Redesigned Hyundai Sonata in 2014

Ever since the current generation Hyundai Sonata launched in 2010, the car has emerged as one of the leading players in the mid-size sedan segment. Style and interior design as well as a competitive engine lineup have helped spur this development.

As always though, the competition never stands still. Surprisingly, American manufacturers are fielding the strongest efforts, with Ford is readying the new 2013 Fusion for a launch this year and Chevrolet the 2013 Malibu. Toyota ceded a lot of ground with the new Camry, giving competitors space by failing to push the envelope.

Purely on aesthetics and specifications, the Fusion looks like the cream of the new mid-size sedan crop – but we’ll have to find out once we get a chance to test them all. For Hyundai to stay on top, continuous improvement is needed. According to Chief Executive Officer Kim Choon-ho via Reuters, the next-generation model is coming in 2014. This shows that the company isn’t trying to extend successful product cycles, which is a good thing for consumers.

We expect the car’s styling to move away from the current swoopy, fluidic sculpture design language of the current car. The Sonata was one of the first products to debut this from Hyundai, and especially on cars like the Azera, it has become overwrought. Recent Hyundai concepts such as the i-oniq are showing a flatter, less involved design language.

That has carried over to the newest product debut as well, the Sante Fe SUV which has a styling language dubbed “Storm Edge.” Once again, the Sonata could lead the way for the next-generation of Hyundai styling. Expect the car to be shown sometime next year given Choon-ho’s timeline. Other than that, not many more details are known. Also in the article is news that the redesigned rear-wheel drive Genesis will debut in late 2013. We’re really looking forward to that.

Filed Under: Car News • Hyundai