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2015 Hyundai Sonata is all-new from the ground up and is the fourth generation of the familiar midsize sedan to be sold in the United States. Similar in shape and size to the outgoing model, the new Sonata boasts new safety features, freshened engines and a completely new level of smartphone connectivity.
Sonata comes only as a four-door sedan with a coupe-like styling. Competitors include the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and the mechanically similar Kia Optima. Overall length has increased by 1.3 inches, while width is up by 1.2 inches. Wheelbase increases by only .4 inches to 110.4 inches. Hyundai claims the new chassis is 41 percent stiffer than the outgoing model and the .27 coefficient of drag is the lowest in the class.
Trim levels include SE, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0T and Eco. All are front drive. SE, Sport and Limited get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 185 horsepower. Sport 2.0T gets a 2.0-liter turbo four with 245 horsepower. Eco models, which won't be available until October, get a 1.6-liter turbo four that makes 177 horsepower. 2.4- and 2.0-liter engines come with a six-speed automatic and the 1.6-liter gets a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that is said to improve fuel economy and shift response time. The current-generation Sonata Hybrid will continue on the old bodystyle for one more year.
Available features include smart cruise control with auto stop, electric parking brake, memory seats, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, rear window shades, LED interior lights, HID headlamps, LED running and tail lights and panoramic sunroof. Also available is a new convenience feature called Hands-Free Trunk Release. Safety systems include a new driver knee airbag, rear-view camera, lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist.
Available later in the model year is the "next big thing" in automotive smartphone integration. Depending on phone type, it's called Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Both systems allow for an enhanced tethered connection of your iOS or Android device to the Sonata's 8-inch touchscreen display.
Prices range from $21,150 for the SE, which is $300 less than last year, to $28,575 for the Sport 2.0T. The Sonata is built at Hyundai's new factory in Alabama and has a destination charge of $810.
Get Up and Go Most Sonata buyers will be completely happy with the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four cylinder. It's smooth, economical, has good power off the line and offers solid passing punch. It mates well to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth upshifts and prompt downshifts.
Those wanting a little more power are forced to step up to the Sport 2.0T that comes with a considerable price bump. The 2.0T offers significantly more scoot than the NA engine, but doesn't feel as peppy at the 2.0-liter turbo in the Ford Fusion or the V6 in the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima.
Eco models get a smaller 1.6-liter turbo four that's on-par, performance wise, with the base engine. The bonus is improved fuel economy -- among the best non-hybrid city and highway MPG in the class. The Eco engine also mates to an advanced dual-clutch automatic with seven forward speeds. The advantage of a dual clutch automatic is quicker gear changes and improved fuel economy.
All Sonatas run fine on regular-grade gasoline. EPA fuel economy numbers are impressive. The 2.4-liter engine nets 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 29 mpg overall. The 2.0T engine numbers are 23, 32 and 26. The ECO model has yet to be officially certified, but Hyundai pegs the numbers at a class leasing 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined. Regardless of model, the new Sonata is a likely to be a fuel economy leader.
On the Road Hyundai's positioning of Sonata as a mainstream midsize sedan translates into fairly pedestrian handling and road-holding traits. In this case, that's certainly not a bad thing. Overall, ride comfort is impressive. The suspension does an excellent job of filtering small impacts and softening large jolts. It also doesn't bounce and bound over railroad tracks or pothole-strewn streets. The 2.0T models offer a touch more composure but that comes with slightly elevated levels of vibration from the sport-tuned wheels and tires.
Handling levels are appropriate for the class with a fair amount of understeer dialed in for safety. Still, Sonata goes where you point it without complaint unless you are driving well above the speed limit. Brakes have plenty of stopping power and an easy to modulate pedal. Unfortunately, the steering isn't as dialed in as it should be. There's little communication between the wheels and steering wheel and highway on-center feel is almost non-existent. This is a common trait among Hyundai models and could easily be fixed with subtle software updates to the electronic steering system.
Noise levels are appreciably lower than the outgoing model, putting Sonata near the head of the class when it comes to a quite cabin. There's just a whisper of wind noise at speed and the tires only complain on roughly grooved concrete pavement.
Behind the Wheel Sonata's interior has been nicely updated and is modern and contemporary. Materials seem more than appropriate for the class and fit-and-finish on the pre-production models tested was more than up to snuff.
Drivers face two large gauges split by a nice color information screen. This is becoming the norm, but the Sonata has the design nailed for easy readability. The center stack boasts nicely arranged audio and climate controls and the available navigation system is easy to program and use -- especially when using voice commands. Ancillary controls are placed without fault.
Sonata is available with several interesting technology features. Bluelink is Hyundai's version of OnStar. It uses cellular technology connected to the vehicle to provide directions and roadside assistance. Though it isn't perfect, it's a nice effort to help limit driver distraction when using the navigation system.
Also available later in the year will be Apple's Car Play and Android Auto. With these systems, the car's display screen becomes your phone's touch screen, allowing you to interact with your phone in the same way you are familiar. In addition, both systems take advantage of the phone's speech recognition to allow for hand's free operation of phone, music and navigation systems. According to Hyundai, people who purchase a 2015 Sonata today will be able to add Apple Car Play or Android Auto once it is available at the dealership at no additional cost provided they have purchase a vehicle with the navigation system.
One great new safety feature is lane-change assist. It warns when traffic to the rear is approaching too quickly to safely change lanes and works as advertised. It is a nice enhancement to basic blind-spot alert systems.
The front seats are quite comfortable and provide plenty of support for long-distance cruising. Head and leg room are quite good as well. Rear seats are fairly flat but do provide enough comfort. Head and leg room are also quite good for the class, allowing four adults to ride in comfort or five in a pinch. Getting in and out is easy and outward visibility is great.
The truck offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space. That's above average for the class. The trunk opening is quite wide and the hinges don't impinge on cargo space. Also, the rear seats fold nearly flat, creating a long cargo floor. Interior storage is perhaps a bit tight. There are a few small bins up front and door map pockets are large, but overall it falls short of some competitors that have deep cubbies under the center stack.
A nice new feature is Hyundai's Hand-Free Trunk Release. It opens the trunk remotely. All you have to do is stand at the rear of the vehicle with the keyfob in your pocket and the trunk will open.
Bottom Line For a midsize shopper, there's no reason not to take Sonata for a test drive. The new-and-improved 2015 is honestly one of the best vehicles in the class. Offering three engines and a variety of trims obviously makes the vehicle appear to a large cross-section of buyers. Hyundai's ace in the hole is integration of Car Play or Android Auto -- a class exclusive for now. These systems have the ability to be a game changer when it comes to in-vehicle entertainment and navigation. Prices are quite reasonable for the SE and even the Limited seems like a steal at $26,525.