Hyundai has many award-winning models in its lineup, like the Palisade and Santa Fe SUVs. The next-gen Hyundai Sonata is the latest car to be named the best: ALG just gave it an award for Best Redesign of the Year.

Aside from a slight refresh for 2018, the Hyundai Sonata hadn’t been redesigned since the 2015 model year. The engine options became more fuel-efficient and the interior became much more luxurious. According to ALG, the Sonata’s interior design for 2020 looks even better.

The redesigned Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata’s aggressive new stance reminded ALG of a luxury sports car instead of a regular sedan. The redesigned Sonata sits lower to the ground and now has more interior space to accommodate passengers and cargo. The all-new interior is made with upscale materials and gives drivers a perfect combination of style and functionality.

There are plenty of soft-touch materials in the cabin, including supportive armrests on the side of each door. Some plastic parts are painted in a glossy black hue, and the shiny metal trim throughout is also a nice touch.

ALG also appreciated all the technology upgrades included in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Using digital key technology, drivers can now start and unlock their Sonata with their smartphones. Fancier trims of the Sonata come with wireless charging, a bigger center touchscreen, and remote smart parking.

Great things about the Hyundai Sonata

The large interior is definitely one of the new Sonata’s most valuable strengths. It can sit up to five people and both rows offer plenty of space to stretch out. You can also stuff a lot of luggage in the deep trunk, just look out for the steep liftover height. The standard cloth seats are supportive enough, but the available suede, synthetic leather, and genuine leather seats feel more luxe. 

Visibility is good and the seats can be adjusted to make all drivers comfortable. Drivers can also enjoy standard smartphone integration and an excellent amount of safety features.

The Hyundai Sonata’s base engine is also very efficient, averaging 28 mpg in town and 38 mpg on highway roads. It’s a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy will dip if you opt for the more powerful engine, a 1.6-liter turbo-four that makes 180 hp. Both engines come with a smooth-operating eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also gets excellent mileage – 50 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the interstate. It’s a little more expensive than the regular Sonata, but you still get the same stylish interior. The base model starts at around $27,750, which isn’t that bad for a hybrid car.

The gas-powered Hyundai Sonata is a good value itself, retailing for around $24,600. Even the range-topping Limited model is cheaper than the highest trims of other midsize sedans. If you’re more interested in the turbo engine instead of fancier tech, the SEL Plus trim has it for only $27,400.

Does anyone regret buying a Hyundai Sonata?

While the Hyundai Sonata’s revamped interior is impressive, its overall performance is lacking. The base engine is so underpowered that upgrading to the turbo engine is practically a necessity. While this helps acceleration somewhat, it’s still slower than some of its rivals.

The turbo engine also doesn’t help to improve the Sonata’s handling. The suspension absorbs most bumps, but the steering wheel offers little feedback. Even though it’s not the sportiest, the Hyundai Sonata is still a good car for leisurely drives. If you’re on the hunt for a bargain-priced sedan with a near-luxury interior, the Sonata is a good fit.