2018 Hyundai Sonata

2018 Hyundai Sonata
2018 Hyundai Sonata. (Courtesy of Hyundai)
8/13/2017
Updated:
8/13/2017

The new 2018 Hyundai Sonata, a midsize sedan, has an updated interior and outside profile. The revised design rides on a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

On the outside, the new cascading front grille is flanked by LED headlights and lower ports. Stylish lines emanate from the grille and extend over the roof and larger trunk lid, all the way to the rear tail lights. This sheetmetal work is anchored by four newly designed wheels.



The 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline-four (28 mpg city/highway combined) is still the default engine, but a 245-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-four and a 178-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo-four are available as well.

My test model was the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited trim.

The 2018 Sonata features a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system has extended its remote access to Amazon Echo through Alexa skill, allowing you to perform certain control functions from your home or wherever an Amazon device is located.

In the mobile age, it’s important to keep phones and tablets charged. The available Qi wireless charging pad eliminates the hassle of plugging and unplugging. There’s also a second-row USB charging port for the back-seat occupants.

The interior of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited is all about the leather. The three-spoke leather steering wheel and leather seat surfaces prop up the occupant’s feelings for luxury. The new center-stack, front-seat memory system and power-adjustable side mirrors enhance comfort and keep accessories very close.

All it takes to command action is the push of a button. A great size, a cadre of safety features, and superb technology work together to create a world of calm in the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.

My wife likes the car a little warm, but I like the cabin cool. The Sonata has dual adjustments for air conditioning so we were both pleased. She was happy at 80 degrees, and I was happy at 60 degrees.

Inside the 2018 Sonata. (Courtesy of Hyundai)
Inside the 2018 Sonata. (Courtesy of Hyundai)

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has more total interior volume than any vehicle in its class (122.4 cubic feet), which directly benefits headroom and legroom. The clearly defined luxury interior added to the comfort and safety features, making for a powerful driving experience.

Advanced safety features like blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and a new rear-view camera are standard while other safety technologies like lane keep assist, rear park sensors, automatic high-beam assist, and smart cruise control with stop/start capability can be added for just a few additional coins.

When driving the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, I found that the revised suspension provided a better ride quality than that of the previous year’s model. Also, the new eight-speed transmission mentioned earlier makes for smooth gear transitions while improving acceleration and fuel efficiency.

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has not been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the 2017 model was selected as a Top Safety Pick, even though its rating was downgraded a little because the headlights were rated poorly. The new 2018 Sonata appears to have solved that problem, so I expect it to go up to Top Safety Pick+.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited trim starts at $27,400. A $2,900 Ultimate package adds additional upgrades and safety features.

The entry-level 2018 Hyundai Sonata SE starts at $22,050, and the three middle trims—Eco, SEL, and Sport—are all under $24,000.

Warranty
5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
7-year/Unlimited-mile Anti Perforation Warranty
5-year/Unlimited-mile 24/7 Roadside Assistance 

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or at [email protected]