2018 Sonata

Bamm1 · Mar 1, 2017

I like the redesign.

Mesh grill for the Sport model.
New 2.0T from the i30 N.
7-speed dual clutch transmission.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-previews-updated-2018-sonata-94804.html

Kia Stinger · Mar 1, 2017

Wow, that looks good. Very, very nice. I must admit I even like the new Camry. But if the 2018 Sonata looks anything like we're seeing in that picture - it's going to eat the Camry's lunch...

Bamm1 · Mar 1, 2017

Kia Stinger said:
Wow, that looks good. Very, very nice. I must admit I even like the new Camry. But if the 2018 Sonata looks anything like we're seeing in that picture - it's going to eat the Camry's lunch...

It does win the "appearance award" for the family sedan category. I also like the power increase for the engine. The 7-speed DCT has also been getting very good reviews. Mentioning it in the same breath as the DCT's from VW/Audi.

Larry Denen · Mar 1, 2017

I like the current Sonata a lot. Most people complained about the new generation looking tamer but I think it's much more classy. Now this new direction is pretty impressive. I wonder how close it'll actually be to the picture. Now I'm starting to wonder what the new Accord is going to look like. Everything is getting so aggressive looking. I think we might have Lexus to thank for that.

Brian Keenan · Mar 2, 2017

No way.

It's not going to look like that. That's just way too high above it's pay grade. That's a damn good looking grocery getter!

Bamm1 · Mar 3, 2017

Brian Keenan said:
No way. It's not going to look like that. That's just way too high above it's pay grade. That's a damn good looking grocery getter!

And here is the non-turbo model in the flesh:

Kia Stinger · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you. It does look good. The front-end looked "sharper" in the rendition and I liked that better. However, it may just be the angle that's making it look softer in this picture... In any event, I really like the front end, I really like the wheels, the sides are okay and I've yet to see the back. I imagine the turbo version will have quad exhaust tips like the outgoing style - which I really like. The Sonata has really grown into an attractive mid-size family sedan...

Bamm1 said:
And here is the non-turbo model in the flesh:

Bamm1 · Mar 3, 2017

Kia Stinger said:
Thank you. It does look good. The front-end looked "sharper" in the rendition and I liked that better. However, it may just be the angle that's making it look softer in this picture... In any event, I really like the front end, I really like the wheels, the sides are okay and I've yet to see the back. I imagine the turbo version will have quad exhaust tips like the outgoing style - which I really like. The Sonata has really grown into an attractive mid-size family sedan...

Low res photo from an odd angle. It is a good start but I will hold judgement until we see some more pics. I also would like to see the turbo version as I expect that to be another step up.

hej · Mar 4, 2017

I'm massively puzzled why Hyundai's mid-level sedan would get a DCT, and the Stinger would not

Jenny Wang · Mar 4, 2017

The new Sonata is looking pretty good but I like my Optima better. Now the DCT is something I know about. I had a Ford Focus before my Kia and I hated that transmission. It was jerky. Not smooth at all. I don't know if they all behave like that but I do know that Ford could never fix the problem permanently. Every time they reset the transmission computer it felt good for a couple of weeks but then went right back to jerking in and out of gear. I'm not a fan of that type of transmission.

Bamm1 · Mar 8, 2017

Pic of the Turbo:

Interior:

hej said:
I'm massively puzzled why Hyundai's mid-level sedan would get a DCT, and the Stinger would not

I found this assertion suspect as well. The current 7-speed (used in the current Eco version of the Sonata) is of the dry clutch variety and its torque limit is too low be used in higher power applications. The most recent information has the DCT being used on the 1.6T and lower engines offered in the '18 Sonata and the 2.0T coming with the in-house 8-speed seen in the Genesis G models.

Jenny Wang said:
The new Sonata is looking pretty good but I like my Optima better. Now the DCT is something I know about. I had a Ford Focus before my Kia and I hated that transmission. It was jerky. Not smooth at all. I don't know if they all behave like that but I do know that Ford could never fix the problem permanently. Every time they reset the transmission computer it felt good for a couple of weeks but then went right back to jerking in and out of gear. I'm not a fan of that type of transmission.

Ford's PowerShift is probably the single worst DCT ever made. All of the DCT's have the issues you mentioned to some extent. In turn, all of the companies that make one have taken extensive measures to smooth it out (ex. Honda's 8-speed DCT actually uses a torque converter). VAG's DCTs (DSG, S-tronic, PDK) and even Hyundai/Kia's DCT are SO much better that is should be considered blasphemy to mention them in the same sentence as Ford's PowerShift. Night and day difference.

ballistic · Mar 8, 2017

i know i'm probably going against the grain here but i friggin HATE the turbo version. i think the grille looks unbelievably lousy and the front end looks too bulbous. i don't like it.

the non-turbo version has a little horizontal led strip that i like at the left and right of the front fender. i think that makes a nice aesthetic difference. i much prefer the horizontal grille.

the rear end does look good, from what i can see. and the interior looks very classy. but definitely not the car for me. i'm not a kia fanboy but the optima kicks this thing's ass all over the place.

Jenny Wang · Mar 8, 2017

It figures the DCT transmission in my car was so bad and good in others! I do understand that it shifts faster than a regular transmission. It reminded me of an older car my brother had with a "shift kit" in it. He told me the DCT is not actually an automatic transmission. It's over my head but I guess I won't rule out a car in the future that has this type of transmission. I thought NEVER AGAIN but I'll give it another chance.

app_master · Mar 14, 2017

I'm not digging the new look. preferred the previous actually. sorry not for me.

Kia Stinger · Mar 14, 2017

app_master said:
I'm not digging the new look. preferred the previous actually. sorry not for me.
View attachment 58

You'd better be sorry!

No... It might grow on you. It's actually growing AWAY from me the more I see it. Like Ballistic, I really don't like the turbo version. The non-turbo looks better to me. I do prefer the current generation style as well. To me, it's the nicest Sonata design yet. This refresh (and it is a refresh) looks a little less sophisticated...

The previous design was appreciated more by many - especially the press. I wasn't a big fan but it was nice to see Hyundai do a four door coupe. I think Hyundai got wind of the fact that a lot of people didn't like the current design and decided to add more style to the car. But again, I prefer the stately looking current 2017 version...