Hyundai has just revealed the all-new version of its midsize sedan to the North American market. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata's styling was shown off in Soul last month, but now we have a look at what's going on under the skin as well.
Though it's hard to look past the car's new styling, especially from the front 3/4 view, it looks almost more Aston Martin than Aston's own sedan. The company calls the design language Sensual Sportiness, and it's hard to not give this one a second glance. Yes, those are LED running lights that extend halfway up the bonnet that turn into chrome strips which extend into the window surrounds when they're turned off. The sleek look carries into the low and wide trunk lid.
It looks lower, wider, and longer than before, and that's not just some sheet metal sleight of hand. The car is 25 mm wider, 45 mm longer, and 30 mm lower.
Compared to the exterior, the interior looks almost pedestrian, but the models Hyundai has shown look elegantly simple. Low on buttons, big on screens and multiple colours of materials and stitching.
That's a 12.3-inch digital dash, sitting beside a 10.25-inch touchscreen to operate the infotainment system. That second screen allows a split to show navigation and audio controls simultaneously. It's available with a Bose premium 12-speaker audio system with automatic equalizer adjustments based on vehicle speed.
Hyundai has given the Sonata a new platform for 2020. It says it's the company's third-generation architecture. That means safety improvements, and Hyundai says driving performance improvements too, calling it more nimble and offering better braking response.
Canadian cars will get a 1.6 L turbocharged four cylinder, dubbed Smartstream, that will have 180 hp, 195 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated 7.6 L/100 km combined fuel economy thanks to continuously variable valve duration. It's a feature Hyundai calls a world-first. Backing that engine will be an eight-speed automatic.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Wireless charging, a heated wheel, and heated and ventilated seats are all on offer. Cars that don't have the 10.25-inch touchscreen get an 8.0-inch version.
New for 2020 is a full-colour head-up display. It is adjustable for angle and height to provide optimized visibility. The Sonata will be available with forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise, and Highway Driving Assist, which adds lane centering to the adaptive cruise.
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is set to arrive at dealers in October, with pricing closer to the on-sale date.
You may also like
