As most American automotive brands have abandoned those drivers who still prefer sedans, there are other manufacturers who haven’t forgotten them.
One of them is Hyundai, which just released details of the revised eighth-generation 2024 Hyundai Sonata, and it’s likely to be the best-looking version yet of this midsize sedan.
A dwindling segment
The Sonata competes in a shrinking segment, with overall 2022 sales dropping 10% from 2021. Once America’s most-popular vehicle type, many mainstream manufacturers have pulled their entries, including Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mazda and Mitsubishi.
Chevrolet still has the Malibu, but they’re letting it slowly wither on the vine rather than make it a serious contender. So, in essence, Detroit has abandoned midsize car buyers, leaving the segment to Chevrolet (albeit half-heartedly), Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru and Volkswagen.
Hyundai sold 55,131 Sonatas last year, down 72.4% from the 199,408 units Hyundai sold five years earlier. Heck, even its cousin, the Kia K5 outsold the Sonata last year by 16.8%, moving 66,298 units. Of course, far fewer buyers opt for midsize sedans today, so every automaker now posts lower numbers year-over-year. But even so, it’s evident that the Sonata needed a revamp.
A new wardrobe
The big news is its design, which seems far more appealing with a sleek, contemporary appearance that goes far beyond what the sedan offers today.
Its low-slung nose gets up-to-the-minute horizontal LED lighting set above a massive black grille and air intake. It’s mirrored by a similar horizontal light out back, one that forms an H, not coincidentally.
Inside, you’ll find the Sonata is trimmed in black, or dark gray and greige two-tone, dark gray and camel two-tone, dark gray or navy two-tone and dark gray with red stitching and, on the N Line, red paint.
A large panoramic curved display incorporates two 12.3-inch displays, including a driver’s instrument cluster and an infotainment display. A 12-speaker Bose premium sound system is standard.
What’s under the hood
Beyond its wardrobe, Hyundai promises three engine options, including a new gasoline-powered 2.5-liter engine, a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine developed especially for the N Line, and a 2.0-liter hybrid electric powertrain that features a paddle shifter and regenerative braking mode for better fuel efficiency.
But the company didn’t provide any power or fuel efficiency figures. The company did say the Sonata’s exact specifications and features will differ by country, which will become available closed to launch.
The Sonata comes with a long list of driver assistance and safety features Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go with Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control Highway Driving Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist and Rear Occupant Alert.
Although the company also didn’t reveal pricing, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata starts $25,100 and tops out at $35,125 before options, taxes or destination charge. The 2024 Hyundai Sonata made its world premiere at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea Wednesday and is expected to go on sale later this year.
Hyundai’s next reveal will be the redesigned Kona and Kona Electric at the New York International Auto Show Wednesday morning.
Hard to believe that $25K would be considered cheap.