The Android Hyundai Sonata

The fluidic Hyundai Sonata will go into the history book as a lesson where the curvy design is not timeless, yet could only last the first wow, second wow...then The End!!!  The latest incarnation of the Sonata has now been redesign with less curve, where styling is now almost and nearly to the taste of its Japanese competitor.  

However, a Hyundai is still a Hyundai, and the continuance of the previous Nu 2.0-litre (152hp/195Nm) engine is the first big mistake, further using the now Hyundai-Kia standard 6-speed transmission, even further proof our local distributor is trying to maximize profit and to keep the cost low.  The direct injection engine used in the i40 is much better in technology and refinement, and it is now year end to get discount that could almost match the price of the new Sonata!

The interior os the Sonata has no surprise, inheriting the norm of Hyundai, with no surprise for the D-segment.  Simple layout, functional, with a dual zone aircon control.  The steering wheel is loaded with button, which could be messy, and instead of paddle shifter, the audio button extend to the back of the steering wheel, which is a convenience!

The Android-powered head unit is a first, especially it has Waze preloaded as navigation.  However, one need to have a data plan on your phone, enable Wi-Fi tethering/sharing for the unit to be useful.  This could be the best useful feature and improvement of the Sonata.  Let's hope the player CPU is powerful enough to ease the usage.  There are just too many similar China-made Android-based player in the market which is so slow, with a lousy screen that is a frustration to use.

3 models are available, with the elegance basic unit selling at RM139k, which comes with lesser airbags and smaller 17" wheels, and the elegance unit at RM145k for additional airbags, anti-dazzle rear view mirror, dash camera, the android head unit.  The Executive model, which cost RM153k, comes with a lot more extra such as Active cornering light, 18" wheels, Xenon HID headlights, passenger power seat, panoramic roof.

A short drive of the Sonata shows that the rigidity improvement of it, though the engine is in no way to claim as powerful.  NVH is good, and the Android sound system lack refinement, which is a trade off.  As with its brother from Kia, the Sonata comes with 3 drive modes, which is Normal, Sport and Active Eco.  Forget about the rest, the Sport mode is what you would want to have the car permanently set it.  It drives much better with a remapped throttle, maximizing the power of the engine.

In summary, Hyundai has been losing to its own brother company, where Kia under the Naza stewardship, has perform much better.  The Sonata could win by a leap against the Optima, as it is new and fresh and comes with 5 Years/300,000km manufacturer warranty.  The powertrain warranty is even extended to 8 years, which is an industry first, though this is an insurance warranty which could carry a lot of terms and conditions which might not make sense after owning a Korean car for 5 years.  The maintenance cost by Hyundai Sime Darby could be expensive to keep the warranty running.  With low volume of sales, the Sonata will be fully imported from Korea.

French SUV...The Renault Koleos

If you wanted a continental SUV, the choice is limited, and here you have the 2.5-litre 2WD Renault Koleos, of which is not cheap, difficult to maintain, but bear the diamond logo which some niche owner would love to have.  The conservative Tan Chong should just bring back the Kangoo instead, so that the brand could gain some mass market visibility instead of the Koleos which only invite that few customers.  The Koleos is so difficult to even spot any on the road, as the OTR price of RM181k is not for everyone to swallow.  The Honda CRV is always the popular choice.   At 170hp/226Nm, the Koleos' power looks low for the high displacement engine, and the 2WD only option make it a crossover instead of a full SUV.  The Nissan-sourced CVT gearbox is as un-interesting for a French car.

The interior of the Koleos is very Renault, which is simple and boring.  The key card push start is annoying and difficult for the pocket.  The most interesting is the Bose audio system, and the 7" screen with TomTom navigation is a plus.  Safety equipment is always the strong selling point for any French automobile, where it is loaded with all round airbags, stability control, hill start assist, blind spot monitoring, etc.

Usually the French makes beautiful cars, and Renault Megane and Clio are as beautiful in their segments.  But the Koleos is lacking in the design department.  The overall Koleos is not up to what one would expect, similar to the Fluence we have here, which is 2 years outdated.  If you really want a continental SUV...search elsewhere...maybe Peugeot offering is much better, and the support availability in Malaysia is easier as well.  For Renault, it would be good if Tan Chong could remain focus with their Renault Sport product instead!

