Setting the Way-Back machine to 1988, we find Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman teamed together at theatres in the offbeat cinematic release of 'Rain Man,' the Jamaican Bobsled team making an unexpected splash at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada and upstart South Korean automaker Hyundai expanded its U.S. lineup to include the mid-size front-wheel-drive Sonata, now the longest-tenured vehicle in the lineup.
The current 2018 edition continues with a seventh-generation platform, online since the 2015 model year. The Sonata's exterior carries forward Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture,' introduced in Generation Six, an artful expression with a sleek posture. Most Hyundai vehicles now incorporate this exterior design philosophy.
The highly competitive mid-size sedan segment is tailor-made for today's bustling suburban families. Sonata out paces segment rivals with practical safety nuances easy to master. It's the sole operator in its class with both blind-spot detection and rear cross traffic alert standard in all trims.
For those pulling into and out of tight parking spots at the office or shopping mall on a regular basis, these two technologies utilize radar sensors to identify cross traffic activities behind, often shielded from view due to adjacent parked vehicles. More than once during our week's testing; these dual technologies came to the rescue.
Another peace-of-mind consideration is Hyundai's no-cost, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty; one longest in the business.
As with a majority of family-specific mid-size sedans, Sonata offers no six-cylinder powertrains. Instead three four-cylinder choices return unchanged from 2017, including two turbocharged offerings.
A naturally aspirated (non turbo) 2.4-liter generates 185 horsepower connected to a six-speed automatic. It's standard in SE, SEL, Sport and Limited trims delivering 25 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway.
The Sonata Eco remains the sole trim employing a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine cranking out 178 horsepower and generating the best fuel economy of the powertrain trio (28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway) while connecting to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The horsepower champ: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four delivering 245 horsepower. It's available in Sport and Limited trims with a new-for-2018 eight-speed automatic transmission. Selectable via a push button near the automatic transmission shifter; three drive modes.
Sonata returns two high-mileage hybrid powertrain choices set to arrive next spring. A gas-electric hybrid (non-plug-in version) will be available in all 50 states while a plug-in hybrid electric version (PHEV) gets the go-ahead in select coastal regions.
Consider 2018 a mid-cycle update with notable updates including a rear suspensions update in all trims with thicker trailing arms, better able to handle and smooth out heavier loads.
Behind the wheel, Sonata's a comforting vehicle to pilot thanks to increased torsion bar stiffness within the steering system, a 2018 upgrade. It's a family-friendly, affordable mid-sizer with better-than average safety nuances, not a performance ride.
As the 2017 calendar year sets to close, Sonata continues as Hyundai's second best-selling vehicle with 123,295 units sold through November. The compact Elantra rates as the South Korean automaker's top-seller here in the states.
Our Limited tester with optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo comes fully loaded with the only extra a $125 floor mat ding. With a $32,450 starting price and $885 destination charge, the bottom line reached $35,460, representing the most opulent Sonata available. Sonata starts at $22,050 for a base SE with the naturally aspirated (non turbo) 2.4-liter powertrain.
Limited trims ordered with the 2.0-turbo includes as standard fare lazar-enhanced cruise control, automatically slowing and speeding Sonata based on the distance of the vehicle ahead on the highway; rear parking sensors; dynamic bending headlights and lane keep assist (audio beeping if Sonata drifts outside its committed parameter).
For 2018, headlights and tail lights incorporate a narrower stance while the hood is new and trunk lid grows in size. The 2.0-turbo differentiates from other Sonata trims with mesh center grille inside the oversized and new-for-2018 hexagonal frame flanked by black bezel headlights and a black lower front bumper. Chrome trim surrounds side windows.
Inside, a relatively simplistic instrument panel easily digests at a glance. Two circular analog gauges (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer) flank a multi-panel 4.2-inch cluster message center controllable via a push selector located on the three-spoke steering wheel's 3 o'clock face. The design is not dissimilar to the Genesis G80's luxury sedan's IP. Genesis is Hyundai's all-new luxury division launched in 2016.
At night, all doors and a majority of the dash illuminate with cool blue backlighting. Secondary red spot- color appears on the triangle hazard button and dual temperature zone indicators. The instrument panel glows with white backlighting and hot red needles.
Push-button start locates on the lower dash right of the steering column. To the column's left, trunk and fuel door release buttons, a far superior location than the floor. Always appreciated, Sonata's low-tech, simplistic and effective single-letter identifier (NSEW) tucked into the upper right hand corner of the rearview mirror signaling the vehicle's forward direction.
Limited editions add a larger 8.0-inch in-dash multi-function screen anchoring the center dash. The touch-sensitive requires no secondary dial to twist or off-screen buttons to summon.
Dual zone temperature selection dials flank two rows of well-marked push buttons and brushed aluminum tabs controlling a range of selections from fan speed and direction (top row) to air conditioning, front and rear defrosters and our Limited's heated steering wheel and seats (bottom row). In a cubby hole below: two 12-volt outlets, auxiliary port and USB port.
Sonata's mid-size dimensions create a suitable row two able to accommodate three riders. If only two partake, a fold-down armrest is available. Seatbacks fold in 60/40 fashion once trunk-located pull tabs get yanked. All trims now include a backrow USB charge port.
Android Auto and Apple Carplay come standard, allowing easy in-dash screen interaction with must-have Smartphones.
Another high-tech interface returns: Hyundai's cloud-based Blue Link telematics. This platform provides convenience service and proactive maintenance reminders for subscribers. Blue Link remotely locks and unlocks doors and remotely starts the vehicle through Smartphone applications. Blue Link also searches for street addresses, schedules vehicle maintenance services at Hyundai dealerships and calls for emergency assistance after an altercation. Hyundai introduced Blue Link in 2011 and for 2018, now communicates with Amazon Echo, allowing drivers to interact with Sonata inside homes.
Blue Link is optional in SE, not available in Eco and standard in other trims with three years of complimentary connected service.
A majority of mid-sized Sonata and compact 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 approximately 400,000 units annually.
At A Glance
2018 Sonata Limited
Price as tested: $33,460
Length: 191.1 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 245
Powertrain warranty: 10 year/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
Assembly: Montgomery, Alabama
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