Styling is the decisive constituent inward many—perhaps fifty-fifty most—vehicle purchases, especially amid coupes as well as sedans. Which makes Hyundai’s conservative 2015 redesign of its Sonata household unit of measurement sedan all the to a greater extent than mystifying. Hyundai called the novel await “more mature.” We assessed it at the time, kindly, every bit “less dramatic.”
Drama Revived
Critical reply to the Sonata’s styling retreat did non become unnoticed at Hyundai. That brings us to the 2018 Sonata tested here, rescued from its “more mature” anonymity past times a less inhibited facelift. Although the revisions also extend to the rear—new LED taillights, a redesigned bumper, as well as a novel trunklid amongst an enlarged Hyundai logo—the existent attending grabber is Hyundai’s large novel hexagonal grille, flanked past times LED daytime running lights ready inward deep housings that await every bit though they could live on air scoops for a ready of racy carbon-ceramic brakes. (Bulletin: Carbon ceramics are not on the Sonata’s options list.)
That large fundamental maw—Hyundai calls it the “cascading grille”—suggests in that location powerfulness live on unopen to rigid source of propulsion behind it that requires volume quantities of air for optimal operation. The Sonata’s let-me-at-’em await may lure prospects into showrooms, simply what they’ll discovery nether the reshaped hood doesn’t mensurate upwards to the proposition of the exterior. All of the Sonata’s powertrain offerings—there are 5 if yous count both the hybrid as well as plug-in-hybrid models—carry over from 2017, as well as fifty-fifty the most rigid is no check for the altitude engines available inward the novel Honda Accord or the latest Toyota Camry, the perennial mid-size-sedan pacesetters.
That includes the 2.4-liter inline-four inward our exam subject, an illustration of the new-for-2018 SEL cut down level. It’s positioned inward a higher house the base of operations SE as well as Eco models, the latter beingness the exclusively 1 to employ a turbocharged 1.6-liter. Above the SEL, you’ll discovery a bifurcated path to Sport as well as Limited trims, each of which is offered amongst a turbocharged 2.0-liter that appends 2.0T to the model cite as well as puts 245 horsepower to the front end wheels through a novel eight-speed automatic.
The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter nosotros tested, past times contrast, has been the Sonata’s measure engine since 2011, as well as it makes 185 horsepower as well as 178 lb-ft of torque. This direct-injected iv pairs amongst a six-speed automatic transmission; a manual shifting trend is available via the shift lever (there are no paddles), simply it doesn’t appear to behave on performance 1 way or another. There is no manual-transmission option.
The 2.4 propels the 2018 Sonata amongst a smidge to a greater extent than vigor than it did inward a 2015 Sonata nosotros tested—this 2018 SEL was a half-second quicker to threescore mph as well as a wink or ii ahead at every other information point, fifty-fifty though curb weights are roughly equal.
Okay, Okay, Okay
All of this adds upwards to “okay” marks on the non bad mid-size-sedan scorecard, as well as the same goes for the novel Sonata’s dynamics. The consensus of the production planners was that the Sonata’s chassis needed no attention, then the exclusively revision to the time out is heftier nurture command arms.
The ride as well as treatment charge per unit of measurement every bit fine, without ascent to exceptional. Cornering responses aren’t every bit decisive every bit those of the latest Accord, as well as if the novel command arms add together anything to the grapheme it’s essentially subliminal. Cornering travelling pocket of 0.85 g on our skidpad trails the Accord 1.5T’s 0.89 g as well as the Camry SE 2.5L’s 0.88 g. Braking from lxx mph to a halt inward 167 feet also stacks upwards every bit okay, amend than the Toyota’s 175 feet simply longer than the Honda’s 163-foot stop.
Steering is a notch or ii to a greater extent than tactile than many simply unlikely to live on perceived every bit sporty. (As inward most all contemporary sedans, the Sonata’s is an electrically assisted rack-and-pinion system.) Here, too, the Sonata earns a passing degree past times beingness unremarkable. The Sonata’s dynamic forte is ride character that’s compliant without excessive stone as well as roll, fortified past times tranquillity functioning at state highway speeds.
Okay Plus
Where the 2018 Sonata goes beyond okay is within its cabin. Materials select a high-quality await as well as feel, the novel musical instrument cluster is attractively legible, as well as the redesigned middle stack volition please those who prefer secondary controls of the physical variety, offering enough of buttons (18) as well as knobs (4). There are no operating mysteries here, no poking at a touchscreen whilst rumbling over a stretch of nasty pavement.
And, typical of Hyundai, the Sonata’s value is higher than that of most of its competitors, amongst enough of measure features fifty-fifty at the basic SE cut down level. H5N1 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment organisation amongst Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto connectivity, automatic headlights, as well as a blind-spot monitoring organisation are measure on all cut down levels. In the SEL cut down (a $1650 measuring upwards from the SE) there’s a measure proximity key as well as push-button start, a ability driver’s seat, heated front end seats, as well as a USB port for the nurture rider compartment. The SEL is the lowest cut down flat that offers the $1000 Tech bundle that came on our exam car, which includes automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, as well as adaptive cruise control. Besides $125 for carpeted flooring mats, the Tech bundle was the exclusively option, which way this Sonata packed a lot of high-demand content nether a $25,710 sticker. Only inward the top-level Limited 2.0T does the toll cross the $30K frontier earlier options. If the turbo’s ability isn’t terribly of import to you, though, many of the Limited’s luxuries are available inward other Sonatas for considerably less.
The 2018 Sonata packages competent performance inward eye-catching novel clothing. Considering the content at the price, it’s a proficient bargain for a pleasant, well-equipped, as well as nonintrusive motoring experience. And we’re okay amongst that.
Get the Best Deal on a Hyundai Sonata
Source : caranddriver