The design team at
Hyundai is enhancing the aesthetics of their vehicles in everyday segments to differentiate themselves from competitors. While the existing Sonata already boasted a sleek appearance, it has now undergone a significant facelift to align more closely with the design cues of the new Kona and Staria models. The interior has also been revamped with new displays and controls, resulting in a cohesive update.
Hyundai has been producing the Sonata, its rival to the
Toyota Camry, since 1985. The current iteration represents the pinnacle of the lineup, undergoing a substantial modernization compared to previous versions. Despite no new trim levels being introduced with the facelift and no notable mechanical alterations, the front and rear facias have been extensively redesigned, with a new hood featuring updated sheet metal and a cohesive overall look.
The new front design of the Sonata closely mirrors that of the Kona. Adopting a feature from the newly launched Kona, the Sonata now showcases a fender-to-fender continuous LED bar serving as its daytime running
light. Additionally, its projector headlights integrate seamlessly with the brake cooling ducts/foglamp bezel, drawing inspiration from the Kona.
While the rear end may not have received as elegant an update as the front, it still maintains a cohesive appearance. The interior is where the most significant changes are evident to prospective buyers. Extensive updates to the dashboard include physical controls akin to the pre-facelift model, twin 12.3-inch displays housed in a single bezel above the dash, updated HVAC vents, and more. Even the cupholders have been revamped, and a new steering wheel design is in place.
The N-Line variant embodies the most aggressive design elements, ensuring that even the standard model exudes an exceptionally striking presence. The new Sonata is expected to debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show in early April and subsequently hit dealership lots shortly thereafter.
Have any tips? Feel free to share them via tips@thedrive.com