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.46/litre & RM2.26/litre respectively

Oil price has been dropping and dropping, where the word "subsidy" has been eliminated from the Malaysia political term.  From Dec 1, 2014 onward, petrol prices will be based on a managed float, thus the manifesto dicapati!  What about car taxes?  Will it be lower?  Looks like not on the near term, could not dicapati!  Most manufacturers have lower down specifications or have CKD models or increase the local contents, to give the false impression that car prices has gone down.  But sadly, NO!  Want some discount now, good time to help clear some year end stock where most manufacturers are slashing few thousands off to get rid of 2014 vehicles now!

A MINI 5-door, is this right?

A MINI 5-door?  The MINI Countryman is already not a MINI, but MAXI!!!  Now...now...MINI has made a 5-door variant?  Yes, this could be politically incorrect in the history of MINI, but it is now German instead of English, where the Berlin wall could fall and English still love their gossips of the royal families.  It is the innovator vs. the traditionalist, and it is the reason behind the MINI "fall" into the hand of the Deutschland.  The MINI 5-door is 16cm longer...oh...that is a lot, and most noticeable is off course the 2 additional rear doors.  For all MINI lovers, once they open the door, the first disappointment will be the framed door window, which is similar to the Countryman.  Frameless windows on the original MINI is what give it a sporty feel.  Anyway, the 5-door MINI is not for motoring sport craze fans, but for the father/mother that still need to fetch their young kids to school.  Oh, yes, the rear, though could sit 3, it is only good for young kids below 5, and it is for distance not exceeding 50km.  The claustrophobic while at the back of the this MINI has been minimized, but not completely eliminated...at least a bit of the MINI tradition has been carried forward to this model.

The interior of the MINI 5-door is similar to standard MINI Cooper 3-door, although the variant available is a Cooper S.  Priced at RM238,888, this is not the fully loaded Cooper S Wired edition one can get, but for a 5-door family MINI, it should suffice.  What is lacking is the larger MINI Connected screen and touch controller and some other comfy items.  The 2 additional doors are asking for extra RM10,000 from your bank.  If you really want a MINI, get the 3-door version, as at the same price, it is equipped with everything you need in a MINI Cooper S.  Of course, for all Cooper S, it is pulled by a new 2.0-litre engine, capable of of 192hp/280Nm of power.

Looking at the side profile, one could start condemning the 5-door MINI.  The elongated tail make it look real awkward, much like an after thought from the original design.  Start thinking when you use an image editor and lengthen the MINI 3-door image out of proportion, there you go, a MINI 5-door, which now provides a usable boot volume...hmmm...don't think it will fit a golf bag without flattening the rear seat still.

Still want a 5-door MINI...the Countryman could be the better choice, but it is awaiting for the a refresh.  Forget about this MINI 5-door, as it will only look good when view from the front and back.  The side profile...is just plain ugly!

The Baby SUV, Mercedes GLA 200

Yes, the baby SUV or urban SUV finally is becoming the latest trend for 2014, with Peugeot 2008 making its appearance earlier of the year, follow by Ford Ecosport, and now ending the year with the luxurious Mercedes GLA!  Now that car manufacturers had noticed that the crossover tag was confusing, thus decided to re-use the SUV category in this segment.  It is also known that most urban people seldom need a real offroad vehicle, but style and functional are the priorities.  In coming year of 2015, there shall be more similar segment SUV coming on board, such as the Mazda CX-3, joining the mid-end competition.

The GLA share the same platform from the A-class, where the similarity in the front styling, and the identical interior.  Of course, being a SUV, though mini in size, it sits higher and larger, with good interior space for this segment of vehicle.  Notably, the boot is huge, which is good for the occasional golf sessions, and definitely good enough for a family trip to Cameron Highland.  The power boot provides additional convenience, which makes the GLA ladies friendly as well.  However, the muscular look of it could turn the elegancancia girls away.  The boot lid integrates the rear view camera, which will lower itself when Reverse gear is being engaged, NICE!

