Owner’s Senorita on the Roads, yes! This 2022 Hyundai Sonata 2.5 is a premium D-segment sedan that stands out on Pakistani roads. The vehicle, owned and thoughtfully modified by an enthusiast, features a full N-Line body kit, custom wheels, and air suspension—all carefully selected to elevate both style and road presence. With its blend of Korean engineering and subtle JDM design elements, the Sonata presents itself as a unique build that balances daily comfort with visual flair. This review offers insight into how personalization can transform an already capable sedan into something truly distinctive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Unique build – one of the few customized Sonatas in Pakistan.
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High-quality modifications like air suspension and the N-Line kit maintain comfort and reliability.
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Visually striking with TE37-style bronze rims and Nardo Grey wrap.
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Comfortable for long drives, both with friends and family.
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Good resale value on parts like air suspension.
Cons:
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Limited tuning options compared to turbocharged alternatives like the Civic RS.
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Aftermarket parts are expensive and less available, especially for suspension and body kits.
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Misses the aggressive exhaust note found in performance-tuned cars (though partially addressed with dual tips).
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Going for turbo or full N-Line performance upgrades would be too costly and complex.
Make, Model & Variant
He purchased this car in 2022. It’s the Hyundai Sonata 2.5, which at that time was the full-option variant.
Car Conversion & Modifications
This was initially used as a family car. He had previously modified a Red Civic but switched to a 2022 Sonata 2.5.
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Installed remote start,
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Added aftermarket rims (Scarlet rims, same PCD as Civic),
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Installed a body kit (N-Line kit) with front and rear bumpers,
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Sourced parts through Mega Motors,
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Grill and spoiler customized.
He attempted to give it a mix of JDM and Korean styling. Unlike Civics, the Sonata has fewer aftermarket accessories, and original parts are expensive (e.g., headlights cost PKR 3+ lakhs).
Interior Upgrades
Interior changes include:
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Ambient lighting, especially above the sunroof, with a new starlight-style layout.
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No modifications to the stock headlights, as they’re already beautiful.
Fuel Average
- Currently gives about 12 to 12.5 km/l with heavy foot driving.
- Initially, it used to give around 10 km/l, partly due to heavier stock rims and tire profiles.
- With lighter 7.5 kg rims and 215/40/R18 tires, performance and average have both improved.
On highways, it can reach 15–16 km/l, even with 4 passengers onboard.
Road Trips & Comfort
The owner has taken the Sonata to Nathia Gali multiple times, both with friends and family, and mentions that the car handled the trip effortlessly. Despite having lowered air suspension, the car had no issues on long drives, showing it’s both reliable and comfortable. He specifically pointed out that if you install quality parts, the ride remains smooth, even with modifications.
Air Suspension Reliability
Compared to his Civic, where air suspension had frequent boot leaks every couple of months. The Sonata has been reliable so far, even when driven at a lower ride height.
He opted for high-quality air suspension components and hasn’t faced any leaks or failures yet.
Performance, Air Ride & Exhaust
The owner shares that even with aggressive driving and highway air time, the air suspension has performed reliably, with no leaks or failures so far. He mentions using the same brand of air suspension previously in his Civic as well, and it never gave him issues.
Remarkably, after using the setup for nearly two years, he was able to sell it at the same price he bought it for, proving both its quality and resale value. He’s also added Akrapovič-style dual exhaust tips, giving the Sonata a sportier sound under throttle, without making it overly loud during normal cruising.
The car’s handling is very stable, even around curves at 180 km/h.
He also added:
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Dual exhaust tips with Akrapovič styling
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Slight sound tuning (not too loud, just enough under throttle)
Customization Uniqueness
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The owner highlights that Civic modifications are common, but custom Sonatas are rare, making his build stand out.
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He gave the car a Japanese-Korean fusion look, combining TE37-style bronze rims with a Nardo Grey wrap.
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The same color and rim theme was applied to his RVO, creating a matching car couple.
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He intentionally chose a color and style not commonly seen on Sonatas in Pakistan, adding to its uniqueness.
Comparison: Civic Turbo vs Sonata
Many people ask whether to buy a new Civic Turbo or the Sonata in the same price range.
As a former Civic owner, he says:
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Civic Turbo can be tuned easily, whereas the Sonata’s 2.5 NA engine can’t.
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Sonata has better features like a heads-up display and comfort.
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Civic is slightly better regarding ADAS features (lane assist, auto drive).
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He personally prefers the Sonata for its ride quality and seating comfort.
Maintenance & Running Costs
Contrary to belief, Sonata’s maintenance is not drastically more expensive than the Civic’s:
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Civic oil change: PKR 12–13k
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Sonata oil change: PKR 15–16k
The only issue is parts availability—Sonata parts are imported and less commonly stocked.
Air suspension components also needed to be specially ordered.
Final Thoughts
When asked if he’d choose the Sonata again over a brand-new Civic, the owner confidently says yes—and for good reason. This Sonata is already fully customized to his taste, offering a perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality. It performs reliably, looks unique on the road, and hasn’t demanded the kind of compromises often associated with modified cars.
Though he did consider going for something more performance-focused, like an Evo, he ultimately backed off due to concerns about reliability and daily usability. For now, the Sonata stands as a complete project—one that balances personal flair with everyday comfort. It’s a rare example of a D-segment sedan that’s both functional and fun, making it a satisfying long-term choice in his garage.
