The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Is a Budget-Friendly Genesis G70
For all of its great points – and there are many – the current generation Hyundai Sonata isn’t much to look at. Actually, the problem might be that there is too much to look at. However, Hyundai surprised us all on Monday when it dropped the 2024 Hyundai Sonata and wow, does it look good.
Say goodbye to the catfish-faced Sonata look
It’s hard to love the current Sonata design, so the updated model is a welcome refresh. With a full-width LED strip across the nose, the 2024 Sonata takes a much different approach than its predecessor.
With a look that’s a little bit Lucid, and a little bit Elantra N, the updated Hyundai Sonata should command attention when it arrives later this year. It wouldn’t be surprising to see buyers flock to this model when it arrives. For those looking at used cars, you’ll likely be in luck – we expect to see used Sonatas littering Hyundai dealerships everywhere by year’s end.
Around back, connections from the 2024 Hyundai Sonata to the current model are more clear. The sweeping trunk lid and its associated angles remain, though the odd staple-shaped taillights are, thankfully, gone. Instead, a single light bar stretches across the trunk, notched at both ends for more prominence. Beneath sits a honeycomb panel that houses the hazard lights. It’s also a convenient place to put the rear radar sensors that power the reverse automatic braking system.
A major interior update is included
While objectively, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata had an excellent cabin, the Korean brand has upped the ante with its newest iteration. Premium materials like Nappa leather remain, but the overall design feels more like a luxury car than a budget-friendly sedan.
Light wood grain separates the upper dash from the lower, and the air vents are now integrated into a continuous panel. That bit of cohesive design traces back to the now-defunct Volkswagen Arteon, and it’s nice to see it utilized by other brands if for no other reason than it’s pleasing to the eye.
Perhaps the biggest interior update regards the pair of displays ahead of the driver’s seat. A dual-panel curved display replaces the two screens of the ‘23 model. It’s a simple change on paper, but one that greatly enhances the upscale feel of the new Sonata. That this car runs just over $25,000 is remarkable considering how great it looks. Clearly, some of that Genesis genius is seeping back into the luxury brand’s parent company.
No powertrain changes expected in the 2024 Hyundai Sonata
For all the design and tech changes, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata is really only a mid-cycle refresh. According to Car and Driver, the platform and powertrain options aren’t expected to change compared to the current cars. We have no problem with that.
The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder offers 32 mpg combined and 191 horsepower, more than enough for a midsize sedan in this bracket. The torque-heavy 1.6-liter turbo is a great alternative as well, delivering 195 lb-ft of torque and 37 mpg highway. And with a combined 209 horsepower and up to 54 mpg highway, the Sonata Hybrid powertrain doesn’t need much revision either.
How the 2024 Sonata compares to the Genesis G70
Under the hood, the Genesis G70 has a clear advantage over the Hyundai Sonata. Inside though, the two cars boast nearly the same levels of luxury. Heated and ventilated seats, dual digital displays, and available premium leather upholstery put the Sonata on the heels of its luxurious cousin.
