2020 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata won't impress you with top of the line styling, nor will it woo you with its massive power figures. However, it does get you a more punchy motor under the hood that sets it apart from the segment. The infotainment is another highlight of the Sonata and the only way it breaks out of the ordinary, thanks to the Blue-Link interface which is a blessing to use. Further enhancing the experience, you get all of this at a cheaper price than some leaders of the segment.  

The Hyundai Sonata is available in 6 trim levels starting with the SE which comes just under $20,000 with basic features like blind spot assist, rearview camera and a 7-inch touchscreen. The highest trim Limited 2.0T upgrades the engine and the transmission as well as the infotainment. Starting at $20,300 for the SE trim you get features like Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Change Assist as standard, while in the SEL trim at $21,950, you get features like wireless charging, heated seats, and dual automatic climate control. The Sport trim at $22,800 comes with a sportier exterior and a power sunroof.

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The best bang for your buck is the Hyundai Sonata Sport model which comes equipped with paddle shifters and sport seats as well as a revised front fascia making the sedan look more aggressive and sportier.

Nothing this Sonata does is groundbreaking, from its linear and moderate acceleration, to its quiet-enough operation, to its fuss-free shift quality. There’s just enough power to give it moderately engaging feel - Car and Driver

The Sonata is christened with three different powerplants under the hood. Except for the two trims, "Eco" and "Limited 2.0T", all the trims feature a 2.4L, inline-4 engine that produces a meager output of 185 HP and 178 ft-lbs of torque. This unit is mated to a 6-speed SHIFTRONIC torque converter unit that is inclined more towards a calm and composed nature. It takes its own sweet time to decide the right gear.

Then comes the smaller but sportier unit, a 1.6L, inline-4 turbocharged motor, that discharges duties in the "Eco" trim. This smaller engine just emphasizes its name - Eco with the smaller displacement, for better fuel economy. However, don't let the numbers fool you as this puny motor can unleash 178 horses on flat-footing the accelerator. It is further complemented by a torque output of 195 ft-lbs. To add more to its sporty character, Hyundai has blessed this motor with a 7-speed DCT unit that is more fun to drive than the conventional 2.4L unit.  

However, if you are one of those who like to spend some time alone with the car on freeways, then it's the top-trim "Limited 2.0" that is a cracker of a deal. This trim features a 2.0L, inline 4, twin-scroll turbocharged unit that pumps out 245 horses and throws a force of 260 lb-ft on the crank. For so much power under the hood, Hyundai has also equipped the Sonata with an all-new 8-speed SHIFTRONIC DCT gearbox which is slick and executes lightning-fast shifts.

The rivals in the vast segment come with equally impressive engines, the highlights include the Honda Accord with its tine 1.4L engine making 192 hp and the Toyota Camry with a 203 hp engine. The Buick Regal takes the first position with a massive 250 hp four-banger under its hood. Meanwhile, the Ford Fusion and the Kia Optima have very similar engine specs.

Acceleration

The engine struggle under heavy acceleration. Although not too loud, the engine tends to get noisy if you want to use it for more than just your commute. The base-level engine may not be as powerful, but the Limited and Limited 2.0T get a much better engine, so you can relish the revs and put some power down.

Comparing the figures for the 0-60 sprint, the Buick Regal with the gargantuan 250 hp engine takes an early lead and finishes with 6.2 seconds on the clock, the Kia Optima close at its heels finishes in 6.8 seconds same time as the Hyundai. Next are the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry with a fraction of second difference in between.

Ride and Handling

The steering on the Korean is agile and responsive, with quite a short turning radius and feedback. The sensitivity can be tailored to your need through drive mode selection; while the sport mode adds weight to the steering the assistance feels electronic and synthetic.

Suspension in the Hyundai works like a charm, the absorb undulations on the road when they need to and stiffen up when you put the sedan into sport mode and speed through corners, the low sedan has minimal body roll, however the front-wheel drive is the only option for you.

Braking

With 12-inch brakes up front and 11.2-inch in the back, the brakes on the Hyundai chip away at the speed with amazing effectiveness, although it hasn’t been tested for the stopping distance in the panic brake test yet. In the sport mode, the brakes have better modulation than comfort mode.

Side by side, the sedans have near identical brake sizes but the disparity in the weight as well as other factors like suspension and ride height affect the stopping distance. The Chevy Malibu stops from 60mph in 113 feet, while the Fusion and Camry take 122 feet for the same.

The 2.4L engine exhibits good fuel economy on the highways of 35 miles to the gallon, however in the city it can manage 26 mpg at best. The 2.0L turbo engine mot only has better performance, but also better efficiency.

The rival sedans like the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry exceed the Hyundai’s engine capability and offer you better economy. Meanwhile the Buick Regal, Ford Fusion and Kia Optima lag behind in terms of efficiency.

The Sonata’s cockpit is blissfully free of the overstyled exaggeration of some sedans, and the controls don’t get stranded in odd places or take on odd forms as a result. - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The interior is not as impressive a the exterior design, however, the center console has been revamped to better quality knobs and controls. The three-spoke steering gives great grip and steering feel, overall making the driver’s seat an engaging and fun place to be in.

Despite the standard cloth-upholstery, the seats are comfortable and supportive of the passengers. The cabin feels roomy until you have taller passengers in the back, then the sloping roofline feels like a hindrance. You can choose leather-upholstery as an optional upgrade along with power-adjustable front seats, sport seats, heated and ventilated seats.

