The 2019 New York Auto Show was not a very exciting event this year, perhaps because it clashed with the Shanghai Auto Show. But out of the few positives from the show, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata managed to hog a lot of limelight. Hyundai has taken a big stride in terms of the design and technology of the Sonata, and the results are evident. There is nary a thing that goes wrong with this car. So, will Hyundai be able to tip over the rivals with this new sensation?
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2020 Hyundai Sonata
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Year:2020
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Make:
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Model:
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Transmission:Eight-speed automatic
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Horsepower @ RPM:191
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Torque @ RPM:181
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Displacement:2.5 L
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0-60 time:8.1 sec. (Est.)
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Top Speed:130 mph (Est.)
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Price:25000 (Est.)
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Price:
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car segment:
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size:
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Purpose:
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body style:
2020 Hyundai Sonata Exterior
- * New Design Philosophy
- * Hidden Lights in the Chrome Strips
- * LED Headlights
- * Civic-esque Taillights
- * More Planted Than The Outgoing Model
Hyundai has taken a rather aggressive approach in terms of aesthetics for the Sonata.
The South Korean automaker calls it the ’Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. The car looks much bolder and more beautiful than the outgoing generation. The 2020 Sonata bears a coupe-like design this time around. Hyundai engineers have taken inspiration from the Le Fil Rouge four-door-coupe concept shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Overall, the 2020 Sonata looks great and it doesn’t come as a surprise because Hyundai has enough experience in designing good looking sedans. Check out the underestimated Genesis range. Compared to the 2019 Sonata, this sedan has the charm, persona, and the charisma to make heads turn.
The front fascia looks as though it is trying hard to pout.
The nose seems to be diving low to the ground, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It extends all the way to the grille, which Hyundai calls the Digital Pulse Cascading Grille. The bumper wears air dams in a way that’s not only purposeful but also looks aesthetically pleasing. In fact, Hyundai has managed to sculpt the 2020 Sonata’s hood without giving it any harsh, untidy cut lines until the edge. What I like the most about the face is that the automaker has used chrome tastefully; enough to make it look premium, but not so much to make it gaudy and garish. Other automakers should learn a lesson or two from Hyundai in this department cough... Lexus... cough.
Now, let's talk about the most interesting aspect - the new, distinctive lighting architecture.
The swept-back design of the headlamp clusters are new and have chrome strips that naturally flow from the LED headlights to the length of the hood. When the car is switched off, these appear to be chrome strips. But once you fire up the engine, the chrome strips turn on along with the Daytime Running Lights in the headlamp cluster. It’s dubbed the Hidden Lighting Lamps and we have not seen anything like this on the roads before. Subtlety? Definitely not the Sonata’s suit.
The profile of the 2020 Sonata is embedded with cuts and creases all the way till the boot. Given that the side would look quite plain otherwise, these accents add a lot of character to the Sonata. A chrome line, starting from the wing mirror, flows right around the window sill and returns to the front by running down the length of the hood and ending at a sharp right angle beneath each headlight. The B- and C-pillars are blackened out to add to the sportiness of the 2020 Sonata.
The roofline slopes down till the very end, evoking the coupe silhouette that seems to be the latest trend in premium sedans.
Automakers are smitten by this idea these days to make the three-box cars look interesting before they finally succumb to SUVs and trucks. The bottom of the doors come with black side skirts, which further enhance the sporty profile of the car. The 2020 Sonata is a little more ’down to earth’ than the preceding model. This one-inch difference keeps the car planted at high speeds and reduces body roll at high speeds. The Sonata is offered with 16-, 17-, or 18-inch alloy wheels that look stunning when the car is stationary.
