Hyundai Sonata facelift officially launched in Korea

Hyundai Sonata facelift officially launched in Korea

After being teased in sketch form, and leaked a little while after that, the Hyundai Sonata facelift has finally made its debut in South Korea. The refreshed D-segment model, which is still in its seventh generation, should make its way to other markets following its domestic market launch.

Buyers there will get four engines to choose from – a 1.7 litre VGT diesel (141 PS/340 Nm), a 1.6 litre Gamma T-GDI petrol (180 PS/265 Nm), a 2.0 litre Nu petrol (163 PS/196 Nm) and a range-topping 2.0 litre Theta T-GDI petrol with 245 PS/353 Nm. A seven-speed DCT is paired with engines that are below 2.0L in capacity, while the 2.0L NA and 2.0 turbo units get a six-speed auto and eight-speed auto, respectively.

As we were shown earlier, the Sonata adopts a sharper and more aggressive styling inspired by the new i30. At the front, a smaller but more angular Cascading Grille makes way for the sleeker headlights, while the fog lamp enclosures contain the vertical LED DRLs. The 2.0 Turbo model will get a diamond mesh pattern for the grille, a different DRL setup and plenty of black accents.

Not a whole lot of changes down the vehicle’s flanks, aside from the redesigned 17- and 18-inch wheels, which are variant dependant. For the rear, Hyundai introduced new two-piece taillights and a cleaner-looking boot, which pushes the number plate holder further south. The reflectors get reshaped to fit this new arrangement too.

Inside, the Sonata retains its familiar dashboard layout, albeit with updates to various areas like the air-conditioning and infotainment switchgear. The latter is now linked to a 7-inch colour touchscreen that now comes as standard on all variants of the Sonata, with the option of a larger 8-inch unit.

A new three-spoke steering wheel are also featured here, with the 2.0 Turbo receiving a flat-bottomed version, together with sportier front seats. Other revisions include a new gear knob, USB charging port in the centre console, wireless smartphone charging capability (first time), plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

For safety, the sedan comes with a suite of driver assistance technologies like Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist, Dynamic Bending Lights, and a Lane Keep Assist function.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • sohhai on Mar 08, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    The shortcomings of the pre-facelift version was the dated interior. Hyundai have gotten their priorities wrong and heavily redesigned an elegant-looking exterior to something that looks like it belongs to a B or C-segment car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • Mikey on Mar 08, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    Foo Yoh, don’t play play with the Koreans man. Hyundai Sonata is baying 4 the Japs blood with a 2.0 turbo D-segment car.

    This one will make the Camry/Accord/Teana & Mazda-6 stand up. Good job Hyundai. Please continue to offer at least 5 years warranty plus 2/3 years extra 4 your transmission & sell it just 10-15% lower.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
    • Suhaimi Sulaiman on Mar 08, 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Proton must learn from the Koreans. One car company sleeps and sell only 72,000 cars. The Korean Hyundai sells 10,000 cars globally because they work hard and not relax

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • Winter on Mar 08, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Rindu jaguar Sonata.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Sohai(ori) on Mar 08, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Anoter disaster, FL looks worse than the ori… example current Altis..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 11
  • Anything But P1, Greedy P2 on Mar 08, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Very disappointing. Exterior looks like a stretched Axia, the interior looks like a boring 1980s American saloon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 22
    • QChan on Mar 08, 2017 at 7:28 pm

      Yes, very disappointing indeed!

      Apart from the GDi Turbo engines, this facelift is an exercise of regression – inside and out(!), making the current model appear bland but positively stately!!!

      They attempted to inject sportiness and aggression onto the existing bodyshell, but the overall impact is one of incongruence – cheap-looking even, for a D-Segment car. The interior offer no improvements whatsoever – the sombre wood-grained panels makes me wanna jump out of my skin….!

      I’ll certainly pass this one…….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Look carefully, it look like the old generation peugeot 308. Dont believed, go and search.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • wolfsburg on Mar 08, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    The back of the car is really nice looking

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Wow, this is a good facelift. It’s the interior which improved tremendously. The Apple Carplay/Android Auto is an overdue addition while I also spot an electronic parking brake now.

    Hyundai Sime Darby should just bring in the 2.0 Turbo for RM150k. Confirm I buy one over the Honda Accord.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Image of ‘D’ class sedan lost. No more glamour, just sporty. The 1st gen sonata is still the best looking

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
 

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