Exterior - Hyundai Sonata Embera CRDi road test

Understated lines and perfect proportions will appeal to everyone.

Exterior

The Sonata Embera has a balanced exterior, but it is too understated. The grille evoked negative comments from a few but the headlamps are admirable. The slim A-pillar blossoms and leads to the chunky C-pillar. It has bold, chunky lines, a high waist and powerful flanks. The short front overhang and muscular rear flanks give it a sporty, aggressive stance and the short bootlid with the tapered C pillar hide the rear metal mass quite effectively. The rear is also not loved by some because the tail-lamps seemed like a copy of the seventh-generation Honda Accord’s when it was launched.

The Sonata’s shutlines are good, and all its surfaces are well-finished. The metallic paint doesn’t have enough depth to make it stand out in a crowd – which it should have, since it’s got so much metal mass to cover. The Sonata’s design was meant to appeal to the masses, and it does that well – it is never out of proportion from any angle. This very mass-appeal rends it nondescript among its peers, but it certainly stands out in black due to the chrome being better highlighted.