The Sonata->ke1859 is Hyundai’s flagship sedan->ke142 that has been around since 1985 and went through its seventh generational change for 2014. Due to poor sales in Korea, Hyundai->ke201 had to step up its game with the Sonata, which resulted in its “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language. On the outside, the new Sonata featured a lot of design cues from the Hyundai HCD-14 concept that debuted at the New York Auto show->ke226 in 2013. On the inside, it took a lot of styling advice from the Hyundai Genesis->ke2924. Under the hood, it could be had with one of three different gasoline engines, of which, the 2.4-liter was offered in two different variants. There was also a 1.6-liter diesel offered in some markets as well. Shifting was handled be either a six-speed automatic or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. In short, the car came with a new front grille, new HID xenon headlights, new LED taillights, and a new 17-inch wheel design. Inside, the Sonata benefitted from new infotainment display screens, a new LCD information display in the instrument cluster. Optional features included carbon-fiber trim, ventilated driver’s seat, and full-leather steering wheel to name a few.

Of course, all of these updates were needed on this new-generational model, considering the reign of the Honda Accord->ke237, Nissan Altima->ke542, and the Toyota Camry->ke246. All three have ruled the midsize Japanese market forever, and if Hyundai was going to prove itself a worthy competitor, it had to knuckle down and pull out all the stops. So, how does the new Sonata stack up against the Accord, Altima, and Camry? Well, keep on reading to find out all of the noteworthy details.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata.

2014 Hyundai Sonata

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Hyundai Sonata
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 190 @ 6300
  • Torque: 179 @ 4250
  • Transmission: 6-speed electronic automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The shape of the new 2014 Hyundai Sonata hasn’t really changed, but there are quite a few noticeable differences. The grille is new, the headlamps are now HID xenon units, the taillights are full LED and the rear end has been altered. The 17-inch wheel design is all-new as well. SE trim levels also get a standard body-color rear spoiler.

The differences are minor enough that many people won’t know it’s a new car, but they do enough to alter the overall look that most passersby will notice it seems to look better than all the other Sonatas on the road.

The changes are more than simple cosmetic alterations; they affect aerodynamics and allow the Sonata to cut a cleaner hole through the air than before.

2014 Hyundai Sonata - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

110.0 in.

Overall length

189.8 in.

Overall width

72.2 in.

Overall height

57.9 in.

Tread width (front/rear)

62.6 in. / 62.6 in.

Coefficient of Drag (Cd)

0.28


2014 Hyundai Sonata - Standard Exterior Features

- Folding heated outside mirrors, body-color with dual power

- Bumpers, body-color

- Grille, body-color insert

- Chrome window belt moldings

- Door handles, body-color

- Solar control glass

- Front windshield, 2-speed with variable intermittent, speed sensitive

- Single, chrome-tipped rear exhaust

- Headlights, jeweled projector-lens

- Taillights, combination lamps

Interior

The inside of the new Sonata sees a huge collection of changes and improvements. All of the available screens are new; a new 8-inch screen navigation unit, new color screens for audio units and rear view camera use, and a new LCD information screen in the gauge cluster. There is also an optional carbon-fiber trim, LED dome light, ventilated driver’s seat and a new full-leather steering wheel on certain trims.

It is a smorgasbord of tech and luxury features.

The interior is also quitter than ever before thanks to new carpet, extra foam in the pillars and an additional dynamic damper to cut down on road noise. Even the new wheel design reduces wind noise.

That means the 2014 Sonata is the quietest ever.

2014 Hyundai Sonata - Interior Dimensions

GLS

SE

Limited

Head room

Front, without sunroof

40.0 in.

40.0 in.

-

Front, with sunroof

-

38.1 in.

38.1 in.

Front, with panoramic sunroof

-

-

38.2 in.

Rear, without sunroof

37.8 in.

37.8 in.

-

Rear, with sunroof

-

37.6 in.

37.6 in.

Rear, with panoramic sunroof

-

-

37.2 in.

Leg room

Front

45.5 in.

45.5 in.

45.5 in.

Rear

34.6 in.

34.6 in.

34.6 in.

Shoulder room

Front

57.9 in.

57.9 in.

57.9 in.

Rear

56.7 in.

56.7 in.

56.7 in.

Hip room

Front

55.2 in.

55.2 in.

55.2 in.

Rear

54.9 in.

54.9 in.

54.9 in.

