Viewed from the outside, the totally redesigned
2015 Hyundai Sonata seems more evolutionary than revolutionary compared to its predecessor; but a closer look at this eye-appealing mid-size sedan, and one finds most underpinnings are new. There's a bit interior more room too, as overall width and length each increase by one inch from the outgoing sixth-generation offering.
The front-wheeled-drive Sonata remains Hyundai's longest-running model in the U.S., debuting back in 1988.The previous sixth generation (2011-2014) was visually revolutionary thanks to a bold 'fluidic sculpture' design, helping it stand out in the crowed mid-size segment.
Overall, Hyundai sales have trended upward steadily in the past five years. Sonata and the compact Elantra make up a whopping 60 percent of Hyundai's total North American sales. Sonata was Hyundai's first model ever to exceed 200,000 unit sales in U.S. in a single year back in 2011.
Trim levels receive a tweak, with six available. The 2015 Sonata now offers the entry SE, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0 turbo, Sport 2.0 turbo with ultimate package and new- for-2015 Eco. Gone is the GLE trim.
Three four-cylinder engines include a new-for-Sonata turbocharged 1.6-liter with 177 horsepower delivering a Sonata best 28 mpg city and 38 highway. It's the Eco trims sole engine. The 2.0-liter turbo with a twin-scroll design delivers 245 horses, the most potent of the 2015 engines. Limited, Sport and SE trims include a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter with 185 horses (down from 200). All engines mate with automatic transmissions.
Part of refining Sonata's trio of gas engines involves improving low-end and mid-range performance, resulting in slightly lower horsepower readouts.
Sonata continues offering a gas-electric hybrid in 2015, but it's largely a carryover from 2014. The 2016 Sonata hybrid will carry many updates found in the 2015 gas-powered edition. Currently no all-electric or plug-in hybrids are on the docket.
Hyundai continues pursuing hydrogen fuel cell technology, and offers a hydrogen-powered version of its compact Tucson crossover in southern California, a region home to a limited-number of public hydrogen fueling stations.
Mike O'Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, credits South Korea's largest automaker with taking chances and responding quickly to customer needs as reasons Hyundai's sales have surged. O'Brien addressed the Chicago-area automotive media in Oak Brook prior to a day-long Sonata excursion via U.S. 12 east from Chicago to Ann Arbor Michigan. O'Brien reiterated Hyundai's successful U.S. turn around and traces the roots back to the game-changing long-term powertrain warranty introduced in 1998.
Quicker customer response improved Hyundai's ranking in J.D. Power's influential 2014 Initial Quality Study of all major U.S. automakers. Hyundai placed fourth behind posh automakers Porsche, Jaguar and Lexus, ranking Hyundai as the top non-luxury automaker.
This seventh-generation Sonata incorporates fluidic sculpture 2.0, the logical step forward from Hyundai's 2009 fluidic sculpture intro. Fast-arching rear 'C' pillars measure almost as narrow as the front 'A' pillar. A rear spoiler comes standard in all trims as do luxury-enhanced LED running lights. Sport and Sport 2.0 turbo trims boast quad exhausts, with SE and Eco trim's sporting single pipes. Side-view mirrors include secondary blinker bands.
During Sonata's sixth-generation incarnation, Hyundai dropped the available six-cylinder powertrain. Engineers could plan ahead for a smaller engine compartment and larger cabin region knowing in advance under hood dimensions need not accommodate a bulkier six cylinder. The result? One of the largest passenger volumes (106.1 cubic feet) in the mid-size universe, allowing three adults to travel with respect in row two. Head and leg room remain decent.
While subtle differences between this seventh and the previous sixth generation are many, interior quietness may be the one initially noticed. Another first for Sonata is an available rear side sun shades, the first in a non-luxury sedan. Also new but less visible are underbody covers along the bottom, reducing turbulence and offering, "a better take off feel from a standing stop" according to O'Brien.
Push-button start comes standard with an "off" indicator along the outside ringed frame, a friendly reminder which illuminates when the engine retires for the evening. Trunk and fuel-release buttons are located along the far left-side of the dash, conveniently up-level from the floor next to the driver's seat. Dual in-line cup holders remain in front of a stationary arm rest lid.
All trims include three driving modes: normal, eco and sport adjusting throttle and transmission calibrations for different on-road driving experiences. The push button selector is adjacent to the transmission shifter. The electronic parking brake tab is nearby.
The eight-inch, color touch screen includes navigation audio tutorials easier to maneuver than the recently-tested $60,000 Kia K900 full-size sedan. Also working in tandem with the touch screen is a row of well-marked push buttons for quickly signaling radio, navigation, phone and map requests on screen.
Sonata's $21,150 starting price checks in $300 less than the outgoing 2014 edition. The new Eco trim lists at $23,275 and its only factory option, a technology package, adds $4,100. Our tester for the week, a Limited trim started at $26,525. The sole Limited option bundle, a $1,550 Ultimate Package, brought the bottom line to $32,385 including $810 destination charge.
An updated center column, now slightly pitched towards the driver, has been widened, while a profile fan mode selector with buttons shaped in outline anatomy form, have been exchanged for a more traditional style. Circular dials control temperature while buttons are used for fan direction and speed. The Limited's colorful dash includes faux-wood, bushed aluminum and two more surface and door colors.
The lower portion of the center column includes to 12-volt outlets along with auxiliary and USB ports for interacting with portable electronics. Smartly, this entire section includes a retractable flap, keeping electronics out of sight when desired. Fuel door and power trunk buttons are located on the far, lower left dashboard, a smarter local than the floor left of the driver's seat. The large, easy-to-view instrument panel includes two large, flat, circular analog gauges with white backlighting and a center digital window.
The 16.3 inch cubic feet of trunk space tops Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. Second-row seatbacks folds down with a 60/40 split in all trims (once unlocked via trunk-located pull wires) for increased cargo-carrying possibilities . The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of regular, 87-octane gasoline.
Think of Sonata as a worthy vehicle easily in the same class as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord designed for an average family in an average Chicago suburb. It's not engineered for competitive racing, but a well-built, easy-to-drive vehicle with impressive powertrain warranty capable of getting families from point a to point b in style. It's also priced aggressively with a lower entry price point than 2014.
A majority of Sonata and Elantra models sold in the U.S. are built in Montgomery, Alabama's state capital. Operational since 2005, the new, ultra-modern facility churns out almost 400,000 units annually.
At A Glance
2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Price as tested: $32,385
Length: 191.1 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Engine: 2.4-liter
Horsepower: 185
Curb weight: 3,371 pounds
Powertrain warranty: 10 year/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 24 mg city, 35 mpg highway
Assembly: Montgomery Alabama