What is it? Hyundai has unveiled details on the redesigned Sonata. The new look of the midsized sedan follows Hyundai's new design of a sleeker coupe-like styling that is shown in the Genesis. It will be powered by a standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder direct injection engine that Hyundai claims will improve fuel economy by 11 percent over the current model. Our tested four-cylinder model returned an impressive 26 mpg overall and the V6 22 mpg, so an improvement in mileage would be a bonus.
The Sonata will feature six airbags, standard stability control with hill-start control, which helps the vehicle climb up a steep or slippery hill, and brake assist. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, parking aids, and rear heated seats.
Pricing is expected to start around $17,600 and will be produced in early 2010 as a 2011 model for the U.S. market.
The current Sonata performs well in our tests and is competitive with other family sedans. It packs a lot of gear and is roomy and pleasant to ride for the price. We look forward to testing the new design of the Sonata when it hits the market sometime next year.
The U.S. version and further details will be revealed in January at the Detroit Auto Show.
