, you can get it for the low introductory price of RM 189,888 - which is a pretty great deal. The Sonata is the first of Hyundai's models to use their Sensuous Sportiness Design language that provides a coupe-like roofline, with aggressive lines and fenders. The headlights even blend with the chrome trim that runs down the length of the bonnet for a truly exquisite look.

18-inch alloy wheels in a dual-tone finish help to highlight the overall size of the car, as well as rear tail lights that span the width of the boot, composed entirely of LED lights and garnished with chrome trim pieces. Small touches like the little vortex generators on the rear tail lights are not lost on us either.

Beating at the heart of the Sonata is a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated SmartStream engine - the label denotes development for better performnace, better efficiency, and lower emissions with 180 PS and 232 Nm on tap. The platform is based on third generation architecture, with best-in-class collision testing by US standards.

 
What's a mass market car without features? Features can make or break a product, and the Sonata isn't light on them. Keyless entry with push start, 8-way power adjustable drivers seats with two presets, one touch panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch high-resolution TFT LCD super cluster display and an 8-inch LCD touch screen head unit are just the top of the list.

There's also the 360 view camera, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, a blind side camera that appears in the cluster, a wireless charging system with ventilation, and three ways of opening the boot: promixity to the key, a touch button on the boot itself, and the button on the key fob itself.

We haven't yet had the chance to test drive this all-new model, but when we do you can expect our full review of the various features and all the ins and outs of the all-new Sonata.