Holy crap! I want a Sonata now!

[Soca Boy]

Not a fan..to put it politely. Same with the new Elantra sedan. Bit of a fan of the I30(Elantra) Fastback but 'Muricans don't get the good cars because we're too busy buying lifted boxes and lifted blobs.

Same story in Canada

 

[Waynerm002]

I'm not sure what is going on i Korea but for the last few years Hyundai/KIA has been focusing their launches on smaller, efficient engines, in their mainstream cars for their home market. The Optima's most powerful, sporty engine there is the 1.6T, they made that car look more luxurious with the options, interior and tech but took away the 2.0T. Is sedan sales in Korea a lot less than CUV/SUV?

I know Hyundai has the N-Line cars and supposedly the Sonata will get a N-Line version as well however, will they wait to introduce the new 2.5T in the G80 first then launch it in the Sonata and othe KIA vehicles? What's the word on this in Korea?

 

[xot1]

Is sedan sales in Korea a lot less than CUV/SUV?

Yes

 

[Waynerm002]

Interesting. I saw in one of the launch videos that Hyundai expect the Sonata to restart and lead the sedan market.

 

[Crisis]

I traded in my 2015 Sonata when I bought my Stinger.

The Sonata had a surprisingly roomy rear seat, was nicely finished inside and delivered really good fuel economy. My Sonata was as fully loaded as you could get (plus it was orange!), so there wasn't a huge upgrade in the tech to the Stinger. But there was a huge upgrade in power and traction, going to an AWD car. Plus the styling on the Stinger is striking, whereas the Sonata blended in with many other mid-size family sedans. The new one is more stylish, but still no match for the Stinger.

I have no regrets whatsoever moving from a Sonata to a Stinger - especially every time I put my right foot down.

 

[Waynerm002]

I kept my 2017 Optima hybrid, which is on lowered springs, to make it handle better. That car is a fun ride with its sport mode, not as much power as the Stinger GT2 but she ca carve corners just as well. As someone that used to sell Hyundais and wanted a Sonata, I tended to like the way the KIA drove and feel and each time I think I would switch, I end up right back at KIA. Now if they come up with a performance hybrid, like how BMW has their ActiveHybrid vehicles, I might be tempted to go over. I know they should have a N-Line version coming out on this platform, so we will see how things end up later.

 

[Schpok]

I'm on the fence with this one. I like the side line and the front light design. but the bottom Chrome on the front bumper really throwes me off. it's way to high placed imo. rear would look way better if there are exhaust pipes + the reflectors look odd.

basicly give me new bumpers and im happy haha

only question left, does it come to europe??

 

[nhcowboy28]

Looks like the love child of a polestar and Ford Fusion.

I’m sure it’s a great car... but as mentioned before/above... I’ll consider a different car if a performance hybrid/pure ev from Kia comes out that looks sexy.

 

[YEH]

I'm not sure what is going on i Korea but for the last few years Hyundai/KIA has been focusing their launches on smaller, efficient engines, in their mainstream cars for their home market. The Optima's most powerful, sporty engine there is the 1.6T, they made that car look more luxurious with the options, interior and tech but took away the 2.0T. Is sedan sales in Korea a lot less than CUV/SUV?

Sedans still make up the bulk of auto sales in Korea, but just recently, crossovers have really started to gain traction (now up to around 40% of sales).

Both the Santa Fe and Palisade are in the top 5 for sales (#1 is still the Grandeur, aka as the Azera - the latest model which we didn't get).

I know Hyundai has the N-Line cars and supposedly the Sonata will get a N-Line version as well however, will they wait to introduce the new 2.5T in the G80 first then launch it in the Sonata and othe KIA vehicles? What's the word on this in Korea?

The G80 will be the first model to get the 2.5T.

only question left, does it come to europe??

Supposed to replace the i40 in Europe, altho the UK may not get it.

Hyundai is contemplating AWD for the Sonata; if they go w/ a full-bore Sonata-N and not an N-line, then definitely should have AWD.

 

[Waynerm002]

Seems they might bring that 2.5T to the US along with AWD. We won’t know for sure until the NY to show and their announcement. Now an N version with a 300 hp version of than engine would be sweet!