Step to the back and you will wonder if you’re standing behind a 2020 Sonata or a Honda Civic! Hyundai hit the sweet spot in terms of styling in the front and sides, but wonder why they adopted a design that’s similar to an iconic car. Taking a dig at the Japanese? I’m not sure how that will fare for the South Korean. Coming to the design, a wide horizontal LED strip extends across the center of the boot, stretching to the edges of the car and creating one long line of brake lights that looks striking at night. All-in-all, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata’s rear complements the company’s futuristic approach, and the advanced safety systems and tech-savvy cabin.
| Wheelbase | 111.8 |
|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 |
| Width | 73.2 |
| Height | 56.9 |
2020 Hyundai Sonata Interior
- * Slim HVAC Vents Look Sweet
- * 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- * 10.25-inch Touchscreen System
- * 12-speaker Bose Sound System
- * Supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- * Rear Headroom Is a Luxury
- * Phone Works As The Digital Key
As expected, the cabin also exudes luxury and quality.
The ’Beautiful Smart’ theme justifies its name and the interior echoes the exterior lighting in the form of ambient mood lighting featured across the dashboard and doors. The steering wheel, if observed closely, mimics the design of the 2020 Sonata’s face. The dashboard, otherwise, wears a slim design. What caught my attention here is not the fit and finesse, but the slim HVAC vents. We’ll know their capability once the car is tested in real-world conditions. The AC controls are tilted upwards and make things easier for the driver when on the move. Hyundai has also installed a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which is customizable to suit different driving modes and preferences. One critique in here would be the cabin space. While the front seems all comfy, it’s the rear that is the 2020 Sonata’s Achilles’ Heel. The coupe-like roofline slants sharply in the back, thus impacting the rear headroom to a large extent.
Coming to the infotainment system, Hyundai has not cut any corners here. A large, 10.25-inch touchscreen dominates the center console. The automaker has collaborated with Bose to create a premium sound system with 12 speakers. This is a big selling point for Hyundai because Bose majorly works with premium brands like Audi.
As for the touchscreen, it supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and also accommodates a split-screen function that allows audio and navigation to be displayed simultaneously.
Adding to the feature list is the Digital Key that allows the vehicle to be unlocked, started, and driven via a smartphone. There is no need for a physical key here. I am not sure whether the customers will like this setup because Tesla came up with the same technology for its cars last year, but due to safety concerns, the Musk-run company had to launch key fobs as an accessory for people who did not prefer the smartphone accessibility. It must be noted that the key fobs were sold like hot buns. Will we see the same happening with the 2020 Sonata?
As for the safety features, the 2020 Sonata is loaded with features like:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Advanced Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- Highway Driving Assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Safe Exit Assist
- Blind-Spot View Monitor and Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Surround-View Monitor
- Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
| Head room (front (w/sunroof)/ 2nd row (w/sunroof) | 40.0 (38.4) / 37.8 (37.4) |
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| Leg room (front / 2nd row) | 46.1 /34.8 |
| Shoulder room (front / 2nd row) | 57.9 / 56.1 |
| Hip room (front / 2nd row) | 54.6 / 54.4 |
| Cargo, trunk | 16.0 |
2020 Hyundai Sonata Drivetrain
- * 2.5-liter, Four-Cylinder Engine
- * 191 Horsepower
- * 181 Pound-feet of Torque
- * 1.6-liter, Turbocharged Mill
- * 180 Horsepower
- * 195 Pound-feet of Torque
- * Eight-speed Automatic Transmission
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is the first model to utilize Hyundai Motor’s third-generation vehicle platform.
The Sonata has managed to garner a lot of accolades for its exterior and interior features, but it comes with underwhelming engine options under the hood. A 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that churns out 191 ponies at 6,100 rpm and 181 pound-feet of twist at 4,000 rpm. The second option is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline mill that creams 180 horses at 5,500 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm.
While the engines are torquey enough for a car built on a lightweight platform, the Sonata is undoubtedly underpowered.
