Is there another car that’s come as far as the Sonata? Obviously, from a technological standpoint, any long-running badge has evolved considerably. Just compare the underpinnings of a current Cooper JCW with any original Mini.
But the Sonata hasn’t just evolved. It’s utterly redefined itself. What was once the car that you bought when you were denied a loan for anything else has become something that can compete with the best of Germany, at least from a design standpoint.
Ever since they released the mk6 in 2009 with its Fluidic Sculpture design language, the full-size sedan’s been a statement of intent from the Seoul-based brand. Even the current-gen version, a less overtly flashy style introduced in 2014, continues to look good.
And it hasn’t just been the exterior that’s changed. The interior is much better executed than one would expect to find on a mid-level car. It comes loaded with features, and the fit and finish are done well. This is reflected in the company’s excellent reliability rating, comparable to that of Honda or, the standard-bearer, Toyota.
The 2020 Sonata is No Longer the Car You Get Stuck With
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata looks to continue this trend. With a lowered hood that extends beyond the front grill, the overhand has been reduced to minimize its FWD architecture. The LED lights wrap around to a strip of chrome that runs up the hood to the A-pillars. Chrome always looks dumb but people tend to think it’s fancy, so can’t really blame Hyundai for that.
The roof draws back, suggestive of the Audi A5 Sportback, though it ends in a traditional trunk. The back is marked by C-shaped taillights similar to those on the current Civic (yikes!) but is, thankfully, less abrasive. The taillights are connected by an LED bar, not unlike what Lincoln MKZ.
Specs haven’t yet been released, but a turbo-four is likely to be the base engine…
Hold up: Roofline like an A5 Sportback? Taillights like a Civic combined with an MKZ? Chrome strips on the hood?
Aw hell naw. The 2020 Sonata can go drive itself into a wall.