Topic: 2020 Hyundai Sonata - easy on the eyes!

[Ex-airbalancer]

Really does anyone care about the Sonata ?

[rrocket]

Really does anyone care about the Sonata ?

I'd say in this case, probably. This is an important release for Hyundai as the sales of this model for the last few years is down significantly.

Hoping to plug the leak with this generation.

[Jaeger]

Really does anyone care about the Sonata ?

Ron clearly does. 

[rrocket]

Really does anyone care about the Sonata ?

Ron clearly does. 

Almost as much as Norm Roger does.   

[DriverJeff]

Having driven the current Camry w/ V6, Accord 2.0T and the new Sonata (I was with the StraightPipes and Throttle House guys in Alabama), my preference in terms of engine is definitely the Toyota's.  In driving it back-to-back with my dad's '15 Camry XLE V6, the new engine is notably spicier.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

My full review is stagnating while we wait for Hyundai Canada to announce the $#@%ing pricing for the car.  If the 1.6T Ultimate comes in around Accord EX-L 1.5T pricing, it'll be a killer value. 

Oh, and we saw a mule Sonata N-line parked at the assembly plant, but sure as sh!t didn't get to drive it.

[rrocket]

.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

.

How's the suspension? Apart from the engine, I've read gripes about the suspension not being as well rounded as the competition.

What's your take?

[Jaeger]

Having driven the current Camry w/ V6, Accord 2.0T and the new Sonata (I was with the StraightPipes and Throttle House guys in Alabama), my preference in terms of engine is definitely the Toyota's.  In driving it back-to-back with my dad's '15 Camry XLE V6, the new engine is notably spicier.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

My full review is stagnating while we wait for Hyundai Canada to announce the $#@%ing pricing for the car.  If the 1.6T Ultimate comes in around Accord EX-L 1.5T pricing, it'll be a killer value. 

Oh, and we saw a mule Sonata N-line parked at the assembly plant, but sure as sh!t didn't get to drive it.

Well, as I said above, I would expect a tiny sub-200hp 1.6 t to be a let down compared to the very strong Accord 2.0T or Camry V6.  But then this version of the Sonata more directly compares with the 1.5t Accord and normally aspirated 4-pot Camry.

Given that you assess it to be otherwise "every bit of the match of its competitors", then I expect the 2.5T N Line will match up very well with the top engine offerings from the competition.  A couple journalists got to drive the N Line - it's included in a some of the vids from that event - but there was a full embargo on commenting on it.

And yes, it will be very interesting to see how pricing shakes out.

Glad to have your feedback and I look forward to the review!

[DriverJeff]

Having driven the current Camry w/ V6, Accord 2.0T and the new Sonata (I was with the StraightPipes and Throttle House guys in Alabama), my preference in terms of engine is definitely the Toyota's.  In driving it back-to-back with my dad's '15 Camry XLE V6, the new engine is notably spicier.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

My full review is stagnating while we wait for Hyundai Canada to announce the $#@%ing pricing for the car.  If the 1.6T Ultimate comes in around Accord EX-L 1.5T pricing, it'll be a killer value. 

Oh, and we saw a mule Sonata N-line parked at the assembly plant, but sure as sh!t didn't get to drive it.

Well, as I said above, I would expect a tiny sub-200hp 1.6 t to be a let down compared to the very strong Accord 2.0T or Camry V6.  But then this version of the Sonata more directly compares with the 1.5t Accord and normally aspirated 4-pot Camry.

Given that you assess it to be otherwise "every bit of the match of its competitors", then I expect the 2.5T N Line will match up very well with the top engine offerings from the competition.  A couple journalists got to drive the N Line - it's included in a some of the vids from that event - but there was a full embargo on commenting on it.

And yes, it will be very interesting to see how pricing shakes out.

Glad to have your feedback and I look forward to the review!

The N Line drive must've been a different group than ours (maybe 'muricans?). 

Pricing will be the make-or-break for this thing I figure.

[DriverJeff]

.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

.

How's the suspension? Apart from the engine, I've read gripes about the suspension not being as well rounded as the competition.

What's your take?

It seemed fine, though admittedly, the vast majority of the driving we did was on highways and city streets so I can't really say for sure how it'd handle when really pressed.  I suppose it's possible that some of my peers might've sought out a few corners during the event (or as the Throttle House guys have done, since booked it from Hyundai Canada and driven it on their own local roads), but my sense is it's fine.  Not exciting, not a sport sedan, but a decent enough machine that buyers of the thing will be completely satisfied.  I'd be surprised if the N Line isn't tuned to better the best in the class given what we've seen Hyundai can do when it wants to (G70, Veloster N).

By the way, for what it's worth, the current generation Altima is actually a surprisingly decent handler.  Drove the AWD Platinum back to back with a new Legacy GT and the Nissan felt quicker and sharper in its steering and it definitely wore better, grippier tires for outright handling too.  Nissan seems to be quietly, in the background, working its back back to relevancy. 

[Jaeger]

.

The 1.6T in the Sonata was a bit of a let down.  Aside from that, the Sonata is every bit the match of its competitors, and in terms of tech and interior design, the class-leader now. 

.

