Next gen Hyundai Sonata which is expected to launch by 2019, has been spotted during its routine road-test. The test mule was under heavy camouflage and didn’t reveal a lot of details.
Moving into its eighth iteration, Sonata will feature a design, which will build-upon the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ theme displayed on Le Fil Rouge concept during 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The sedan is also expected to house a new version of Hyundai’s cascading grille.
2020 Sonata is expected to be loaded with gadgetry and shall include Highway Driving Assist (HDA) – a Level 2 autonomous driving system from Hyundai and a 12.3-inch digital display instrument cluster.
Engine options will mostly vary from market to market. However, the line-up shall include both naturally aspirated and turbocharged motors, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Hyundai might also take a bold step by introducing an all-electric variant, though there’s no news on the same as of now.
Back home, Hyundai had discontinued Sonata due to poor sales volumes, which had fallen to around 10 units per month. The market for premium sedans from mainstream brands hasn’t been too kind to OEMs in the recent past. They have been hit hard by increasing presence of luxury brands in the Indian market and an ongoing love for SUVs by Indian customers, making it almost economically nonviable to launch new products.
There is no word as of yet if Hyundai plans to launch the Sonata in the Indian market. If it does, the sedan will continue to compete with its old rivals, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and VW Passat.