Even though there is a turbocharged engine on option, a 1.6-liter engine in such a premium car is a slap in the face. Enthusiasts who live by the ’no replacement for displacement’ rule will outright reject this puny engine without any remorse. Both the engines mate to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with power sent to the front wheels. Some rumors suggest that Hyundai is considering all-wheel drive options for the Sonata. Hyundai should have launched plug-in hybrid engine option right from the word go but it looks like it will take some time to arrive.
| ype | GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder | Turbo-GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminum block and head | Aluminum block and head |
| Bore & stroke (mm) | 88.5 x 101.5 | 75.6 X 89 |
| Compression ratio | 13.0 : 1 | 10.5 : 1 |
| Displacement | 2.5 liters / 2,497 | 1.6 liters / 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 191 @ 6100 rpm (est.) | 180 @ 5500 rpm (est.) |
| Torque (lb-ft.) | 181 @ 4000 rpm(est.) | 195 @ 1500-4500 rpm (est.) |
| Transmission | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
Pricing
There is no word on the pricing yet, but we except the 2020 Hyundai Sonata to be priced at a premium of at least $2,000 to $3,000 over the model it replaces. This means we are speculating a starting price of $25,000.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Competition
Honda Accord
The Accord has been one of Honda’s most consistent sellers over the last four decades. The car is currently in its 10th generation, and still features sharp, proportionate aesthetics and low-slung body that could give complex to the latest crop of sedans. There is no dearth of space on the inside and the seats are supremely comfortable as well. The Accord benefits from features like a seven-inch touchscreen display, rear camera, dual-zone climate control, etc. The car scores full marks for safety and every model comes with Honda Sensing safety suite as standard. The car comes with an array of engines that get the job done, but do not expect the Accord to be a driver’s car. The Honda Accord currently starts from $23,700.
| Engine | 1.5-liter four-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 192 hp |
| Torque | 192 lb-ft |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| 0-60 mph | 7.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 121 mph |
| MPG (Combined) | 33 mpg |
| Cargo Space | 16.7 cu-ft |
Read our full review on the 2018 Honda Accord.
Honda Civic
The second Honda that rivals the Sonata, the Civic, is arguably one of the best cars in the market today. The latest generation looks a little too overboard for everyone’s liking, but all of that is forgotten once you step inside the cabin. There is no space scarcity in the front, although the rear passengers will not feel the same. Honda has offered the car with features like seven-inch touchscreen system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, moonroof, heated front seats, etc. The Civic also delivers decent mileage and boasts excellent safety features. Although the low-displacement engines don’t carry the oomph factor on paper, they are quite thrilling when put to test. The CVT is the sole fly in the ointment, but it works well for sedate urban driving. Our pick, however, would be the six-speed manual gearbox! The Honda Civic comes with a starting sticker price of $19,500.
| Engine | 2.0-liter four-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 158 hp |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| 0-60 mph | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 125 mph |
| MPG (Combined) | 33 mpg |
| Cargo Space | 11.9 cu-ft |
Read our full review on the 2018 Honda Civic.
Kia Optima
The Optima is a fairly new kid on the block when compared to the competition and also happens to the Sonata’s cousin. We could not help but pit it against the 2020 Sonata. The car boasts a handsome face and clean rear and profile. It looks very proportionate from all the angles and is one of the smartest-looking cars on the market today. The cabin is roomy, seats are extremely comfortable, and there is plenty of space all around. The feature-list is the highlight of the Optima. Right from the base trim, the car is offered with a 7.0-inch touchscreen system, keyless ignition, climate control, and cruise control, to name a few. It is offered with an array of engines; six, to be specific. The base engine is not performance-oriented in any way and just about does the job. It comes with a starting price of $23,000.
| Engine | 2.4-liter four-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| 0-60 mph | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 152 mph |
| MPG (Combined) | 27 mpg |
| Cargo Space | 15.9 cu-ft |
Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Optima.
Final Thoughts
It's not easy for sedans to create such a strong impression at a time when SUVs and crossovers are taking over the world rapidly.
First the Venue, then roping in the former Ford RS chief engineer, and now the Sonata - Hyundai is on a roll right now and it just can’t go wrong. The 2020 Sonata has a lot of oomph factors and adds a lot of pizzazz as well, but all that disappears once you pop the hood. The real world results are yet to be ascertained, but on paper, Hyundai has certainly missed the bullseye. The missing plug-in hybrid engine is adding insult to injury. However, Hyundai will soon be coming up with a hybrid engine and the N-Line versions that could have the 2020 Sonata run on 275 horses. Once that engine and trim make its debut, the Sonata will be unstoppable.
Further Reading
The All-New 2020 Hyundai Sonata Has a Striking Face and Upmarket Interior
Would The Striking New 2020 Hyundai Sonata Look Better As A Two-Door Coupe?
Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.
he all-new Sonata embodies Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language with a sophisticated four-door-coupe look
Hyundai’s third-generation vehicle platform enables improvements in design, safety, efficiency and driving performance
Hyundai First: Sonata’s Digital Key allows the vehicle to be unlocked, started and driven without a physical key, via a smartphone
Hyundai First: Hidden Lighting Lamps turn chrome when off and lit when on
NEW YORK, April 17, 2019 – Hyundai today introduced its all-new 2020 Sonata at the New York International Auto Show, marking the North American debut of Hyundai’s longest-standing and most successful model. The eighth-generation Sonata is unlike any of its predecessors, showcasing Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy, an all-new Smartstream G2.5 GDI engine and segment-first technology that can be personalized. Production of the 2020 Sonata starts in September at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and retail sales begin in October.
“Sonata is our signature product,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, product, corporate and digital planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Having been one of our first and most successful nameplates, Sonata is our legacy, and it needs to be special and memorable in all attributes. Sonata signifies our vision for future Hyundai designs, great active safety systems and cutting-edge technology that is effortless.”
The new-generation Sonata is the first sedan designed with Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language. It is a fully transformed vehicle showcasing a sporty four-door-coupe look. The 2020 Sonata represents Hyundai’s new focus on creating emotional value using proportion, styling and technology. From the front, the 2020 Sonata is unlike any other Hyundai. The design is all-new, with cues that don’t immediately appear Hyundai-like and thus encourage customers to take a second look. The 2020 Sonata embodies the evolution of a new Hyundai design theme—a portfolio of vehicles that, like chess pieces on a board, look and behave differently, each with a clear role and function, but together exemplify a cohesive team.
Sonata has a distinct tension on the side, using a harmonious blend of two sharp character lines and pure volumes. Concave and convex forms are also carefully orchestrated to provide a sexy, coupe-like character.
The latest Sonata is the first model to be based on Hyundai’s new, innovative vehicle platform, which delivers increased strength and reduced weight to enable improvements in design, safety, efficiency and driving performance. The car uses an extensive application of advanced technologies to boost comfort, convenience and active safety. It is also the first model to premiere a new collaboration with Bose® to deliver an exceptional audio experience to customers.
“The Sonata holds a special significance for our company as one of the longest-standing and most successful models in the global market,” said Albert Biermann, president and head of R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Group. “The new-generation Sonata is a fully transformed vehicle packed with advanced personalization technology, a new platform and an array of ADAS technologies. We are confident that our customers will be pleasantly surprised by this innovative new model.”
Exterior Design: Sensuous Sportiness Defined in a Four-Door-Coupe Silhouette
Inspired by the dramatic Le Fil Rouge four-door-coupe concept shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the new-generation Sonata has an emotional, sporty four-door coupe look with a spacious and technology-packed interior. The exterior exhibits performance-led proportions that reference the car’s step up in sportiness over that of its predecessor.
“The new-generation Sonata boasts a beautiful, sporty and innovative four-door coupe silhouette,” said SangYup Lee, senior vice president and head of Hyundai Design Center. “We are confident that Sonata will prove to be a yet another successful step for our new design language, Sensuous Sportiness and will provide emotional value for the customers.”
A newly designed Digital Pulse Cascading Grille spans the front of the new Sonata, finishing at the innermost points of new combination headlamps that feature a distinctive and innovative new lighting architecture.
A chrome line flows from the wing mirror, right around the side passenger windows, and returns to the front of the car by running down the length of the hood and ending at a sharp right angle beneath each headlight. This chrome strip features graduated LED Daytime Running Lights embedded with Hidden Lighting Lamps.
A first for a Hyundai vehicle, Hidden Lighting Lamps are a design innovation that incorporates state-of-the-art lighting technology, forming the Sonata’s light architecture. The Hidden Lighting Lamps appear to be chrome when switched off and become dramatically lit when turned on.
The light architecture was initially revealed through Hyundai’s HDC-1 concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018. It was created by fleshing out the form of the lamp and transforming it into a powerful design element. Along with the Sensuous Sportiness concept, the light architecture defines the design identity of future Hyundai cars.
The side sections of the Sonata are accentuated by the light architecture, which connects two chrome lines that seamlessly link the windows and daytime running lights. Through these two character lines, the Sonata effuses a flowing and refined charm.
From the side, sleek forms combine with sensual lines to accentuate the car’s sportiness and clear coupe-like silhouette. Eye-catching sporty details include a trunk spoiler and black side skirts along the lower flanks. The car’s overall height has been lowered an inch to enhance the sporty profile even further. The new model is available with a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, each with a design that suggests forward motion even when stationary.
At the rear, a wide horizontal line extends across the center of the trunk, stretching to the edges of the car. This line is actually a long LED strip that connects each brake light, creating a striking visual impression at night. The high-tech appearance of the rear is intentionally suggestive of the Sonata’s advanced safety systems and technology-packed interior.
The Sonata’s coefficient of drag (Cd) is just 0.27, with a flat underfloor covering and a range of body enhancements—including small fins across each taillight—that help keep the car fuel efficient, as well as stable.
Interior: “Beautifully Smart” Technology and Design
The cabin conforms to a “Beautifully Smart” theme, aligned with the expectations of Sonata customers seeking advanced technologies applied naturally and intuitively. The signature aesthetic of the exterior lighting is echoed inside in the form of ambient mood lighting featured across the dashboard and doors.
Spanning the full width of the cabin, the slim dashboard features a first-in-class, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is customizable to suit different driving modes and preferences. At the center of the dashboard, a large, 10.25-inch HD screen enables occupants to interact easily with the audio-video and navigation (AVN) functions. This screen can also accommodate a split-screen function that allows audio and navigation to be displayed simultaneously. All Sonata models, except the entry model, include three years of complimentary Blue Link services.
The instrument panel is rich and modern, in the shape of spread wings, inspired by a stealth aircraft. This shape presents a levitating effect, and this philosophy carries into the long armrests. The satin chrome accents enhance this effect even further. Designers compressed the height of the dashboard and HVAC vents as much as possible to emphasize the lightweight feeling, while modern, light fabric colors and leathers provide a fresh and unconstrained ambience for the driver.
At the heart of the AVN system is an exceptional sound system, the first result of a new collaboration between Hyundai and Bose engineers. The Bose Premium sound system is equipped with 12 speakers that synchronize to deliver crisp and rich sounds for a high-quality audio experience. Audio and EQ adjustments are made automatically, depending on the vehicle’s speed, while Bose Centerpoint surround technology and Bose SurroundStage signal processing put every occupant at the center of the audio experience, regardless of where they are positioned in the cabin.
Maximizing the sense of a spacious interior was a key focus for Hyundai’s designers and engineers. Alongside visual devices that create an impression of greater room, the new Sonata features an optional panoramic sunroof that amplifies the light and airy ambience.
Wherever possible, Hyundai took the opportunity to combine a technological development with visual or space benefit. The new Shift by Wire (SBW) gear selector is a prime example, as the new interface not only is sleek and technologically advanced but also takes up significantly less space than a traditional gear selector.
Safety
The new Sonata maximizes occupant safety through a range of active and passive safety technologies. Passengers benefit from a comprehensive nine-airbag set-up, while a sophisticated Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) works to alert drivers to things they might miss while driving.
Performance and Chassis
The all-new Sonata is the first model to utilize Hyundai Motor’s third-generation vehicle platform. Offering significant flexibility for vehicle development across multiple segments, the platform enables dramatic innovations in design, alongside improvements in safety, efficiency and driving performance.
The platform delivers an improvement in collision safety through the use of a multiload path structure, Hot Stamping, and super-high-tensile steel plate. The sophisticated multiload path structure increases the energy that the vehicle absorbs in collisions.
Smartstream Powertrains
Customers can choose between two Smartstream gasoline powertrains: a 2.5 GDI and a 1.6 T-GDI engine, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new Smartstream G2.5 GDI engine, with high-efficiency combustion, cooled EGR and an optimized ITMS cooling system, boasts a generous 191 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, plus an expected combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg. Meanwhile, the new Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI has 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500–4,500 rpm and is expected to achieve an EPA estimated 31 mpg combined, thanks to its world-first Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) system.
2020 2.5-liter
2019 2.4-liter
Horsepower
191 hp. (estimated)
185 hp.
Torque
181 lb.-ft. (estimated)
178 lb.-ft.
Fuel Economy
EPA estimated 33 combined (preliminary estimate)
EPA estimated 29 combined
Driving Dynamics
The driving performance goal for the 2020 Sonata was to create a sense of unity between the car and the driver. Combining the new platform and modern engines allows the car to respond quickly to the driver’s inputs and provide a quiet, solid ride on the highway. The driving dynamics match the sporty exterior design, and the steering and handling package is also improved, so the 2020 Sonata is more nimble than its predecessor.
Enhanced Front Suspension Geometry for Improved Responsiveness
Reduced bump steer
Improved roll steer linearity
Reinforced front/rear subframe rigidity
Enhanced Rear Suspension Geometry for Enhanced Stability and Responsiveness
Increased bump/roll steer
Lowered rear roll center
Added reinforcement bracket for rear cross member
Optimized trailing arm shape/thickness
Braking responsiveness is also enhanced on the 2020 Sonata, thanks to a larger booster and increased delivery rate.
Convenience Technology
The 2020 Sonata features a number of advanced comfort and convenience features typically found only in luxury cars, including a sunroof, electric parking brake, smart trunk, Qi high-speed wireless smartphone charging pad with cooling fan, standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®, Text-to-Speech via Bluetooth®, heated and ventilated front seats and split-folding rear seats.
The top-of-the-line audio and navigation display is a wide, high-definition, customizable, 10.25-inch touchscreen monitor with split screens and natural language, and cloud-based speech recognition powered by Blue Link, while the cluster supervision display is a full 12.3 inches. The cluster has four views: utility, driver assistance, navigation and parking assistance. The navigation system includes a bird’s-eye view in Navigation maps, and drivers get HERE HD Traffic flow and incident data without ever paying for a subscription. Dual Bluetooth support is also available, so two devices can be paired at the same time—one for phone calls and one for streaming audio. The navigation system also comes with three years of Blue Link Multimedia/Map updates. Hyundai’s eight-inch display audio user interface, equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is standard on the 2020 Sonata. The Blue Link connected car system is also available.
Digital Key
Continuing to promote the latest advances in technology, the new Sonata supports Hyundai Digital Key via a dedicated smartphone app. Hyundai Digital Key utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which exhibits a high level of security. The NFC wireless data communication takes place only when the device and the reader are within several centimeters of each other. The Hyundai Digital Key app also allows smartphones to control selected vehicle systems remotely. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, users can lock and unlock the vehicle, activate the panic alert and start the engine.
Not only does Hyundai Digital Key allow owners to leave traditional keys at home, it also allows secure sharing of keys with family and friends. The level of access to different vehicle functions can be tailored to each shared key user for a defined period. The vehicle owner can preset the duration of vehicle use or limit the use to only certain features when loaning the vehicle, and, of course, keys can be revoked remotely. For additional convenience in cases such as using a valet service or visiting a Hyundai dealer, Hyundai Digital Key also works with an NFC card, which will be provided with each vehicle. Each Sonata still comes with traditional keys. Digital Key is compatible only with phones using the Android operating system.
Digital Key | 2020 Sonata | Hyundai - Click here for video
Full Head-Up Display
With a projected image size of eight inches and super-bright clarity (luminance of more than 10,000 candelas per square meter), the Sonata’s HUD provides improved visibility in different lighting conditions. The HUD can be adjusted in both angle and height to provide optimum visibility. The HUD supports driving safety by displaying information such as speed and navigation commands, as well as alerts from active safety and driving assistance features.
