Driving Impressions: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

This is one tough segment. It's easy to classify – virtually all the midsized sedans ride on a 111 inch wheelbase. Ford and GM have all but abdicated and Toyota Camry continues to dominate with predictable annual US sales in the mid 300,000 range with Honda Accord sales typically trailing by 50-60,000 units. At the time of its 2014 makeover, Hyundai could boast a string of annual Sonata sales numbers topping 200,000. Last year sales were down 60% from those highs.

Enter the gen-8 Sonata with sophisticated tech and rich and detailed styling or as the manufacturer proclaims: 'The sedan is new again'.

Driving Impressions tested the top of the line Limited. The Sonata presented well especially in Quartz White. The contrasting front spoiler, ground effects panels on the sides and rear diffuser seemed like they belonged. The gloss black honeycomb grille is an enhancement (and adorns all Sonatas except the base SE). It's bordered by a pair of black intake grills and body colored functional front fender vents. The usual upper swage line is multi-dimensional extending the silhouette of the rear lights narrowing it across the rear door and then widening again as it dissipates just above the front wheel well.

The lighting package is unique. A continuous bar across the hatch extends vertically, rises horizontally and turns inward as it integrates with the spoiler. Six bullet-like elevations adorn the top of each taillight. Chrome strips atop each front fender draw attention to a lower profile hood line. Hidden within are nearly two-foot long LED strips which fade as they ascend the fenders. They invite a second look. Even the door handles are distinctive with chrome adorning the top and body color on the sides.

The Limited is luxury car rich in features including heated and cooled seats, a wireless cell phone charger with extra cooling to allow high (ten) wattage quick boost, surround view camera which stays engaged in forward view til the Sonata reaches 8 miles an hour, adjustable heads-up display, seat memory, an uncompromised Bose stereo, 12.3 inch instrument display, 10.25 touchscreen, customizable drive modes, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and unique parking assist which can be activated from outside the car. A cell phone app (Digital Key) uses NFC (near field communication) to control the locks and start the car without the use of the standard fob.

A little bit of luxury and a little bit of sport: I was pleased with the car's handling. The Sonata delivers a comfortable ride. Only the harshest bumps seemed to jar the occupants though they did not upset balance. (Some of the ride characteristics might be attributable to the low profile Michelin Primacy A/S's.)

The Sonata was solid in the corners and the precise steering even 'more so' in Sport Mode. The Limited is powered by a 180 HP 1.6-liter turbo four cylinder with patented CVVD – continuously variable valve duration. Certainly allowing the intake and exhaust opening to vary with rpm can optimize performance and economy and ecology but can it do all three simultaneously? Turbo-typical, the Sonata stumbles a bit off the line at full throttle; the Ipad recorded 0-60 times in the high sevens. Once underway, acceleration was brisk as were the shifts of the eight-speed automatic allowing the Sonata the power to pass and merge without hesitation.

The interior is uncluttered and up to date and allows four and occasionally five to travel comfortably with another easily accessed 16.0 cubic feet of storage.

Four levels of Sonata trim are offered. The base SE lists at $24,530; it features standard adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and forward brake assist. A better choice might be the SEL which for $2100 more has a higher horsepower, lower torque (than the turbo) powerplant and a host of additional features including keyless start, dual zone A/C, heated and powered front seats and all-important blind spot monitoring.

In it's top or Limited trim, the Sonata compares favorably with most (?all) luxury entries. A big (10.25) infotainment monitor, a very cool Blind View Monitor which projects a real time image in the ipsilateral guage bezel when the turn signal is activated, and surround view monitoring (enabled by camera, radar and sonar) represent the standards of the future. It checks the boxes of a economy (ave. 31 mpg on regular), warranty- 5yr /60,000 bumper to bumper and price - $34,320 list. Driving Impressions recommends it.

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Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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