Ride & Handling, Steering - Hyundai Sonata Embera CRDi road test

Noisy but vibe-free, this engine is best suited to the highway.

Ride and Handling

The low-speed ride can be more compliant – it jars through expansion joints. The car feels big at low speed, which can be intimidating in traffic and narrow roads. The steering feels nicely weighted at high speed, but turn-in could be better. The lack of steering feedback could be due to the large tyres, which give you plenty of grip. The rear can pitch around off-camber corners with a full load at high speed. Straight-line stability is good, and bad patches cannot upset its composure. The Sonata rides on 215/60 R16 tyres, which give it very good ground clearance. The short front overhang prevents the chin from bottoming out in deep ruts.

Steering feedback/response

It may have a lot of power, but the Embera doesn't take to twisties like the Germans do. The steering wheel's mock wood finish makes it hard to grip if you're the kind who likes to keep your hands at ten-to-two or a quarter to three even in turns, and if you suffer from sweaty palms, watch out for a slipping wheel.

The car itself offers bucketloads of grip, but the feel at the helm is numb. Quick directional changes aren't this car's forte, either – it's a highway cruiser, not a corner carver.