Blue Link Enhancements
The connected car team at Hyundai continues to improve Blue Link’s services, and the 2020 Sonata gets many system enhancements. As with most Hyundai models, Blue Link is complimentary on the 2020 Sonata for three years and includes Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Destination Search by Voice. These 2020 improvements include:
Remote profile management—stores select vehicle settings to the Blue Link cloud, with the ability to remotely update them and push them back to the vehicle
Remote start enhancements:
Remote seat heat/vent (full support on/off for each individual heated/cooled seat; ability to adjust level)
Profile selection (preloads individual driver settings for seating position and side mirrors)
Vehicle Status Notifications—if the vehicle is left with doors unlocked or windows open, customers will receive a notification
POI Send to Car now with Waypoints (ability to add up to three way points, to be delivered to the vehicle together and automatically set order of destinations)
Maintenance Alert Enhancement—maintenance interval tracking is now visible in the multimedia system, with ability to reset
More details on specific Blue Link–equipped vehicles available at www.hyundaibluelink.com.
Driver Assistance Technologies
Sonata features Hyundai’s latest SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). A series of sensors and systems, often restricted to luxury cars, combines to potentially warn the driver and may take action in the event of a safety incident. Meanwhile, other ADAS systems can help the driver perform certain tasks using the car’s three radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors and five cameras. These features include:
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (standard)
Lane Keeping Assist (standard)
Advanced Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (standard)
Highway Driving Assist (optional)
Highway Driving Assist
Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is a driving convenience system that assists drivers in maintaining the center of the lane, at an appropriate speed, while keeping a safe distance to the car in front.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
The 2019 Sonata is fitted with standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection, an advanced active safety feature that helps alert drivers to emergency situations, and may brake autonomously, if required. Using front radar and front camera sensors, FCA operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it assesses the nature of the collision danger and can apply increasing amounts of braking force to avoid a collision or minimize damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system is activated when a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist is sensed in front of the car.
Lane Following Assist
Lane Following Assist (LFA) may automatically adjust steering to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane of travel. LFA can keep the vehicle centered on both highways and city streets.
Safe Exit Assist
Safe Exit Assist helps prevent accidents should a door be opened when another vehicle is approaching from behind. Using the radar, the system may detect approaching vehicles and warn the driver when a door is opened.
Blind-Spot View Monitor and Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
The Blind-Spot View Monitor with the Sonata’s outside mirror-mounted cameras offers the driver an enhanced field of vision. The Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) system scans for vehicles entering your blind spot. If the driver activates a turn signal, an image of the view from the corresponding wing mirror is displayed in the 12.3-inch cluster display. If a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, audible and visual alerts are provided.
Surround-View Monitor
The new Sonata uses four cameras to provide the driver with an enhanced, bird’s-eye view of the car’s exterior, giving the driver confidence when maneuvering into or out of spaces.
Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist helps detect pedestrians and obstacles with a rearview camera and ultrasonic sensors. The system can provide warnings and apply emergency braking to assist in the avoidance of a collision.
Remote Smart Parking AssistIn a first for its class, the new Sonata offers Remote Smart Parking Assist to help maneuver the car into or out of parking spaces, boosting convenience for customers. Before a driver attempts to load load passengers or luggage, the remote parking function can prove particularly useful, bringing the vehicle out of a tight space. The driver simply uses the smart key to drive the car forward or backward, into or out of a parking space.
Touch Sensor Outside Door Handles
Touch Sensor Outside Door Handles have been added to the 2020 Sonata to increase ease of use and further refine the design. To lock the door, the driver need only touch the sensor on the outside of the door handle. Pulling on the handle activates a larger sensor on the inside of the handle to open the door.
Remote Start
Remote Start has been a part of the Hyundai Blue Link system for years. It works by using a cellular data connection to warm up or cool down a Sonata when it is out of sight of the owner. To make that system even better, Hyundai engineers added Remote Start to the 2020 Sonata’s key fob on models equipped with Proximity Key and Push Button Start. This allows a remote start to be performed when the car is within the owner’s line of sight.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, with the majority sold in the U.S. built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
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