2002 Hyundai Sonata GLX 2.7 from North America
Summary:
A BMW in Hyundai clothing?
Faults:
The rear chrome trim on the trunk started pitting, and was replaced under warranty at 28000 km.
The Clarion radio has been replaced three times. I have been notified by Hyundai that Clarion had supposedly fixed this problem after the first radio was replaced.
General Comments:
Driven many cars in this class - like the Pontiac Grand Am, Alero, Impala, Accord, Camry. Choose Hyundai as it was cheaper than the competition and came with many more features. It is also quieter than the competition on the highway (but generally has less acceleration power).
Also did a lot of research on reliability before I purchased this car. Consumer reports ranked the Hyundai Sonata ahead of even the Toyota Camry this year (Hyundai had a predicted above average reliability and Toyota had an average reliability ranking).
I would strongly suggest this car to anyone thinking of purchasing one.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th October, 2003
7th Nov 2006, 10:57
Had the Sonata for 5 years now and it still drives like new. There is some minor lag on the shifting, but with 140km's on it I think its holding up quite well.
In total I replaced 7 car radios, the upgraded Clarion unit broke as well and so I purchased an Alpine. Haven't had any issues with it so far. The burning smell turned out to be the alternator, this was also replaced at that time.
Since then, the only other part I had to replace was the starter motor which was covered under an extended warranty.
My main complaint with the car now is that the paint is very cheap. It chips very easily and so the car is beginning to rust. The aluminum wheels, even though taken off for the winter, have completely corroded and look awful. The other complaint I have is with the brakes. The rotors are very thin and warp easily, and the brake pads do not last long. I ended up going to Midas at about 60k km's and the pads are still with me at 140k! However, I have had the front rotors machined once, then replaced twice and the rears replaced once.
Overall I am happy with the Sonata, knock on wood, hopefully most of the growing pains have passed and it will continue to be a reliable car.
1st Oct 2010, 14:17
Car now has 225,000km, only issue since my last update was the brakes always needing replacing. Also had to replace the struts on the car, which I found out is supposed to be done every 100k. Other than that, no other problems to complain about, the car still runs like new!
17th Jan 2004, 12:40
I completed the review above.
Now at approx 40k km, the rear defrost has stopped working periodically, and the electrical problem light flickers. As well, there is a burning smell from the heater, it smells like burning plastic. I have to take the car in for this.
I am still pleased with this car, but am beginning to doubt its reliability.