No, the Hyundai Sonata 2018 is not a sports car

Frédéric Mercier

Monday, 17 July 2017 18:18

UPDATE
Monday, 17 July 2017 18:18

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It moves in the midsize sedan segment!

Even if the sales are cannibalizing those of the SEEN for a long time, car manufacturers continue to demonstrate great interest. To proof, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are both renewed from A to Z for 2018.

At Hyundai, it is of course not to leave the field free to the competition. Failing to deliver a new generation of the Sonata, the Korean manufacturer ensures stay in the game with a version brilliantly renewed its intermediate model.

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

The attitude in extra

Historically considered cars boring and without a soul, the midsize sedan has changed dramatically in recent years. Their design is more dynamic than ever before and gives the impression to its drivers to take a place aboard a true sports car.

The Hyundai Sonata is the most recent example. It has radically changed its front and its rear end, where you can now read the name of the vehicle for miles round.

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Obviously, we wanted to give it a style more energetic, younger. We want to get rid of this reputation as old-fashioned and sticks to the skin of the big sedan, and it seems a good start.

However, it is noteworthy that the models of hybrid and plug-in hybrid are not the object of this recasting aesthetic. These will continue to be offered in 2018, but they will remain identical to the models of 2017.

Apart from the hybrid, Hyundai continues to offer the choice between two engines. The first, a block four-cylinder, 2.4-litre, is still quite shy with 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

The second, a 2.0-litre engine, offers performance-inspired through the use of a turbocharger. With 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet, we begin to chat. And for 2018, the turbo version is paired for the very first time to a new automatic transmission in eight reports.

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

A driving unchanged

The arrival of this new gearbox at first made me batting an eyelid. After all, several transmissions, offering a high number of the reports are often far too slow to respond. It is good for fuel economy, but for the emotion at the wheel, we revert.

Then, a road test of the vehicle has dispelled my apprehensions. Never faltering, the transmission did its job flawlessly, both in normal mode as in alternative Sports, where she lets revolutionize the engine more quickly to get the best performance.

However, it is not necessary to tell nonsense. The Sonata, even in its turbo version, has nothing of a sports car. It is a mid-sized car whose weight and size do not inspire anything special. It will be a wonderful boost as one might wish, it remains that the Sonata stands out more space for the legs and the size of its trunk that of its performance.

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

The problem is that people are looking for more space are now massively towards the SUV, leaving the niche market of mid-size sedan just about vacant. We want to revitalize the market with models that are more inspirational, but it is necessary to call a cat a cat.

I therefore repeat, just to be sure. The Sonata, even in its turbo version, has nothing of a sports car. Its steering is too little communicative and his weight well over 1500 pounds don’t lie.

However, if it is a mid-sized car that you are looking for, the Sonata has everything to make you happy. The quality is there, and the price also. It has not yet announced the MSRP for 2018, or the consumption of gasoline. Price wise, we can expect a slight increase compared to the 24 799$ that is needed for 2017, but nothing major.

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Issue price/quality ratio, hard to find better elsewhere. Especially with a base warranty of 5 years/100 000 kilometres.

The imminent arrival of the Camry and the Agreement 2018, however, could change that quite quickly. Honda and Toyota remain the two leaders in this category for decades, and their new cars 2018 were what we put the mouth water.

For a category also a little popular the past few years, the competition is fierce!

Hyundai Sonata 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Technical data sheet

Name: Hyundai Sonata 2018
Base price: Still unknown
Configuration : the Vehicle front-wheel drive with engine at the front
Basic mechanical: Engine four-cylinder aspirated 2.4-litre
Transmission: Automatic six-speed
Power/torque: 185 hp/ 178 lb-ft
Engine optional: Engine four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged
Power/torque: 245 hp/ 260 lb-ft
Transmission : eight-speed Automatic
Fuel consumption announced: Still unknown
Warranty basic : 5 years/100 000 km
Competition: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu