Hyundai has unveiled a fresh new look and a technical upgrade for its struggling Sonata mid-size sedan, showing the car this week in South Korea and planning a mid-year launch in Australia.
The styling changes consist of a new family nose and tail that links with its siblings, particularly the upcoming i30. Inside are major cabin changes with a more premium look, while under the bonnet the drivetrain switches from a six-speed to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia hopes the new look will spark greater buyer interest in the fleet-focused car that was launched to take on rivals including the Toyota Camry.
Sonata sales have been disappointing, last year selling 1676 units for seventh spot in the sub-$60,000 mid-size car market. Its sales represented about half those each of Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo and just six per cent of the volume of segment leader, the Camry, with 26,485 sales in 2016.
This year to February, Sonata sales are down by about 70 per cent on the same period last year, with 106 sales for the two months.
To lure buyers back to the model, Hyundai has fitted its new corporate grille design that will be first seen in the flesh with the 2017 i30 due here next month.
Hyundai describes the standard-model grille as being like molten steel and which "emulates the elegant shape of a Korean celadon vase".
The flagship turbo model will be identified by a mesh radiator grille.
The nose also has vertical daytime running lights, a new bonnet with extended strakes and dummy intake grilles in the front spoiler ostensibly for brake cooling.
The boot line is higher and the car has been given more horizontal presence by the wide spacing of the "Sonata" lettering on the boot lid's edge.
The turbo model is identified by its different grille and darkened exterior features including dark chrome for the door handles, lower body and tail-light surrounds. It also has a chrome rear diffuser and exhaust pipe tips to give it an upmarket appearance.
Inside, the centre console has bigger controls and uses what Hyundai describes as "piano key" buttons for items such as the radio, heating and air-conditioning.
Standard equipment includes a seven-inch touchscreen, though the Elite and Premium may be offered in Australia with an eight-inch version.
Like some others in the Hyundai range, the Sonata is expected to get upgraded connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai will not announce pricing and specifications for Australia until closer to launch but it is hoping that the new car will include the wireless phone charging pad on the centre console that was fitted to the South Korean variant.
Safety equipment is yet to be decided for Australia but is hoped that the list will include lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, cornering headlights, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Engines are carried over from the existing __cars that were launched here in early 2015.
Australia will get the 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder aspirated engine, as well as the 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol mill for the upmarket Elite and Premium versions.
Hyundai has replaced the six-speed automatic transmission with an eight-cog model that comes with paddle shifters and four modes – comfort, eco, sport and smart. There is no report on the fuel economy advantages of the new transmission, although the fuel consumption of the current Sonata is not considered industry leading.
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