Following its world premiere in Korea last month, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has now made its show debut in New York, and US specifications have been announced for the seventh-generation LF.
Shape-wise, the new car offers a more refined look through the company’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language as seen from the Korean debut photos, with some minor exterior differences between the US and domestic versions, notably at the front. Elsewhere, improvements over the outgoing car include a stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced NVH and additional safety and convenience features.
As previously mentioned, the new D-segment offering is slightly larger than the outgoing YF Sonata – it’s 35 mm longer and 30 mm wider, and its wheelbase length is up by 10 mm (from 2,795 mm to 2,805 mm now), translating into increased interior space.
The company proudly states that in areas such as passenger, cargo and interior volume, the new Sonata is class-leading against the likes of the 2014 Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima as well the Volkswagen Passat and Ford Fusion.
Engine choices for North America consist of a 2.4 litre Theta II GDI unit and 2.0 litre Theta II turbo mill. The 2.4 GDI, with 185 hp and 241 Nm, powers SE, Limited and Sport models, while the 2.0 turbo equips the Sport 2.0T variant.
According to the automaker, the 2.4 has a slightly reduced peak power to shift the power band downward for better responsiveness in lower-RPM situations, where customers spend the majority of their time. There’s also a new Electronic Intake Continuously Variable Valve Timing (E-CVVT), which improves performance in low temperatures and reduces emissions.
The 2.0 litre Theta II turbocharged GDI has also been revised – there’s E-CVVT, and the 245 hp and 352 Nm powertrain has also been optimised for lower-RPM drivability – the turbocharger features a smaller turbine and compressor wheel, which provide better responsiveness and more torque in the low and mid RPM range. Both Theta engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Sport 2.0T gets a new rack-mounted dual-pinion electric power steering system, which offers a more natural steering feel, as well as a unique sport-tuned suspension and larger 12.6-inch front brakes. Inside, the variant also features a different D-cut steering wheel, complete with paddle shifters, than the Korean domestic model. There’s also a new instrument cluster, with different needle positions and scheme.
Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, including a new driver’s knee airbag, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, traction control, ABS and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Lane Departure Warning System are all available for the car in the US market.
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must say the new camry looks better than this winter sonata
Exactly. This is what you get when your previous model was overly designed with so many busy lines. Now with all the lines gone, this is what you get.
“Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, including a new driver’s knee airbag, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, traction control, ABS and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Lane Departure Warning System”
Meanwhile in the all new toyota camry when it reaches malaysia, ABS + EBD with 2 airbags.
And after 1 year later when sales is almost 0, they add VSC to it and add two more airbag, and Master Sam Loo and his students will go around and start promoting it saying toyota care for your safety so they add this in and this is the safest car in the world.
The new camry grill is freaking huge leyh
Must be inspired by Almera for the front.
Nice kimchi car trying hard to catch up.
Brilliant way to enlarge a B segment car design and put to a D segment. Save a lot of money.
Nothing beats Camry when it comes to…. Ugliness…goodness are u blind?
Why the dashboard is so 80s?
exactly, reminds me of toyota corona used as a taxi in a small town.
Love the Superman grill.
You mean the “Subaru” grille?
More subtle, definitely need bigger rims.
Sonata LF Uncle Car … wakakaka
Just compare the new sporty US Camry with this…facepalm
you r right, let the old folks drive Hyundai, now Toyota no longer uncle car, Toyota don’t need those old folks support, only young and energertic people suit to drive Toyota brand. those old folks please go drive other junk brand.
But here in Bolehland only uncles and aunties can afford overpiced Camry while Sonata all can afford.
Go figure.
In US, Toyota Camry is defined as car for the middle age people, this means the American Uncles/Aunties go for the Camry while the young Chicos and Chicas go for Honda and Mazda..
The front bumper looks like prefacelift K5. The interior is simple and bland. While the US camry is trying not to be Camry, this Sonata is trying to be Camry. But it may not be a bad thing.
here come Korean contender, still come up impressive design, well done
What’s so impressive??
Proton should unveil the new Accordana at New York autoshow also lah. One step to become jaguh global like Hyundai.
Looks a lot more grown up now this car…don’t like how the design the interior center air vents though…looks weird there
very nice looking except for front grille Sport 2.0T variant with 245 hp and 352 Nm is so impressive.
2-3 years back, I can accept their fluid design and it was really wow.
But now…hmmm…
Can you go backward… Regress…u-turn…that is the new SONATA… Destined to DOOM…
Toyota’s days are numbered! End of days for Toyota, worldwide. Ha, ha, ha, ha ha.
I wonder how you call their days are numbered when they just regained the number One spot.
That is your opinion, but don’t be surprised it can sell hundred and thousands of units (not in Boleh Land of course).
It may not be in the Toyotas territory, but will probably scare the shit out of the Japs. car manufacturer.
what the heck with the center dash !? looks going backward compare to its predecessor.
Hyundai screwed this new Sonata. :(
Anyway, since the powertrain mostly remains unchanged, it’s a gooooood timing for people to buy the Sonata YF!
Hyundai went too far with the original Fluidic Sculpture. The 2.0 version is to tone down the design and make new Hyundai models to looke more uncle. :(
Please release the turbo version here in MY.
Waste of time….. Accord new model is way better than this exterior and interior!!!
they could’ve did better with the dashboard and centre console
they can angle the centre console towards the driver, makes it more driver orientated, and improve the overall looks as well
Looks like Hyundai designers are short of ideas.
Agreed the current model looks over designed, but this model definitely looks like a step backward in terms of exteriro and interiro design, and the worse thing is it is even bigger
Anthony Lim, you tagged incorrectly.. It is Hyundai instead of Kia…
How can uncle car have quad tailpipes ? Obviously not uncle car.it think it looks ok lah not everyone likes the old sonatas styling it was too much sometimes and people said it wont age well.I guess thats why hyundai toned it down abit.