Hyundai Sonata Gets Mid-Cycle Updates for 2024

Although sedan sales are slumping and competitors aren’t taking many styling risks, Hyundai has breathed some life into the segment with a futuristic new Sonata. We can already say it’s the most design-focused choice in its class, with the exterior drawing a closer connection to the automaker’s electric cars. Among the gas drivetrains, Hyundai has dropped the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that came in the SEL Plus trim, going just with the base 2.5-liter and the turbo 2.5-liter in the N Line. It’s good that Hyundai is making all-wheel drive available, giving buyers in the northern tier who felt forced into an SUV to get all-weather traction a sedan option. We’re eagerly anticipating driving the new models to see if the hybrid lives up to its predecessor’s superb mileage and if the new interior is as easy to live with as prior Hyundais we’ve tested.  

While the coupelike shape of the Sonata remains, Hyundai made some big changes to the front fascia. Gone is the frowning-catfish mouth; in its place is a far more angular look that includes a thin LED light bar that stretches nearly the width of the car. Below that are recessed headlights along with a wide grill and air intake for engine cooling. The look is quite futuristic, as if Hyundai’s designers were inspired by RoboCop’s helmet.

At the tail of the car are new lights that also stretch nearly across the bodywork. Shaped like an exaggerated letter H, the wide vertical bars on either side are joined by a thin, horizontal LED light bar that sits slightly below the top of the trunk.

The N Line performance version gets additional front and rear styling, including aerodynamic side skirts that stretch from wheel to wheel under the doors and a rear spoiler, along with unique 19-inch wheels and tires.

Bigger changes can be found once you duck your head and drop down into the Sonata’s cabin. What appears to be a single large, rectangular screen stretches across more than half of the cabin, starting by the left side of the steering wheel and ending at the passenger side of the center console. It comprises two 12.3-inch screens: one that’s for the instrument cluster, housing driver-related information, and the other—a touchscreen—for infotainment functions such as audio and navigation. We’ve seen the automaker use this approach on other recent vehicles, granting lower-cost models a modern, upscale appearance. We wouldn’t be surprised if lower trim levels get a less-flashy setup with smaller, individual screens.

Models equipped with the head-up display will have pertinent information displayed as a 12-inch projection on the windshield in front of the driver.

We’re happy to see that physical buttons and knobs seem to be used for climate and audio controls, including knobs for both volume AND tuning! Below the climate controls are ports for connecting mobile devices. Hyundai has announced that all Sonatas will be able to be equipped with wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The multifunction steering wheel appears to have three stalks popping out from the column. While one is to control turn-signal operation and the other one handles windshield-wiper duty, from what we can tell the third stalk is for the gear selector. So at least some versions of the Sonata won’t get the annoying console- or dash-mounted buttons that Hyundai has used for the gear selector in its various sedans and SUVs.

When the 2024 Hyundai Sonata goes on sale later this year, three different engines will be available. Base models will use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a battery and electric motor. The Hybrid gets paddle shifters and adjustable regenerative braking modes for the first time.

The sportier N Line version gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that, the automaker notes, was developed specifically for this car. 

There’s no word on which transmissions will be available with any of the engines.

Hyundai announced that all-wheel drive will be optional on Sonatas equipped with the base, 2.5-liter non-turbo engine. It now joins competing sedans from Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota—as well as the Kia K5, which traditionally uses the same platform as the Sonata—as offering all-wheel drive on at least some models.

All versions of the Sonata come with standard automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assist, which will steer, brake, and keep the car in the lane while traveling at highway speeds.

The car will also have exit assist to prevent passengers from opening the door into oncoming traffic or a cyclist; rear occupant alert, which notifies the driver if a child is left unattended in the car; and updates to the system that allows the driver to remotely control the vehicle to reverse into and pull out of tight parking spaces.