We first saw the refreshed Hyundai Sonata back in March when the South Korean automaker revealed the updated sedan for its home market. Now Hyundai is launching the 2024 Sonata in the United States with a sharp new look, bigger screens inside, and optional all-wheel drive for the first time.
The U.S.-spec Hyundai Sonata appears basically identical to the Korean model, sporting a piercing new front end dominated by a full-width LED strip mounted above a chiseled bumper. The rear light bar has also been redesigned with the LEDs forming an “H,” visually linking the sedan with the new 2024 Santa Fe. The N Line also gains a rear lip spoiler and oval exhaust tips, and there are new wheel designs across the lineup.
While the striking visual revisions are the most obvious updates, there have also been major changes under the skin. While the base 191-hp naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four sticks around, the 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that came with the pricier SEL and Limited trims has been dropped. The biggest news, however, is that the the 2.5-liter engine can now be paired with all-whee drive, a first for the Sonata. The front-biased system will allow Hyundai to compete for sales with the likes of the all-wheel-drive Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy.
The sporty N Line model carries over for 2024, still pumping out 290 hp from a 2.5-liter turbo four and sending that oomph to the front wheels only. The hybrid model is also unchanged for 2024, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder pairing with an electric motor for a total of 192 hp. Hyundai says that the hybrid now comes with paddle shifters and a regenerative-braking mode. The horsepower figures for all three powertrains haven’t been confirmed yet, but we don’t expect any changes compared to the outgoing model.
Author: Caleb Miller
Source: Car & Driver