The new Sonata received not only a radically updated design, but also a number of significant technical innovations.
Hyundai Sonata cars are typical representatives of front-wheel drive sedans, not bad from a technical point of view, but at the same time nothing really stands out. In recent years, as more drivers opt for the higher seating position and increased cargo space of SUVs, sales of these four-door vehicles have dwindled.
It would seem like a logical step for Hyundai to release a simple update to the series, equipping the new car with a more powerful engine and adding a few modern technologies. But the South Korean company decided to go the other way. And the new Sonata has received not only a radically updated design, but also a number of technical innovations that you would rather see embodied in the creation of a Silicon Valley tech startup.
The car received a significantly improved electronic assistant capable of driving the car in automatic mode for a short time, an advanced navigation system (although it is not yet clear how it will behave outside of South Korea), as well as an updated infotainment system. Among the innovations, blind spot cameras must also be mentioned. The image from them will be displayed on the dashboard, immediately after the turn signal is turned on. It is expected that versions of the car with sufficiently powerful engines will be supplied to European and American markets, providing good dynamics.
Rumors that the new Sonata will receive a unique design have been circulating on the Web for quite some time. And the designers really did their best. Looking at the exterior of the car, one would assume that the automaker took more design ideas from Audi or even Aston Martin than from previous versions of the Sonata. The sloped hood looks like it belongs in a sports car rather than a family sedan. The interior, although not as exciting, is comfortable and quite beautiful, with hints of prestige.
The first generation Sonata was introduced back in November 1985. It was a very simple car, both externally and technically, which did not even meet the strict regulations of Europe and the United States, and therefore was sold almost exclusively in the South Korean market. In some countries, the Koreans supplied it with Japanese engines. Nevertheless, the series turned out to be quite successful and the company continued its development.
To date, 7 generations of Sonata have been presented, and the latest models no longer resemble the “first pancake”. However, all these generations have one thing in common - they are frankly boring. These are just relatively inexpensive cars with an inexpressive design and not the most outstanding technical characteristics. Introducing the new generation, the company makes a bid to create a really interesting car that can breathe new life into the series, attract new consumers to it, perhaps even young people.
Summarizing all of the above, we can say that the latest sedan from Hyundai is a high-tech car at a reasonable price, which the modern sedan market needs. Boring such a car can not be called. Well, time will tell how interesting it will be to consumers. Sales of the 8th generation Sonata will start this year.
