Sporting refreshed styling and a new interior, a larger infotainment screen and the availability of all-wheel drive, the Hyundai Sonata gets a significant refresh for 2024. Sonata is Hyundai's entry into the midsize sedan class. It's mechanically similar to the Kia K5 and competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry.
The model lineup is trimmed a bit this year to include the SEL, SEL Hybrid, N and Limited Hybrid. SEL comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Sonata N models get a turbocharged version of that 4-cylinder that makes 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission and drive. The N is offered only with front-wheel drive while the SEL is offered with either front- or, for the first time, all-wheel drive. Sonata Hybrids get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to offer a combined output of 192 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain utilizes a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission and drives the front wheels.
The SEL starts at $28,650 and the N starts at $36,100. The SEL Hybrid starts at $31,950 and the Limited Hybrid starts at $38,350. Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with brake assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and auto braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning and rear occupant warning. SEL and above get a curved instrument cluster that houses a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Other available features include wireless device charging, panoramic sunroof, LED lighting and Hyundai's Digital Key. In addition to the more powerful engine, N models add paddle shifters, dual exhaust, unique 19-inch wheels and uprated suspension and brakes.
The base engine provides uninspired acceleration, but a solid mix of affordability, performance and efficiency. Those wanting more power can opt for the Sonata N, but that brings all sorts of ride harshness and exhaust noise that might not be to everyone's liking. A great alternative is the Sonata Hybrid.
The hybrid powertrain provides the kind of smooth and effortless acceleration midsize sedan buyers expect and exceptional fuel efficiency. In addition, power transitions from electric to gas to electric and gas are unnoticeable. Simply step on the gas and go.
New this year is all-wheel drive. It's only offered on the SEL with the base engine, but it should satisfy buyers that want the added security that all-wheel drive can provide in inclement weather. It's not designed for off road use.
Sonata offers class-competitive EPA fuel economy ratings. The base engine with front-wheel drive is EPA rated at 25 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. Hybrid models get EPA ratings of 44/51 MPG. Sonata N models are rated at 23/32 MPG. All engines run fine on regular-grade gasoline. While Sonata Hybrid offers a crazy good 620 miles of highway range, even the base engine provides a bladder-busting 461 miles of highway cruising.
Over the road the Sonata rides as smoothly as any car in the class. The suspension does a great job of soaking up road imperfections and smoothing out expansion joints. It also reduces unwanted body motions. The exception to this rule being Sonata N. Its firm suspension is designed to deliver a significantly more athletic driving experience and this comes at the expense of ride comfort.
Unfortunately, SEL and Hybrid models suffer from numb and uncommunicative steering. While providing good highway tracking, there's little road feel and an artificial feeling at lower speeds. Thankfully, the brakes provide solid and drama free stopping power on all models.
N models aside, Sonata has an extremely quiet interior. There's very little engine and road noise and only a whisper of wind noise at extra-legal highway speeds. N models have a snarling exhaust and significantly more tire noise.
Key to Sonata's 2024 upgrades is an all-new instrument cluster and redesigned interior. The new interior definitely moves Sonata upscale and boasts a linear design that's dominated by an optional curved instrument/touchscreen cluster and wide center console. Hyundai has also moved the gear-shift level to the steering wheel column in an effort to provide more storage. Materials are a step ahead of the class normal and there's lots of aluminum touches that lend a luxury-car flair.
The front seats are softly cushioned and provide good long-haul comfort, but not a lot of support on twisty roads. Head and leg room are quite good up front. In the back seats, leg room is good, but head room only adequate due to the sedan's sloping roofline. Still, seat comfort is good and it's easy to get in and out thanks to wide door openings and a modest door sill. Outward visibility is better than expected as well.
From a technological standpoint, Sonata comes loaded with everything you might expect in the class. There's finally wireless support for Android Auto and Apple Car Play, a generous touchscreen interface on SEL and above, and a sound infotainment operating system that makes excellent use of voice commands. Hyundai also does a good job of offering traditional controls for the HVAC and audio systems.
Cargo capacity comes in at an impressive 16.3 cubic feet. That's better than just about anything in the class. Interior storage is great as well thanks to the column-mounted gear shift.
Bottom Line -- With its 2024 redesign, Sonata is gunning to trim the Accord and Camry class dominance. There's almost no area where Hyundai trails the class leaders other than in driving dynamics, where Sonata engineers clearly favored ride comfort over handling prowess. Prices, though up across the board, are still very competitive and Hyundai offers a great warranty. Though America is crossover crazy, vehicles like the Sonata make it hard to justify the extra price unless you need the cargo space.
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