At any international business conference, the folks who talk the loudest are probably the Americans, who’ll be introducing themselves to everyone there. Meanwhile, the Japanese and Koreans are more likely to be speaking in hushed tones and staying within their own circles. These characteristics can also be observed with the three cars we’ve gathered here.
The most established business saloon in this story is the Nissan Teana. Like the archetypal Japanese businessman, it is quiet and polite. But it is also more “driven” than its predecessor, which prioritises comfort above driveability.
The Chevrolet Malibu is American in designation and design, with style elements from its all-Yankee Chevy sibling, the Camaro coupe. For the easygoing towkay whose work-like is a Californian beach, the Malibu is a worthy option.
The latest Hyundai Sonata is no taxi. Compared to the previous model (cab and passenger car alike), this new automotive composition from South Korea is sleeker, nicer to drive and much better equipped.
Now that we’ve introduced the international delegates, let’s get this business meeting started!
Chevrolet’s “American businessman” in this Group Test is hard to ignore. Apart from its sporty looks, the nifty amenities and punchy powertrain also ensure that the Malibu stands out in Singapore’s mid-size segment. The towkay might be able to live with the Chevy’s cabin constraints, but his accountant would baulk at the price, which is $14k higher than the Teana’s and $11.6k more than the Sonata’s (as of April 2015).
The Nissan Teana could have been the most impressive business saloon here. It offers the classiest ride quality, plus the most commodious and comfortable cabin. Its only drawbacks are its relatively relaxed performance and unexpectedly small boot, which would deter the towkay who tends to rush from one appointment to another (be it golf-related or corporate).
Matching up to the Teana is the Hyundai Sonata. This newcomer’s well-made and practical interior, along with its responsive drivetrain and unique features, make up for its average headroom and rather basic audio system.
The Korean and Japanese reps are the two saloons in this story that do an equally good job of making the Singaporean businessman sign on the dotted line.
SPECIFICATIONS
Chevrolet Malibu 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 2384cc
BORE X STROKE 88mm x 98mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.4:1
MAX POWER 167bhp at 5800rpm
MAX TORQUE 225Nm at 4600rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 108.5bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 9.7 seconds
TOP SPEED 206km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.8km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 187g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
SIZE 245/45 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 4
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4865mm
WIDTH 1855mm
HEIGHT 1465mm
WHEELBASE 2737mm
KERB WEIGHT 1539kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.4m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $152,999
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Strongest engine, surest handling, most attractive dashboard
– Highest sticker price, least spacious backseat, least useful boot
* BEST OF THE THREE IN PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 1999cc
BORE X STROKE 81mm x 97mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1
MAX POWER 157bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 196Nm at 4000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 108.3bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 11.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 200km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.5km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 186g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Kumho Solus XC
SIZE 215/55 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4855mm
WIDTH 1865mm
HEIGHT 1475mm
WHEELBASE 2805mm
KERB WEIGHT 1450kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.9m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $141,399
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Tightest build quality, most practical cabin, competitive pricing
– Relative thirst for fuel, hi-fi not high spec, lowest headroom
* BEST OF THE THREE IN DRIVEABILITY
SPECIFICATIONS
Nissan Teana 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 1997cc
BORE X STROKE 84mm x 90.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 136bhp at 5600rpm
MAX TORQUE 190Nm at 4400rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 92.5bhp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 12.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 190km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.5km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 177g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Michelin Primacy LC
SIZE 215/55 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION AIDS ABS, VDC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4875mm
WIDTH 1830mm
HEIGHT 1490mm
WHEELBASE 2775mm
KERB WEIGHT 1470kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.4m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $138,800
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Most shiok seats, smoothest transmission, price keeps overheads low
– Least energetic performance, no manual override for CVT, boot not big
* BEST OF THE THREE IN COMFORT