How's the suspension? Apart from the engine, I've read gripes about the suspension not being as well rounded as the competition.

What's your take?

It seemed fine, though admittedly, the vast majority of the driving we did was on highways and city streets so I can't really say for sure how it'd handle when really pressed.  I suppose it's possible that some of my peers might've sought out a few corners during the event (or as the Throttle House guys have done, since booked it from Hyundai Canada and driven it on their own local roads), but my sense is it's fine.  Not exciting, not a sport sedan, but a decent enough machine that buyers of the thing will be completely satisfied.  I'd be surprised if the N Line isn't tuned to better the best in the class given what we've seen Hyundai can do when it wants to (G70, Veloster N).

By the way, for what it's worth, the current generation Altima is actually a surprisingly decent handler.  Drove the AWD Platinum back to back with a new Legacy GT and the Nissan felt quicker and sharper in its steering and it definitely wore better, grippier tires for outright handling too.  Nissan seems to be quietly, in the background, working its back back to relevancy.

As a guy who owned three Nissans in a row before they lost the plot, I'm glad to hear this.  If only they would abandon the CVTs.... but I know that's not going to happen.

And your framework for assessing handling within this class is entirely rational.  Expecting more than a "decent handler" from the Camcordimanata ranks is missing the point.  People don't buy mainstream midsize sedans for slalom runs or exploring the max lateral g's, and unsurprisingly, manufacturers don't build them that way.  None are dedicated sports sedans.  Within the class, some will be a bit sportier and some will offer a bit more comfort, but none will stray too very far from the family sedan median.

[rrocket]

And your framework for assessing handling within this class is entirely rational.  Expecting more than a "decent handler" from the Camcordimanata ranks is missing the point.  People don't buy mainstream midsize sedans for slalom runs or exploring the max lateral g's, and unsurprisingly, manufacturers don't build them that way.  None are dedicated sports sedans.  Within the class, some will be a bit sportier and some will offer a bit more comfort, but none will stray too very far from the family sedan median.

I agree. I've never had that expectation in family haulers...especially FWD ones. Or SUVs. Or luxury cars. Or trucks.

I was just wondering what he thought as I had read a couple complaints about the suspension being a bit unsorted or confused...perhaps due to pre production test cars with non-finalized suspension tuning? That's my guess anyways.

[rrocket]

Saw my first 2020 Sonata commercial.

Looked "meh" in the blue color used.

IMO.

YMMV.

[Frontier1]

Man that face is hard on the eyes, the rest is quite nice.

[Jaeger]

Man that face is hard on the eyes, the rest is quite nice.

The front end is quite polarizing - some really like it and some really not.  The same could be said of the 2011 model - which was a huge sales success for Hyundai compared to the much more conservatively styled model it replaced.  I liked the 2011 - it was striking and sleek compared to most of the mainstream midsize sedans of its day.  I like this one very much as well.  Different times, though.  All midsize contenders are now fighting for a larger piece of a shrinking pie.

[OliverD]

Looking at the Sonata's sales record is quite eye opening in terms of the drop in popularity of sedans. In the U.S. the Sonata peaked in 2012 at 230k but dropped to just 87k last year.

In Canada they went from 14,500 in both 2012 and 2013 to less than 4000 last year.

[EV-Light]

Looking at the Sonata's sales record is quite eye opening in terms of the drop in popularity of sedans. In the U.S. the Sonata peaked in 2012 at 230k but dropped to just 87k last year.

In Canada they went from 14,500 in both 2012 and 2013 to less than 4000 last year.

Beyond a customer change in taste here, Hyundai screwed up the previous gen big time, that helped move a few buyers away.


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[EV Dan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNhIIUTXkjc
Sonata Hybrid @ Chicago auto show (AoA)

It says "smartstream" on the engine cover. I think it's a marketing term for CVVD (continuous variable valve duration). Not sure if the previous hybrid Sonata had that...and if it did not then Alex's "basically the same engine" would not apply here.

Also there is a letter "G", instead of GDi, so looks like it is a port injected NA engine.

And finally, did I not hear somewhere that the tranny is re-calibrated for smoother shifts, with rev-matching or something like that? Perhaps we should wait and see. The one I'm looking forward to is the Optima hybrid though, a bit more "easy on the eyes" 

[EV Dan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N9_tGXJrgw

- same Hybrid review from TFL with Roman always confused about the specs 

[EV Dan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN5igrd5hVg

AoA talks about the Sonata Hybrid's solar roof and its performance.    Personally I'd trade a moonroof for this feature; coz chances are when the car is left in the sun it can run its AC and you'd come back to an air conditioned cabin.

A lot more technical details here:
https://tech.hyundaimotorgroup.com/article/everything-about-the-sonata-hybrids-solar-roof/

[Jaeger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN5igrd5hVg

AoA talks about the Sonata Hybrid's solar roof and its performance.    Personally I'd trade a moonroof for this feature; coz chances are when the car is left in the sun it can run its AC and you'd come back to an air conditioned cabin.

A lot more technical details here:
https://tech.hyundaimotorgroup.com/article/everything-about-the-sonata-hybrids-solar-roof/

Didn't Mazda have something similar way back in the day - I think a fan to vent the hot air out.