All the competitors are equally matched here with the Sonata just edging ahead of the lot in terms of passenger volume. Its curvy design language, as opposed to the meaner and sharper looking rivals, adds the extra room inside. The Chevy Malibu comes close to the Sonata in this department, however it has to do with the second position only.

Cargo Capacity

Until recently Sonata used to boast the highest cargo capacity in the segment, though the trunk size has not decreased, the rivals have upped their game. Despite that, the 16.3 cubic feet trunk still remains adequate for most buyers, unless you frequently need to haul cargo.

The Buick Regal has an unbelievable 19.2 cubic feet storage at the back. While the rivals can come nowhere near to challenge those numbers, the Honda Accord comes with 16.7. The Camry however, has the smallest cargo volume with 14.1 cubic feet in the rear.

Infotainment System

Hyundai has probably the most ergonomic and user-friendly interface in its Blue-Link infotainment in the segment. With no lag on either touch responsiveness or voice commands, the Sonata has conquered the final barrier most sedans face in this price point.

Apart from that, the seamless connectivity through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard, which are usually kept as optional extras on the competitors. That said, some of the key highlights of the infotainment system are:

• Infinity 400-watt premium audio system
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio and HD Radio
• Sirius Travel Link (3-month subscription)
• Bluetooth handsfree phone connectivity with music streaming
• Wireless charging pad
• Bluelink connected car system (3-year subscription)
• Two USB ports (one at front and one at the rear)

Interior Features

Hyundai has a certain reputation to uphold when it comes to the interiors of the cars. Since they are known for their tech-loaded interiors, the 2020 Sonata is no different either. Some of the key highlights of the Sonata's interiors are:

• Tilt and telescopic, leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with cruise control
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power tilt and slide sunroof
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink
• LED interior ambient lighting
• Integrated memory system for driver seat and exterior folding rearview mirrors

The latest Sonata has a stylish six-sided grille that cleanly tucks into the hood, and drops a low grille nearly to the ground. The roof is long, the profile is low, and from some angles the 2020 Sonata resembles a big hatchback. - Car connection

Design and Dimensions

The Hyundai Sonata is a beautiful well proportioned sedan which has stood the test of time pretty well, since most of the sedans have moved onto edgier designs rather than fluidic theme that Hyundai maintains.

In order to improve Sonata’s dwindling sales in the past years, Hyundai took great care to come up with a more appealing design. Almost the entire front fascia has been redesigned. Hyundai’s new cascading grille design blends into the lower fascia for an aggressive face. The headlights also receive new LED running lights. For the Sport trims, there is a unique grille and fascia, along with dual exhaust tips.

The panoramic sunroof that was available till the last year is now replaced with an optional tilt-and-slide unit. This is done to reduce the weight of the car for a better fuel economy.

Exterior Features

The Hyundai Sonata has a few exclusive design cues on the outside that sets it apart from the crowd. Some of these highlights and features are:

• Chrome exterior door handles
• Sport cascading mesh grille
• Automatic headlights with LED DRLs
• Solar control windows
• Chrome side window surround
• All LED headlamps and taillamps
• Heated exterior mirrors with heating function and integrated LED indicators
• Hands-free smart trunk with auto open

The Hyundai compact sedan comes with a plethora of safety and crash mitigation features to keep you safe in the cabin and instill confidence that Hyundai got your back. Some of the key safety features integrated in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Blind Spot Detection (bsd) w/Lane Change Assist (lca) Blind Spot...
• and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (rcta) Rear Collision
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver Knee Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3...
• Back-Up Camera

2020 Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord

The Accord is one of the sedans previously mentioned which sport an edgy design compared to the fluidic styling on the Sonata. The engine performance on these sedans is quite similar, however, in terms of economy, the Honda is unrivaled. The interiors are comfortable in both of the sedans but the rear seats are roomier in the Accord for the taller audience. The Infotainment in the Hyundai is top-notch, while the Honda has a decent but not outstanding.

2020 Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry

The Camry has a superb 203 hp engine in the hood and has excellent driving dynamics not just in the city but also on the highways. The power lacks in the lower rev range but as the revs crescendo, the power rushes back. The transmission in the base model is much better on the Camry, but the higher trim on the Sonata has a better 8-speed automatic. The interiors are comfortable on both the sedans, functional and fundamental, but the Camry lacks basic sound deadening, which the Sonata excels at.

2020 Hyundai Sonata vs Ford Fusion

The Ford’s 2.5L engine is slightly more powerful compared to the 1.5L Hyundai’s, but the Korean sedan has much better fuel efficiency. The Fusion is a fun and peppy car to drive, compared to the refined and sophisticated handling in the Sonata. In terms of practicality and infotainment, the Hyundai far exceeds the Fusion a the base model, but the Sync3 optional infotainment from Ford is the best one in the segment.

The Sonata, much like the Accord is an all rounder, albeit a notch below the Honda, it surpasses most of the competition in driving dynamics, economy and versatility. The Sonata’s infotainment that Hyundai calls the Blue-Link has a flawless touchscreen and voice recognition. The transmission is smooth and predictable, and the optional 8-speed goes on to improve upon that. If you’re looking for a great mid-size sedan the Honda Accord is the best choice, but the Hyundai Sonata is the perfect alternative.