2001 Hyundai Sonata 2.7L 5MT FWD (178 HP)

Vehicle Overview

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.