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"Back and ready for battle."
"Back and ready for battle."
Hyundai introduced the midsize Sonata back in 1985 to go head-on with the established Japanese competition well known as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and the Sonata has always been known for its excellent value proposition and offering features that some competition doesn't even offer. Now in its eighth generation, Hyundai decided its time for them to send out a shockwave.
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing applies to 2020 model year Sonata.
SE
SE
MSRP $23,400
MSRP $23,400
SEL
SEL
MSRP $25,500
MSRP $25,500
SEL Plus
SEL Plus
MSRP $27,450
MSRP $27,450
Limited
Limited
MSRP $33,300
MSRP $33,300
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
The sixth generation of the Sonata was well known for its bold and futuristic styling, but for the seventh generation, Hyundai went a much more conservative route and fans begged Hyundai to put some of that character back into the eighth generation. And that they did. For the eighth generation, the Sonata gets a lot more aggressive and has lots of sporting elements around the entire car. LED headlights are standard across the board (a first for Hyundai), there's no fog lights on the new Sonata, but they are replaced by these sweet-looking air inlets (that are fake). A lot of people have said the new Sonata looks like a catfish, and I do have to agree, but I think Hyundai did an exceptional job redesigning the Sonata.
The Sonata also has a neat little quirk. Around the "Dynamic Lasso", the chrome strip runs from the most inner part of the headlights, all the way back and wrapping around the windows, which is a signature design touch that was introduced on the sixth generation and has been a part of the design ever since. But there's a small portion of the chrome strip that has pre-measured holes in it that the LED DRL extends into, and creates a fading effect up the hood, which is one of the quirkiest things I've ever seen in the automotive industry. When the DRLs are off, it looks just like a normal chrome accent strip.
Hyundai's design motto for the new Sonata is called "Sensuous Sportiness", and there's no part of the design of the car that goes against it! You'll find some really sharp body lines and a more fastback roof profile, as well as a long hood. In addition, the Sonata looks more like a RWD sedan than a FWD due to the longer hood. The door handles are unique because it implements Hyundai's first ever Hyundai Digital Key that we will go into in the Technology section. The Sonata fits right in with the segment when it comes to dimensions, so I'm not going to go into depth with it.
My first complaint with the new Sonata is the wheels. All trims have these really weird and overwhelming wheel designs that it just doesn't fit right on the Sonata, especially the Limited trim's wheel choice. I think a more simpler wheel option like the 19-inch rims from the Tucson would fit the Sonata much better, but they aren't really too bad that you'll end up puking your guts out.
The Sonata starts to steal a bit of Honda Civic out back here with the C-shaped taillights. All trims of the Sonata come with full LED taillights, but an incandescent backup light, and the Sonata gets some design influence from the Elantra with a black painted lower section of the bumper. Hyundai also pioneered the clean look of the previous generation Sonata by integrating the trunk release into the Hyundai emblem, in which the button is rubberized and flexible and also is exceptionally blended in (there's like no difference in the finish), in which you push it and the trunk opens up to a large 16.3 cubic feet of trunk space, just 0.4 cubic feet shy of the Accord, which has the most trunk space of the class.
Honda Accord
16.7
16.7
Hyundai Sonata
16.3
16.3
Ford Fusion
16.0
16.0
VW Passat
15.9
15.9
Kia Optima
15.9
15.9
Chevrolet Malibu
15.7
15.7
Interior Design
Interior Design
Cover up the Hyundai badge and you may think that this interior is from an Audi. I've never seen such a gorgeous interior in my life. It looks beyond premium, and really befits the Hyundai badge.
Hyundai spread a bit of some Genesis vibes into the interior of the new Sonata, and soft touch materials are quite plentiful in here, but your hard-touch materials also are present, but they feel pleasant to the touch.
The front seats are very comfortable, but they do miss some adjustments, as they are only 8-way power adjustable with 2-way lumbar. 4-way lumbar would've been very nice.
In back, the seats are just as comfortable, headroom isn't too bad, but even though the Sonata has the least amount of leg room in the segment, it is still very roomy, and my six-two frame had plenty of room to spare.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
Hyundai has an entire laundry list of standard advanced safety tech on all Sonatas called Hyundai SmartSense.
Hyundai SmartSense includes Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go. The Sonata has the most comprehensive advanced safety technology package compared to it's competition. But even more tech comes as you work your way up the trim ladder. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) become standard on the SEL trim, Highway Drive Assist (HDA) is optional on the SEL Plus trim, but standard on the Limited trim that also adds Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCAA-R) and Blind View Monitor (BVM).
The new Sonata has just started undergoing testing by IIHS and the new Sonata should earn top honors with Hyundai's very high safety standards. The 2019 Sonata earned a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2019 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning Good ratings in all crash tests and a Good rating for its best headlights. For more on the 2019 Sonata's ratings, click here, and check back later to get the ratings of the new Sonata.
