2014 Hyundai Sonata Refresh

[Swallow Doretti]

Not a huge number of changes--new front grille and bumper, new center console with a bigger navigation screen and a more conventional center stack, and (IMHO) a nicely refreshed rear end that looks better than what was there before. Also, the Sonata gets the selectable steering rate function from the Elantra GT, an electronic parking brake, plus some other minor enhancements that will surely be trumpeted in a press release at LA or Detroit but really mean diddly-squat to the average consumer.

Presumably going on sale in January as a 2014 here, and in Korea in the fall. The all-new Sonata debuts late next year.

[horsty69]

Minor but nice touches...I think this car looks great in high trim levels...and dare I say I think it is aging better then the Kia which feels oddly dated to me already.

[kraut_pauer79]

I like the more conventional center stack buttons, looks way less chintzy than the current layout. The taillights look like they are neon or LED now.

too bad there's no way at all to refresh the ugly out of the front end design.

[curvedinfinity]

Minor but nice touches...I think this car looks great in high trim levels...and dare Isay I think it is aging better then the Kia which feels oddly dated to me already.

I have to say I feel this as well, which is funny because I really liked the Optima pre-release and up until I saw a few in person. I don't know what it is about that car, but it really started looking boring to me after seeing it on the highway a few times. I remember thinking it looked like a $40-50k car at one point, but now it seems ho hum. OTOH, I think the Sonata still looks great.

[2.0T_Convert]

I don't like the refreshed center stack. Even if it is more functional and conservative I liked the little Volvoesque figure for the climate functions.

[Mazda 3s]

Center stack looks like a step back IMHO (at least compared to current trims with GPS), and the wheels are "eh".



The other changes are nice. From what I can tell, it looks like the steering wheel is finally leather all the way around outside of the rim instead of part leather/part vinyl. The actual steering wheel design is still "blah" IMHO.

[omoderncultureo]

Link

[GTRaavv]

Fixed pretty much everything I didn't like about the current model. However, like with the Passat CC, I find the greenhouse shape rather dated already.

[mikegilbert]

Kudos to Hyundai for installing a nice rolltop desk-style cupholder cover- something Audi seems to have forgotten.

[Mazda 3s]

Kudos to Hyundai for installing a nice rolltop desk-style cupholder cover- something Audi seems to have forgotten.

That's just for the Korean market I think. The current car has the roll cover, but we get exposed cupholders in the U.S.

I doubt that will change for the revised model. I doubt that we'll get the LED running lights over the fogs either.

[Shomegrown]

I have to say I feel this as well, which is funny because I really liked the Optima pre-release and up until I saw a few in person. I don't know what it is about that car, but it really started looking boring to me after seeing it on the highway a few times. I remember thinking it looked like a $40-50k car at one point, but now it seems ho hum. OTOH, I think the Sonata still looks great.

You really think it's boring? I find the car is at least uniquely styled, though the end result is weird and awkward to me. I feel like it's going to look frighteningly dated in short time, much like when I see a Kia Amanti in traffic today (cringes).

[horsty69]

You really think it's boring? I find the car is at least uniquely styled, though the end result is weird and awkward to me. I feel like it's going to look frighteningly dated in short time, much like when I see a Kia Amanti in traffic today (cringes).

I dont find the Kia boring, but I dont think its aging well. I do think that the Hyundai will age as well as the previous gen sonata which I'd say still looks decent although a bit boring on the road


oh and thanks for buring my retinas with mental images of the Amanti.

[Swallow Doretti]

I doubt that will change for the revised model. I doubt that we'll get the LED running lights over the fogs either.

Well, the new Santa Fe and Genesis Coupe get the LEDs over the fogs, and all Velosters sport LEDs for 2013, so I'd say it's probably a safe bet for the Sonata.

[Mazda 3s]

Well, the new Santa Fe and Genesis Coupe get the LEDs over the fogs, and all Velosters sport LEDs for 2013, so I'd say it's probably a safe bet for the Sonata.

None for the Azera though...



The Santa Fe Sport, Gen Coupe, and Veloster all tip to a sportier crowd. The Sonata and Azera are more demure. But you're usually right, so I defer to you...

[Swallow Doretti]

The Santa Fe Sport, Gen Coupe, and Veloster all tip to a sportier crowd. The Sonata and Azera are more demure. But you're usually right, so I defer to you...

Weird on the Azera. BTW, the regular Santa Fe gets the LEDs as well.

Personally, I hate the LEDs in the headlights...I think it's really played out.

[HK]

Looks like the new Altima, and Atlima looks like the Lexus ES.

[DISI 2.3T]

When someone mentioned the other day that the front end looked like an Aztek, I can't un-see that now.

[Yo Teach]

Presumably going on sale in January as a 2014 here, and in Korea in the fall. The all-new Sonata debuts late next year.

Damn, that's some quick turnaround. The next generation will debut before the 2014 MCE reaches its actual calendar year if that prediction holds true.

[SAV912]

None for the Azera though...



The Santa Fe Sport, Gen Coupe, and Veloster all tip to a sportier crowd. The Sonata and Azera are more demure. But you're usually right, so I defer to you...

That's because the Azera has the LED strips in the headlamp clusters.

[CP1]

The grill treatment is better, but what happened to this version which is even better?



Hyundai really needed to rework that "upper lip" as well (which they did in the above rendering).

They also should have redone the headlight shape so that it's more like the hybrid's.

As for the center stack, agree that it's a step backwards (looks more bland/typical and a bit busy).



Also, too bad they didn't redo the steering wheel design which is one of the uglier ones on the market right now.

Only other thing I would change is to make the side crease less pronounced, but that would be asking too much.

Presumably going on sale in January as a 2014 here, and in Korea in the fall. The all-new Sonata debuts late next year.

Damn, that's some quick turnaround. The next generation will debut before the 2014 MCE reaches its actual calendar year if that prediction holds true.

That would be the KDM debut for the all-new Sonata; the US launch likely won't be until mid-2014, but still, that would only be 1 year w/ the "refresh" Sonata.

Still, that's quick - doesn't seem that long ago when the current Sonata launched.

Supposedly, the next gen Sonata will retain the basic look of the current Sonata - just changing and toning down some elements.

[omoderncultureo]

http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/board/bu...onal&No=423288

[horsty69]

I seem to be in the minority but I much prefer the new center stack...I just wish they ( as well as other makers) would do away with the shifter in the center, make it push button or something like the MB GL has....no need for it there, takes up space and makes everything look fussy.

[WhistlerYOW]

Looks like a page out of the Honda/Toyota refresh book... I like that they ditched the faux Volvo climate controls though.

[socarwolverine]

OP says the rear is "refreshed", but I can't see the difference.