- The current Sonata isn't selling nearly as well as the generation before it due to both the decline of the sedan segment's popularity and because the styling became more conservative.
- The swoopy styling of the sixth-generation Sonata made it a hot seller in an otherwise boring segment. The current car (seventh-generation) looked more refined but lost its daring styling cues.
Hyundai apparently didn't get the memo that the public doesn't exactly care about sedans anymore because they just released photos of their new Sonata, and boy is it a looker. The redesign for 2020 is all-new, and it's the most sophisticated and attractive iteration of the sedan we've ever laid eyes on. Hyundai wants
With an aggressive fascia that shows off the cascading grille, four-lens wraparound LED headlights, deep hood creases, and some very unique LED Daytime Running Light elements in the hood. The swoopy body also includes great fender bulges, and a fastback-like rear roofline that tapers into a large trunk spoiler and one of the best rear ends in the sedan segment.
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Those hood DRLs actually look like chrome strips when turned off but illuminate when activated, giving
The body crease that runs along the beltline is deep and sculpted, and it blends nicely into the tail section. The rear lights have a boomerang shape and are unified with the dramatic, almost 1970s Porsche 911 RS-like ducktail spoiler. We also love the fact that the fastback-style roofline doesn't eliminate the trunk and take on a hatchback-like cargo section. This preserves the true sedan form, and it works well here.
The car is bigger than the one it will replace. It's longer, wider, but lower than the 2019 version. It gains 1.4 inches of wheelbase for more room, 1.7 inches in overall length, and 1 inch in width. The car is lower by 1.2 inches, and the overall result is more aggression in the car's appearance, which is a nice departure from the current car.
Inside, expect nearly as many changes as the exterior gets. The dash is more elegant with the touchscreen set into the dash rather than sitting atop. The HVAC vents are slim and in line with one another like the current Mazda6's. Then there's the rather interesting four-spoke steering wheel, which we can't say we're huge fans of. Most significantly, the Sonata ditches its traditional gearshift knob and replaces it with a pushbutton version. We'll have to drive to see if it's better than Honda's, which wouldn't take much. Finally, we get a glimpse of the seat stitch pattern, which is unique if not attractive.
The all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata will debut at the New York Auto Show next month, and more details about trims levels, tech, engine options, etc. will be revealed, as well. The most important thing to note is how much effort Hyundai has clearly put into its new family sedan in order to set it apart from the pack and return it to its beloved styling status of the last-generation car. We love what the brand is doing, and people are taking notice.
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