It’s higher to evoke a robust response, optimistic or unfavorable, than none in any respect. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata actually follows this mantra, instantly setting the stage with distinctive styling that is certain to garner a response. But the Sonata isn’t any mere one-trick pony — as an alternative, Hyundai’s assembled a whole-ass bundle that oozes worth and instantly pushes this new automobile to the highest of its phase.

LikeUnique looksGreat commonplace techCushy on-road demeanor

Don’t LikeUnique appearsNo AWD on provideCool new tech is Android-only

Funky outdoors, fancy insideFirst impressions matter, which is why the Sonata’s styling will both make or break it. It’s exhausting to not have an opinion on the best way the 2020 Sonata appears, however I’m of the assumption that it appears fairly superior. Bearing a resemblance to completely nothing else on the highway, particularly with my tester’s Glowing Yellow hue, the automobile turns heads and begs questions from different drivers like no different midsize sedan I’ve reviewed.Even in the event you disagree with the fish-face grille, there are such a lot of cool little components right here. The LED working lights actually mix into the chrome strip that runs almost the entire size of the automobile. The shoulder line will get sharper because it heads rearward, terminating at a dramatic rear finish with little vortex mills on the taillights. The new Sonata hearkens again to a time when Hyundai positioned quite a lot of weight on stand-out aesthetics, and I feel this system completely has the possibility to strike gold twice.

The dashboard appears unbelievable, as does the redesigned steering wheel.
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While the surface is a love-it-or-list-it affair, the inside ought to enchantment to patrons of all styles and sizes. Here, the design is a bit more sedate, choosing clear traces and glossy surfaces that really feel like they’d be at residence in any variety of luxurious automobiles. My SEL Plus tester’s leather-based seats are clean and supportive, and almost each contact level up entrance feels fancy.Despite the fashionable reduce within the Sonata’s roofline, there’s ample headroom within the rear, and legroom is greater than adequate for taller passengers. The trunk is equally capacious, and its vast opening makes stuff-shoving an absolute breeze. If that is not sufficient room on your junk, the middle armrest has house for a decently sized purse, the door panels will deal with loads of crumpled-up receipts and the cubby forward of the shifter is greater than sufficiently big for keys, telephones and wallets.

My solely actual grievance in regards to the inside is not distinctive to the Sonata. My tester’s piano-black trim may look slick when it is clear, however hoo boy, it can decide up (and dramatically spotlight) fingerprints like no different materials. Unless you want that greasy look, I like to recommend protecting a fabric helpful.