The GLA 200 is powered by the similar turbocharged 1.6-litre engine from the A-Class, which produces 156hp/250Nm of power, which makes this a comfortable SUV.  If one need more power, the GLA 250 with a 2.0-litre engine (211hp/350Nm) is available, and the 4MATIC all-wheel drive make it value for the additional RM30k from the GLA 200, which is priced at RM239k.  Both variants are equipped with the 7G-DCT dual clutch gearbox.

The interior, as mentioned, is exactly similar to the A-class, retaining the sporty southward pointing meter cluster, with the gear stalk mounted on to the steering column as well.  Except for the small little screen, the dashboard design could be perfect.  Mercedes should bring the screen from the C-class to the GLA.  The seats are wrapped in ARTICO leather with fabric insert, which further add to the sporty impression.  18" run-flat wheels roll the GLA 200 and 19" on the GLA 250.  From the standard Yokohama C-Drive2 fitted on the GLA 200 could means Mercedes is making it a comfortable and economy SUV, that shall bring smile to the owner.

The GLA finally completes the full range of vehicles from the 3-pointed-star!  It now have good competitive product to take on the market, which is now dominated mainly by the VW Tiguan, BMW X1 and Audi Q3.  Of course, with the Mercedes name and latest design, the GLA will surely beat all of them!  Waiting period could be 3 - 4 months, which is much better than the unrealistic CLA which takes 1 year of queueing period.  A lot could change in a year time! 

1% deposit will put you in the queue for the GLA if you like the baby SUV.  If hatch is still your choice, the A-class looks as fresh still, though the facelift model should be arriving in 2015!

RON97 is now @ RM2.55/litre

The crude oil price is at its lowest now, thus naturally, petrol price should be lowered and here you have it, with RON97 adjusted to RM2.55/litre, a good RM0.20 drop!

Government has just announced that starting Dec 1, 2014, RON95 will cease to be subsidized.  That's good news, but when Malaysian could enjoy lower priced car?  MANIFESTO BULLSHIT!

For the adventurous girlie, the Range Rover Evoque

No girl would ever want a SUV, especially the boxy and squarish design from land Rover.  Then in 2011, Land Rover launched the Evoque, that shocked the world.  The men and husbands rush to the showroom to put down their cheques for the sexy and unconventional SUV.  From every angle, the Evoque looks as if it had jumped out from those popular fashion magazines, needless of any attention, but hearts and souls were naturally attracted to it!  Since then, the Evoque has sold in bulk of hundred thousands yearly worldwide, and could be the model that turn around the company.  Now, this is not a soccer mum SUV, but it is for the young and trendy urban professional, and of course, in Malaysia, useful to counter our ever rapid coming flash flood!  To me, it is extremely sexy to see a lady alighting from the Evoque!  For those guys attracted to it, come on, go get a real Range Rover Discovery, and save the Evoque for the mistresses.

Powering the Evoque is a 2.0-litre Si4 engine, mated to 9-speed auto box.  No, not a typo here, it indeed uses a state of the art 9-speed gearbox, producing 237hp/340Nm of power.  One could argue about the engine size, but hey, a sexy machine is meant to be driven on the urban road, instead of any off road, and most will agree that the sexy Evoque does not deserve any scratches or mud on its face!  This is a car that need the tender loving care, to fit in with the beautiful owner. Starting from RM400k, the Evoque is not for everyone, but anyhow, Land Rover has no intention to serve the ordinary, and even the Defender is not a cheap SUV, though its offroad capability has always been incredible.

The Evoque is available is 3-door or 5-door models, where during the early days, the 3-door model made up majority of the number, but the more practical 5-door model now dominate the market as it is what a SUV should be.  The 3-door model is too inconvenient for most owner.  The Evoque is a car for the ladies gang to go shopping together, and some hi-tea session!  One would not like to climb in with their dress mess-up!

Of course, as luxury the Evoque could get, it is equipped with everything, even perpendicular parking will be done automatically.  Besides the standard all round airbags, it has knee and thorax airbags as well, ensuring protection to everyone on board on the SUV.  Although with Tata as its parent company, the Land Rover has not degrade in its tradition of having the perfect built quality.  For peace of mind, the Evoque is covered by 5-year warranty and free maintenance.  Attractive...all the girlies, look this way, forget about the BMW X-Series, the Evoque will always be the head turner!  I like it more if you are dress in white!