The brand new Sonata has three ways to open the door and drive your vehicle. First is by remote keyless entry, second is a new keycard that is synced to your Sonata, and finally is the new Hyundai Digital Key. This feature allows you to lock, unlock, start, and drive your Sonata with just your NFC-capable smartphone. Just touch your phone up to the door handle and then the Sonata will unlock. Put your phone on the wireless charging pad and press the start button and you're good to go! This feature is only available with the 2020 Sonata, as well as only Android phones (where's my Android fam!). In addition, you can give your Sonata away to one of your family members by giving them a Shared Key, provided that they download the Hyundai Digital Key app.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
Hyundai can always put together a car that has a great blend of everything you ask for. A smooth ride, sporty and sharp handling, a responsive and refined powertrain, comfortable and supportive seating, and so much more.
The new Sonata perfectly reflects that. The new Smartstream 1.6L turbocharged inline-4 has a strong wealth of power from down low to redline, and the new 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and quickly. The suspension is just a touch too firm for me, but by the barest of margins. Steering feel is great, but there's just a little bit too much play before the front wheels do something, but handling is great. There's some body roll, but its barely even noticeable, and the Sonata doesn't have a single problem with it. The interior is also very quiet, but has just a little more than minimal amounts of road and wind noise, but the Sonata has the quietest interior of the class.
Performance
Performance
Hyundai still has a simplified engine lineup, but the new Sonata gets Hyundai's Smartstream engine family. In addition, there's a new engine joining the Sonata lineup.
The base engine is a 2.5L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower at 6100 RPM, and 181 lb/ft of torque at 4000 RPM, which is a surprise to me as it has more horsepower than the turbocharged engine, but less torque.
SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited trims get the 1.6L Gamma turbocharged inline-4 with 180 horsepower at 5500 RPM and 195 lb/ft of torque available from 1500 to 4500 RPM. The 1.6T is also the first production vehicle to get Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD). It is also hooked up to the same 8-speed automatic as the base engine.
Hyundai is working on an N version of the Sonata, but they already released just the bare minimum of specs on the upcoming N-Line. It will have the same 2.5L engine as the base SE trim but turbocharged, to make a projected 290 horsepower and 310 lb/ft of torque. It will also be hooked up to a new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic that is closely related to the 7-speed unit in the Veloster Turbo. Hyundai also says that the Sonata N-Line will come with launch control on production models, but don't expect AWD; Hyundai isn't even offering it on any Sonata. The N-Line is expected to be coming for the 2021 model year.
There's been rumors that a Sonata Sport model is coming, as there is was a Sonata Sport previewed at the debut in Korea (via Asian Petrolhead). I would expect the 2.0T to make its reappearance in the Sonata Sport and hopefully make near the same power levels as the sixth-generation Sonata, which made a stout 274 horsepower and 269 lb/ft of torque. I REALLY hope Hyundai doesn't throw the 2.0T from the Santa Fe in the Sonata Sport. That engine in the Santa Fe was lethargic and very underpowered, but I wouldn't be surprised if they just took the 1.6T from the Veloster Turbo and used that for the Sport, but Hyundai should bring the power figures right between the 1.6T and the upcoming N-Line (about 235).
The eighth-generation Sonata will return with a hybrid variant. The Sonata Hybrid will use a brand new 2.0L I-4 that makes 150 horsepower and 138 lb/ft of torque on its own, but it's paired to a 38-kW electric motor that makes for a combined output of 192 horsepower. It's down compared to rivals, but Hyundai tends to have as powerful of an engine as upmarket options in the competition due to Hyundai's lighter curb weight in nearly all their vehicles. The Sonata Hybrid will also introduce a first for Hyundai. A solar panel roof! What the roof will do is recharge the 12V battery and help to prevent unwanted battery discharge. It can also extend the Sonata Hybrid's travel distance by up to 808 miles (annually) provided that it charges for six hours daily.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
1.6L Gamma turbocharged I4
Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
180 @ 5500
180 @ 5500
Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
195 @ 1500-4500
195 @ 1500-4500
Transmission(s)
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-wheel-drive
Front-wheel-drive
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)
27 / 36
27 / 36
0-60 Time
7.5 seconds*
7.5 seconds*
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
n/a
n/a
* - estimated
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
The Hyundai Sonata completely pulled the plug off the Accord and Camry's life support.
The Hyundai Sonata completely pulled the plug off the Accord and Camry's life support.
75/85 | Accumulated Score
75/85 | Accumulated Score
10 | Reliability
10 | Reliability
08 | Ergonomics
08 | Ergonomics
10 | Value
10 | Value
10 | Innovation
10 | Innovation
08 | Electronics
08 | Electronics
06 | Wow factor
06 | Wow factor
10 | Safety
10 | Safety
62/70 | Subtotal Score
62/70 | Subtotal Score
13/15 | Subjective Category
13/15 | Subjective Category
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