Segment: Medium
Production years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Three years after the Sonata's fourth generation was introduced, the Korean automaker tried to improve it with a facelifted version that lasted for another three years.
Hyundai tried to learn as fast as possible how to develop new vehicles and improve the ones it had already launched. One of them was the fourth generation of the Sonata, which the automaker introduced in 1998 and improved in 2001. Customers appreciated the initial model for its rich equipment and comfortable rides. Still, they didn't like the car's exterior. Furthermore, they also considered that two engines were not enough for such a vehicle, so the automaker doubled down on that matter and made its buyers happy. Last but not least, the extensive warranty was the best in the U.S. It covered five years bumper to bumper and 100,000 miles (160,000 km) for the drivetrain. The car suddenly became very attractive for fleets and especially for rental companies.
While the non-facelifted version was blamed for its bland, uninspired design, it was 100 percent original. The 2001 model year came with a front fascia that resembled the one from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203). However, the grille between them, even though it was integrated into the hood, like on that German premium vehicle, featured vertical slats instead of horizontal ones. The lower bumper was also redesigned, sporting a reversed trapezoidal-shaped air intake in the middle flanked by side scoops that housed round fog lamps supported by horizontal slats (like the AMG versions of the same C-Class).
Since the automaker had to install new front fenders to match the redesigned headlights, it could fix the mistake with the creased lines over them above the wheel arches. As a result, they were smoother and matched the curvatures of the front doors. The creased lines remained in place over the rear doors and quarter panels. But those were fine. At the back, the 2001 Hyundai Sonata sported wider taillights that didn't echo the look of the headlights, and the satin-chromed horizontal slat that sported the vehicle's nameplate was removed. It was a triumph for the automaker's styling department, and the car finally had a composed design, even though it wasn't that original.
Inside, there were also other adjustments. The dashboard's overall design was kept since it was adequate, but the center stack was adorned by a digital clock between the center vents, and a display showed the information for the automatic climate control unit. There was also an area where the design team found an excellent recipe, and that was for the instrument cluster. It featured large dials for the speedometer and tachometer while the fuel level and temperature gauges were placed between them on their upper area.
Since the Y4 platform was already good, the automaker focused more on drivetrains. In addition to the two-liter and 2.5-liter units, the automaker also added 2.4- and 2.7-liter engines. All four powerplants were developed by Hyundai and sent their power to the front wheels only via either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic with manual override, named Shiftronic.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4AT FWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5800 RPM 136 HP @ 5800 RPM 134 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 133 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 180 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 114 mph (183 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/65 VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3082.6 lbs (1398 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 17.6 mpg US (13.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (136 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 5800 RPM 136 HP @ 5800 RPM 134 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 133 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 180 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 116.8 mph (188 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/65 VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3082.6 lbs (1398 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 214 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.4L 4AT FWD (146 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2351 cm3 |
Power: | 107 KW @ 5500 RPM 145 HP @ 5500 RPM 143 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 148 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 200 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3102.4 lbs (1407 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.2 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 221 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.4L 5MT FWD (146 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2351 cm3 |
Power: | 107 KW @ 5500 RPM 145 HP @ 5500 RPM 143 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 148 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 200 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3102.4 lbs (1407 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.2 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 221 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L 4AT FWD (160 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2493 cm3 |
Power: | 118 KW @ 6000 RPM 160 HP @ 6000 RPM 158 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 170 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM 230 Nm @ 3750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 224 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.7L 4AT FWD (178 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2656 cm3 |
Power: | 131 KW @ 6000 RPM 178 HP @ 6000 RPM 176 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 182 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 247 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 125.5 mph (202 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3102.4 lbs (1407 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 245 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.7L 5MT FWD (178 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2656 cm3 |
Power: | 131 KW @ 6000 RPM 178 HP @ 6000 RPM 176 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 182 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 247 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 125.5 mph (202 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.9 in (4747 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 56 in (1422 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/60.2 in (1,539/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.9 cuFT (394 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3102.4 lbs (1407 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4454.1 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 245 g/km |