The Sonata has been one of the most consistent nameplates in Hyundai's brand’s history. The model has been representing the car company in the mid-size sedan segment since 1985. Currently, the Sonata is in its eighth generation, and it looks like it may be it's last as Hyundai is planning to axe the model in 2025. Before this happens, Hyundai is giving us one last iteration of the sedan, in the form of a facelift, and here’s everything we know about this “last call” Hyundai Sonata.
The Final-Edition Sonata Will Embrace Hyundai’s Latest Design Language
Hyundai is one of the few manufacturers where not all models share the same face. Still, the trend has been going on for years and judging from the latest spy shots posted on Korean forums, among which Bobaedream, the last Hyundai Sonata will feature a redesigned front end, featuring a full-width LED strip. Other Hyundai models like the Staria, Grandeur, and Kona feature the same LED strip for the DRLs, while the main headlights are located further down. This is another signature design element seen on even more of Hyundai’s models, among which are Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade to name a few. The new fascia certainly gives the car a more mature look compared to the fish-like grin the current Sonata features.
It Will Not Be An All-New Model
That almost goes without saying, given that the model will arrive as a 2024 model, with the car's permanent retirement due in 2025. The current model has been around since 2020, and despite the highly-controversial front-end design, it has been a great value for money and a worthy alternative to Japanese models like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry.
The most notable feature of the 2024 Sonata is the front end, but the rear will also see some changes, albeit not as major. The spy shots suggest that while the rear of the sedan still comes with an integrated ducktail spoiler, part of the taillights will be on the trunk lid. The black trim on one of the spy images suggests that the 2024 Hyundai Sonata can also be had in the N-Line trim.
For 2024, the Sonata also gets a revised interior and addresses some complaints with the current one. For one, the 10.25-inch infotainment screen is no longer sticking out of the center of the dashboard like an afterthought but is now flush with the digital instrument cluster, forming a coherent design element. Another key change is the column shifter for the automatic, which replaces the current models' button system for the gearbox, which wasn't popular with all Sonata buyers. The already impressive interior boasts ample space, great ergonomics, and an upscale feel that is beyond the Sonata’s sticker price. The 16.0-cubic-feet (453-liter) cargo capacity is decent for the segment, and with folding rear seats, it has the potential to grow exponentially.
The Updated Sonata Gets Familiar Engine Options
The engine options are a direct carry-over from the current Sonata. For most markets, the base engine is a naturally-aspirated, 2.5-liter inline-four, developing 191 horsepower (142 kilowatts) and 181 pound-feet (245 Nm). The same engine can be had as a full hybrid with a similar horsepower rating. Then, there is the 1.6-liter, turbocharged inline-four with 180 horsepower (134 kilowatts) and 195 pound-feet (264 Nm). The range-topping version comes with a 2.5-liter, turbocharged inline-four packing 290 horsepower (216 kilowatts) and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm), which allows for a 0 to 60 MPH (97 km/h) sprint in 5.7 seconds. As before, power is sent to the front wheels only through an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic.
The Sonata Is Moving Aside For SUVs Like The Santa Fe And Tucson
To no surprise, the main reason behind the Sonata’s permanent retirement is poor sales. Sedan sales, in general, have been plummeting across the board, with very few exceptions. The Sonata has been experiencing a steady decrease in sales, with US sales falling way under the 100,000 mark in 2019. In 2022, the Hyundai Sonata saw a record drop in sales in the US, with only 54,275 units — an all-time low. This is despite the fact the Sonata can be considered a bargain, mid-size sedan. At the time of writing this, prices start at $24,950, and a fully-loaded one would set you back $34,975.
The main reason sedans like the Sonata are dying out is the SUV craze. With Hyundai now having a comprehensive lineup of high-riding models like the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, and Palisade, the toughest competition might be internal. Mazda is a similar case as it discarded an enthusiast-favorite sports car successor, along with a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6, for the sake of SUVs, and that says it all for the future of ICE-powered vehicles.