It's not always easy to pull off a facelift in a segment where cars aren't traditionally stand-out to begin with, but Hyundai has done the most with the 2024 Sonata. The update is substantial in terms of aesthetics, and the Sonata looks more appealing, more modern, and much sportier than before. Inside, the Hyundai Sonata gets similar treatment and now features a curved display for driver information and infotainment, similar to BMW's Curved Display setup. Are these changes enough to keep the Sonata alive in the face of EV revolution and with the Ioniq 6 in production?

When Is The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Coming Out?

The new sedan is being launched globally at the end of March, but as far as a release date for the new Hyundai Sonata goes, it's likely to appear in the USA towards the end of 2023.

2024 Hyundai Sonata Price And Competition

The automaker hasn't revealed an exact price for the 2024 Hyundai Sonata range, but given the significant upgrades, it's likely that the base cost will rise by a few thousand dollars. Currently, the base Sonata goes for a little more than $25k, so expecting an MSRP of around $28k is reasonable.

Key rivals to the Sonata include the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, both of which are currently slightly more expensive to start. The Camry's base price for 2023 is $26,220, while the Accord starts at $27,295. This means that even with a $28k starting price for the updated Sonata, it's quite likely that it will retain its value proposition over these competitors.

New Hyundai Sonata Exterior And Colors

The upgrade to the exterior is both striking and an overt leap forward since sedans in this segment have historically been somewhat bland. Among rivals, the new Hyundai Sonata sedan is most definitely the most arresting, and this is largely due to the futuristic, gorgeous design. Embodying sportiness seems to have been the major brief for designers, so the new car's long hood and broad front end are suitably striking. A new Seamless Horizon Lamp stretches from corner to corner, something we've seen on the Ioniq 7 electric SUV concept some time ago, and creates a modern face where the headlamps are somewhat hidden beneath the new LED brow.

What's obvious is that the N Line's popularity has influenced designers of the new model, and the whole look has a stronger N Line DNA than ever before. The rear light signature is uber modern, too, carrying the elongated lightbar theme from the front through to the tailgate. N Line models have a rear spoiler, twin exhaust tips, and bespoke 19-inch wheels. Base models will likely continue on 16-inch wheels as standard, but new designs are possible.

As for exterior colors for the Hyundai Sonata, we expect the palette to be similar to what's on offer at present, which include demure grays and silvers, Calypso Red and Carbon Blue as slightly more exciting options, and perhaps a unique hue or two for hybrid variants. Hyundai hasn't noted whether any new colors will make an appearance.

Hyundai Sonata Dimensions

Official dimensions for the new Hyundai Sonata sedan haven't been made public, but it's likely to be similar to the current car, with a nip and tuck here and there, thanks to the exterior update. Still, the ballpark for key measurements includes a length of 192.9 inches, a width without mirrors of 73.2 inches, and a wheelbase of 111.8 inches. The 2023 Sonata stands 56.9 inches in height.

Curb weight for the new car should also be similar to what the current Sonata weighs, which starts at around 3,120 pounds and tops out at about 3,550 lbs in the heaviest guise.

Hyundai Sonata Engine And Performance

There is no news about changes to the 2024 Hyundai Sonata's engine and powertrain lineup, so we assume the same options will carry over. This includes a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, a turbocharged 1.6-liter with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, and a hybrid model with a combined 192 hp from a 2.0-liter hybrid setup. All of these models use an eight-speed automatic gearbox. N Line models traditionally come with the most power - 290 hp and 311 lb-ft directed through an eight-speed DCT - and this is likely to still be the case in the new models.

Performance from the Sonata sedan ranges from comfortable and economy-minded in the lower-rung models to spritely and exciting on the N Line. The best 0-60 mph time naturally comes from the latter, noted as a low-five-second sprint. Less powerful models need between seven and eight seconds for the benchmark dash.

Despite all sedans being FWD as standard, there's a possibility that the 2024 Sonata range may include AWD as an option. This could be an interesting step forward for the N Line models that strive to compete with more experienced sports sedans that come standard with AWD.

Gas Mileage

With no expected changes to powertrains, fuel economy will likely be similar for the new models, too. EPA-estimated mpg figures for the current Hyundai Sonata are pretty impressive for the segment, and with advancements made to the new model, which includes an aerodynamically enhanced exterior design specifically aimed at improving fuel economy, this is likely to be even better.

Current fuel economy ratings are 28/38/32 mpg city/highway/combined for the base model with the 2.5-liter engine, while the 1.6-liter turbocharged model gets 27/37/31 mpg. N Line cars understandably drop to 23/33/27 mpg. Hybrid models are by far the best, with 50/54/52 mpg on the entry-spec hybrids and 45/51/47 mpg on the rest of the trims.

Hyundai Sonata Interior And Cargo

The interior of the Hyundai Sonata has also received attention, which further elevates the Korean sedan above its rivals. The automaker notes that the sportier exterior needed a matching interior, so the inside of the upgraded eighth-gen Sonata is driver-focused, high-tech, and modern. This is personified in a panoramic curved display, comprised of the 12.3-inch driver information cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, set ergonomically in the dashboard. Keeping clutter to a minimum, the climate controls are touch-based, and the entire layout focuses on creating a sense of expansive space.

The Hyundai Sonata seats five in comfort, and the automaker has a reputation for being generous with standard features. Given that the 2023 models achieve impressive safety ratings, the 2024 models are likely to carry over the same specs and features, if not more. This includes tech such as forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection and lane keep assist. Heated seats, a surround-view monitor, and a head-up display are added as you move up through the trim levels.

While it doesn't specify what the interior color combinations for the new Sonata will be, Hyundai says the whole cabin has been upgraded with tasteful color combinations that emphasize a premium feel without sacrificing the new sporty vibe. Historically, base models have featured high-end cloth, with Dinamica and leather available as you move through the trims. While Hyundai may offer fresh fabrics, we'll have to wait and see what they could be when the configurator goes live.

Sedans and cargo space go hand in hand, and the Hyundai Sonata's trunk capacity has historically been pretty good, although not class-leading. If there are any changes to cargo volume, it's not likely to be much. As such, we expect the 16 cubic feet in the trunk to be carried over, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat opening up even more. Small item storage includes a large-size cup holder and tray, a glovebox, seatback pockets, and door pockets.