EPA passenger volume

103.8 cu. ft.

103.8 cu. ft.

103.8 cu. ft.

EPA cargo volume

16.4 cu. ft.

16.4 cu. ft.

16.4 cu. ft.

EPA total volume

120.2 cu. ft.

120.2 cu. ft.

120.2 cu. ft.


2014 Hyundai Sonata - Standard Interior Features

- Roof trim, cloth

- Metal grain interior accents, all interior colors

- Door sill scuff plates

- Door handles, color keyed

- Door armrest, integrated

- Door pockets, small map

- Sunvisors with illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror

- Foot brake

- Floor covering, full cut-pile carpeting

- Trunk lid liner

- Air conditioning

- Heater

- Steering wheel, urethane

- Cruise control (steering wheel-mounted controls)

Drivetrain

There have been massive changes to all the things you can see and touch, but most of what happens underneath the sheet metal has been left alone. The 2014 Sonata features the exact same powertrain choices as the previous car. That means the same 2.4-liter Theta II engine in the standard cars and a turbocharged 2.0-Liter Theta in the Turbo trim.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. The base 2.4 is good for 190 horsepower and still returns 35 mpg, thanks in part to the six-speed automatic transmission. The SE trim comes standard with a new sports exhaust system for 2014 that adds 2 horsepower to the engine output.

The 2.0 Turbo is only good for 32 mpg on the highway, but with 274 horsepower at the call of your right foot, we can forgive the drop in fuel economy.

GLS

SE

Limited

GLS

SE

Limited

DOHC D-CVVT (Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing) 4-cylinder

DOHC D-CVVT (Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing) 4-cylinder

DOHC D-CVVT (Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing) 4-cylinder

Type

Aluminum block and heads

Aluminum block and heads

Aluminum block and heads

Materials

88.0 mm x 97.0 mm

88.0 mm x 97.0 mm

88.0 mm x 97.0 mm

Bore and Stroke

2.4 liters / 2,359 cc

2.4 liters / 2,359 cc

2.4 liters / 2,359 cc

Displacement

190 @ 6,300 rpm

192 @ 6,300 rpm

190 @ 6,300 rpm

Horsepower

179 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

181 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

179 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

Torque

4

4

4

Valves per cylinder

11.3:1

11.3:1

11.3:1


Suspension and Brakes

In my experience, the ride and handling of the Sonata is the weakest link. The ride is supple enough, but when you really start to push on it in any sort of vigorous manner, it all begins to fall apart. Excessive lean and understeer were my main impressions of the setup.

Its very competent for commuting and the like, but it doesn’t inspire any level of confidence of excitement. This is a domain where the Accord and Ford Fusion both excel.

Prices

Model Code

Model

Engine

Transmission

Price

27412F45

Sonata GLS

2.4L GDI 4-cyl.

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$21,450

27412F4P

Sonata GLS

2.4L GDI 4-cyl.

PZEV 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$21,450

27442F45

Sonata SE

2.4L GDI 4-cyl.

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$24,300

27432F45

Sonata SE

2.0L Turbo GDI 4-cyl

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$25,850

27472F45

Sonata Limited

2.4L GDI 4-cyl.

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$27,000

27472F4P

Sonata Limited

2.4L GDI 4-cyl. PZEV

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$27,000

27462F45

Sonata Limited

2.0L Turbo GDI 4-cyl

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

$28,550


Options

Option

Price

GLS Popular Equipment Package

$900

SE Premium Package

$3,000

SE 2.0T Premium Package

$2,900

Limited Technology Package

$3,000

Limited 2.0T Technology Package

$3,200

Pearl White

$200

Remote start

$350

ECM with HomeLink® and compass

$275

Rear lip spoiler

$250


Competitors

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is getting a little long in the tooth, and besides its impeccable sales and reliability record, it has little to offer anyone with even the slightest enthusiast tendencies. It is still the best selling car you can buy in America though, and it will take a lot to kick it from that number-one position.

Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is a very attractive alternative to the Sonata. Not only does it have the refinement and build quality that only comes form the Germans, but it offers a V-6; an option many American buyers are still clamoring for. The Passat also offers a highly fuel-efficient, but very powerful diesel engine option. Something no other car in the class can currently claim.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Sonata has come a long way since its mid-1980s birth as a cheap alternative to a "real car." Now loaded with items like navigation and leather, the Sonata has become a car that people want to buy, not just the car they could afford.