At this point in time, we rely on our vehicles to be technology hubs as much as we rely on them to get us around. Incredible tech we could only dream about a few short years ago is now standard in a lot of vehicles. Some cars, like the Hyundai Sonata, stand a bit above the rest. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has won Kelley Blue Book’s 2020 Best Auto Tech Award for mainstream brands (there is also a luxury brands category). So what makes this midsize sedan such a technological marvel?

The Hyundai Sonata is ahead of it’s time

Kelley Blue Book has honored the all-new 2020 Sonata with its Best Auto Tech Award for a lot of good reasons. The eight-generation Sonata was completely redesigned, and that doesn’t just include the bold new design that almost gives it the look of a coupe.

The tech inside knocked their socks off, beginning with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sonata has a 10.25-inch touchscreen for navigation, phone integration, and audio, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. 

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata also won points for high-end safety tech. Driver-assist technology includes forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and even a driver attention monitor.

Highway drive assist keeps you centered in your lane, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist helps protect you from an accident, and a rear occupant alert reminds you to check the back seat after you park. 

Adding the tech package adds to all the standard technology features. The tech package includes a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, touchscreen navigation, Bose premium audio with 12 speakers, and highway drive assist. Other available features include wireless device charging, an auto-dimming mirror, and second-row USB ports. 

Class-exclusive tech features in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata

The 2020 Sonata has a few class-exclusive tech features that are pretty handy. All models except the base model have Hyundai Digital Key, which makes your Android smartphone double as your vehicle key. You can unlock and start your Sonata, give access to friends and family via their phones, and have no stress if you ever lose your keys. 

There’s also the Blind-Spot view monitor that’s an actual camera that displays a live feed of either side of your vehicle, depending on which turn signal is engaged. Forget blinking warning lights. In the 2020 Sonata, video from that side of the vehicle is beamed to the digital instrument cluster for safe lane changing. 

It’s got Smart Park

Cue the Boston accents — yes, it’s got Smart Park, which is just as amazing as it looks on TV. This impressive tech is standard on the Limited trim, and allows you to park without even being inside the car.

Remote Smart Parking Assist lets you use buttons on the key fob to drive the Sonata forward or in reverse, so you can pull into and get out of even the tightest spaces. A few expensive cars have this technology, but the 2020 Hyundai Sonata is the first to make it available in an affordable mainstream sedan. 

In addition to winning Kelley Blue Book’s 2020 Best Auto Tech Award, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata was also chosen as a 2020 Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, MotorWeek’s 2020 Driver’s Choice Award for Best Family Sedan, and Best Sedan of the Year by the Hispanic Motor Press.

On top of all these impressive tech features and the Kelley Blue Book’s 2020 Best Auto Tech Award, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata is in fact very affordable, with the value base model starting at $23,400. All these factors make it one to watch in the mid-size sedan category.