Cool and picked up on the highwayThe Sonata’s two largest opponents, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, have each entered new generations with newfound dynamics that make every automobile extra rewarding to drive in a spirited method. The Sonata’s been upgraded on this means, too, however having enjoyable isn’t this automobile’s focus — till the Sonata N-Line reveals up, anyway.Instead, this sedan does an amazing job interesting to patrons who need one thing predictable and comfy. The Sonata’s new chassis does exhibit some extra stiffness than earlier iterations, nevertheless it does not come off as sporty. Static dampers take in a superb quantity of the highway’s nastiness, solely actually transferring probably the most severe of actions to the cabin. Both highway and wind noise are delightfully low, too, giving the automobile a barely extra luxurious really feel than, say, a comparably geared up Accord.That concentrate on wise consolation makes its technique to different elements of the automobile, too. The steering is suitably direct, with a lighter total weight that prioritizes clean inputs. The brake pedal is progressive sufficient to make clean stops straightforward to execute. An ordinary eight-speed computerized transmission swaps cogs effortlessly with little really feel translated to these inside.
While many Sonatas will make do with the usual 2.5-liter inline-4 fuel engine, my SEL Plus tester rocks the 1.6-liter turbocharged I4 discovered on increased trims. 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque is not precisely world-changing, particularly when costlier trims of Accord and Camry are pushing out between 250 and 300 hp, however the Sonata’s torque arrives good and low within the rev vary, and I feel most patrons will discover its driving force greater than adequate.The Sonata’s output could be low, however its gas economic system is fairly spectacular. The EPA charges the Sonata SEL Plus at 27 mpg within the metropolis and 36 mpg on the freeway. While I used to be nearer to 23 mpg within the metropolis, I’m beating the freeway estimate by 1 or 2 mpg. Those figures are good, however they lag behind the two.5-liter Camry and the 1.5-liter Accord.In gross winter climate, the Sonata does not lose a lot of its composure, however I feel a change of tires will do a world of excellent right here. The commonplace 235/45R18 Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires aren’t that nice on snow or ice, inflicting the clunky traction management to kick in ceaselessly. All-wheel drive isn’t obtainable, however with the appropriate rubber, you need to really feel a lot safe with this front-driver.Dripping with contemporary techI have lengthy been a fan of Hyundai’s in-car tech, and the 2020 Sonata solely reinforces my beliefs, partially due to its notable complement of normal tools. An 8-inch touchscreen is included on all Sonatas, which is nice, as a result of I discover Hyundai’s system to be probably the greatest, providing easy accessibility to main options and laying out data in an easy trend. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace, too, within the occasion you’d relatively use what’s most acquainted.My tester one-ups the de facto package with not one, however two screens. The touchscreen on the dashboard grows to 10.25 inches, a part of a $2,750 Tech Package improve, and I’m an enormous fan of its configurable residence display that every one however eliminates the necessity to swap between map and audio pages. This SEL Plus trim additionally sports activities a 12.3-inch show within the gauge cluster. Switching between automobile modes introduces some cute graphics, however extra importantly, it reveals all of the pertinent automobile information I would like with minimal distraction.No matter the place depleted batteries are within the Sonata, there is a port for ’em. My tester carries two USB ports within the entrance cubby, along with a Qi wi-fi charger. The rear seats make do with a single charger, however hey, it is higher than nothing.The Sonata’s residence display just about covers every little thing I would like whereas behind the wheel.
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Nearly each one of many Sonata’s myriad security methods are included on each trim, protecting computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help and adaptive cruise management. The elective Tech Package improves upon that package with Highway Drive Assist, which mixes all of the aforementioned tech and holds the automobile in its lane on the freeway. HDA is sort of good at sustaining its place on the highway, however the steering rack’s fixed changes are felt relatively prominently by way of the wheel, which is able to really feel bizarre to drivers who aren’t used to it. The hands-on system may stand to inform drivers to maintain their fingers on the wheel extra usually, too.The 2020 Sonata additionally carries some new left-field tech, nevertheless it’s not meant for everybody. Hyundai’s Digital Key lets homeowners use their telephones instead of precise bodily keys, nevertheless it’s solely obtainable for Android customers, which suggests Apple customers (like myself) are reduce out from this tech. It’s a bummer, however each platforms nonetheless get entry to Hyundai’s Blue Link connected-car app, which provides distant begin, locking and unlocking and primary stuff like that.How I’d spec itEven with all that whiz-bang stuff I discussed, the Sonata is mighty inexpensive, with my second-highest SEL Plus trim asking $27,650 earlier than choices and $31,265 when every little thing is claimed and completed. That’s an amazing value, and to be sincere, this Sonata is just about precisely how I’d spec one for myself.The Sonata SEL Plus’ $27,650 base value is spectacular, contemplating it comes with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, wi-fi gadget charging and an autodimming rearview mirror. I’d most likely transfer to a much less grating shade, however the $2,750 Tech Package stays essential due to a strong Bose sound system, Highway Drive Assist and a large panoramic moonroof. I would not transfer as much as the $33,500 Limited trim except you actually need a head-up show and a surround-view digital camera.Down to brass tacksThe midsize sedan phase was as soon as the place to be, however although crossovers have swallowed up a large chunk of its gross sales, this nook of the trade is producing among the finest steel it has in years. The new Honda Accord locations a better concentrate on driving dynamics, however its inside does not really feel almost as premium because the Sonata’s. The newest Camry can wield a 300-horsepower V6, and it will quickly be obtainable with all-wheel drive, however its fashion (and, once more, its fanciness) lags behind the Hyundai’s. If you assume the Sonata is only a bit an excessive amount of, sister firm Kia has a brand new Optima on the best way that can be very, excellent.The final couple generations of Hyundai Sonata have been a little bit boring, with ho-hum nameless aesthetics in and out. It was a superb automobile, nevertheless it did not precisely make a press release. The 2020 Sonata, however, screams its advantages from the mountaintops with an out-there design however the identical concentrate on worth that Hyundai has at all times held pricey. Even in the event you’re not precisely bought on the styling, the Sonata is price your hard-earned cash for therefore many different causes.