2024 Hyundai Sonata - One Last Hail Mary

Sedan sales continue to circle the drain vs. SUVs... But Hyundai is preparing one final push for
relevance with the 2024 Sonata.

Sedans sales are still sliding, and rumors are swirling that Hyundai and Kia might discontinue the Sonata and K5, respectively, after the 2025 model year. This would leave only the Japanese sedans (Camry, Accord, Altima, Legacy) as the sole competitors in the midsized segment. Although the Malibu could get a surprise 10th generation as well…

Until these answers all become clearer, what we do have some certainty on is that there is going to be a refresh for the 2024 Sonata, and it draws inspiration from the redesigned Kona with a full width light bar up front as part of its lighting signature. The overall look for me seems like something out of a Star Wars cartoon/movie now – I worked in product planning a Hyundai/Kia when the current Sonata generation launched and I remember how the LED running lights running up the fender was so dynamic looking the first time I saw it on the pre-facelift. On the inside, there’s now a new steering wheel design complimented by a curved display comprised of two 12.3-inch screens, as we’ve seen gradually creeping its way into other Hyundai/Kia/Genesis products. The powertrain lineup is expected to remain the same: that consists of a base 2.5L inline four-cylinder, a 1.6L turbocharged inline four-cylinder, and a 2.5L turbo inline four-cylinder in the N-Line trims. The hybrid models will also likely carryover, but no PHEV.

First Impressions Matter

How do you like the refreshed Sonata? It looks like they left everything that matters most intact (powertrain, comfort, etc.), while changing the bits that will enhance style the most. I believe I like the non-N-Line look the best this time around (the silver car in the middle picture), it’s very sharp. I see some Lucid Air influence! Also, I think it would be great if Hyundai went ahead and offered AWD on the Sonata like its sibling, the Kia K5. As many of you are aware, I have a Kia K5 AWD with the 1.6T engine and I find it to be a great car – the 1.6T from Hyundai/Kia is one of my favorite powertrains. Pair it with the corporate hybrid system and AWD, like in the Tucson SUV, and I feel like you would have something special for a midsize sedan.

While I doubt that this refresh will move the bar overall for the Sonata in terms of its popularity vs. its SUV counterparts, I do hope it inspires Hyundai to stay in the sedan market a little longer. I’m also looking forward to seeing what the Kia K5 refresh looks like. Although Kia’s refreshes have been a little less endearing to me, as I think their vehicles are as aesthetically perfect as they can get right now.

Here's a look at the front of the pre-refresh Sonata.

And a look at the facelifted rear end - I like the "racing flag" matrix pattern in the taillights, where the outgoing model just had a continuous LED lightbar without any sort of pattern.

#sedanapocolypse

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