2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date

2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date

2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date - The car gets some new sheet metal on the hood, trunk, and front fenders. Additionally, the front and rear bumpers, grille, and lighting have also been updated. Hyundai says these changes were implemented so that the automobile makes more of a visual effect than before, and that has indeed been attained here. It definitely has some of the flairs that the sixth-generation automobile had that made it so popular and polarizing.

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date has always been an attractive option to cars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but sales of the Korean more mid-size (and many sedans for that matter) have sort of plateaued.

In addition to those changes, the car is provided with a vast array of wheels, from 16 to 18 inches in dimension, depending upon the trim model. More trimming packages now have standard LED lights, but in a strange movement, Hyundai has eliminated the standard panoramic sunroof to get a more conventional unit. The brand's justification is that it improves fuel economy by making the car lighter, but it was a real standout feature in past models, so it is a shame it has gone today. One convenient new feature is a hidden back release that's incorporated in the H badge on the rear. It is a bright and functional design touch that reduces visual distractions in the trunk.

Before the growth of crossover and SUV sales, midsize sedans reigned supreme. In 2012, midsize cars accounted for 16.1 percent of automotive earnings. Fast-forward to June 2017 and midsize cars' sales figures are just 10.8 percent, a stark reduction. At the exact same time, SUV sales have risen from 8.6 percent in 2012 to 12.7 percent now.

Midsize auto drivers are migrating to crossovers and SUVs for various reasons, such as all-wheel-drive capability, practicality and security features. Hyundai believes it can draw consumers back into sedans. Actually, it believes it just might have a few aces up its sleeve. For starters, the automaker is placing a tremendous amount of trust in its design team -- Hyundai's study found clients rank aesthetics before fuel economy, ride and value comfort.

Hyundai's design group took what it considered were the best cues from the golden child, the sixth-gen 2011 Sonata, and arming them. Edward Lee, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date designer, wanted to create something special, something to wow drivers.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date

Even though the 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder motor is precisely the same as in 2017, making 245 horse power and 260 pound-feet of speed, the eight-speed automatic transmission is all new. But Hyundai did not stop there, revising the rear suspension and steering system to boost responsiveness and handling. I spent my drive time around the twisty roads of Southern California and discovered the Sonata to be a spry small sedan. Actually, it might even surpass my beloved Mazda6 for driving enjoyment.

How can that be? Not only is that the Mazda6 way down on horsepower, but the Sonata's responsive automatic transmission is excellent at equipment choice. It's keen to downshift on corner leaves and retains the revs for some time, even if driving in Comfort mode. Switch to Sport, and the transmission keeps them for slightly longer and shifts even faster. You will find paddle shifters if you want to get dirty and down, but left to its own devices this brand new transmission is one of the sportiest I've encountered in some time. So much for Zoom Zoom.

Eco mode is not an exercise in frustration, either. Sure, it upshifts quicker for better gas mileage, making 26 miles per gallon combined from the 2.0T, but it is far from annoying. It will downshift quickly for passing and when accelerating from a dead stop, so that it's hard to distinguish the difference between Comfort and Eco mode. The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter motor carried a huge hit in electricity, right down to 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of revolving and mated to the six-speed automated transmission from 2017. I didn't get to sample this mixture, but presumably, the more compact electricity output and mature communication could put a significant damper on the fun.

The recalibrated steering offers quick inputs and an excellent on-center feel. There is no torque steer, even upon substantial acceleration from a dead end and that I did not notice any understeer while flinging the sedan through the twisties. Very impressive, Hyundai.

For 2018, the Sonata gets a brand new competitive front end, with what the Korean automaker is calling a "cascading grille." LED daytime driving lights are now standard on the 2.0T Shirts along with the available LED headlights with dynamic bending light are bigger than last year, bringing, even more, emphasis into the new grille.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date

2018 Hyundai Sonata Refreshed And Release Date

In the back, the available LED taillights are trimmer for 2018 along with the license plate was moved lower, bringing an uninterrupted, smooth line from the top of the trunk lid into the bumper. A soft-touch button at the center Hyundai logo opens the back. It's kind of cool.

Under the new hood, regardless of trim or model, lies a simple engine. Both the 2.4-liter inline 4 and 2.0-liter turbocharged lookup engines return with no functionality changes. The 2.4-liter still elevates out 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the punchier 2.0-liter turbo-four creates 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the 2.4-liter still makes do with the exact same six-speed automatic transmission, the 2.0-liter is currently matched to some new eight-speed automobile. Hyundai makes it in-house and says it is the first time it's been stuffed into a front driver.

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