New Hyundai Sonata Raises Stakes Against Camry

People say you only get one chance to make a first impression—and the new Sonata makes a great one. First off, Hyundai has opted for a bold redesign: a wide, low nose, thin light bars front and back, and a design that looks more sporty coupe than conventional sedan. The optional awd (awdr) with the limited edition Aero Silver or N Line accentuations make it even more bold. It makes an impact in person—friends and family members who are SUV fans still called it “sharp.” If you want a midsize car that garners attention during school pick-up or at the grocery store, this Sonata will likely turn heads and make a Camry feel a little dull.

High-Tech Interior: Smart Meets Practical

Hop in, and Hyundai clearly means business with tech. You are in a slick digital glass cockpit: a 12.3-inch screen blends the infotainment and driver display into one seamless display. You will appreciate that physical controls for volume and climate are a great blend of the ease of use and tech—no getting lost in menus. The cabin has features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a head-up display, and optional fingerprint login and ambient lighting to add to the experience. Overall, the interior feels modern and upper-class—much more appealing to the style of your techie friend rather than the typical Camry offering. It also has soft materials and enough space in the front and rear seating (two-row) to give the impression of a more modern premium experience for long-distance travel.

Powertrains: Hybrid, Turbo, or N‑Line Zing

What's beneath the skin? The Sonata lineup has something to suit everybody. The hybrid delivers approximately 192 hp and is rated at 47 combined MPG, competing against the Camry hybrid 
Want something a little bit peppier? The N‑Line includes a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 290 hp - actually, fairly sporty for a midsize car
Both trims offer AWD as an option, keeping things somewhat sure-footed in whatever rain or snow that you have to deal with, unlike the old Camry setups. Whether you want to drive more socially conscious - as economic - or zippy, speedy, rather - or even just a hybrid, there's a Sonata type that will accommodate - plus check with a Camry owner to see if you'll notice! 

Ride Comfort & Utility: Room for Life

Ride quality is a strong suit. The hybrid version offers a seamless, relaxed ride, and quiet engine transitions thanks to the hybrid system. The sporty N-Line is comfortable and fairly refined too, a bit sharper than a Camry, but never punishing. On the practical side, trunk space is a generous 15.6 cu ft, ample for grocery runs or two. The interior provides good storage solutions too, think wireless charging pad and decent pockets in the cabin. And cabin noise is very well damped thanks to the use of acoustic glass, a nice quality for families or everyday commuters.

Safety & Driving Aids: Smarter Roads Ahead

Here, safety technology is standard. Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering, which makes highway driving easy. You also get blind-spot monitoring with steering assistance, rear-collision warning, blind-spot camera, and automated emergency braking. A 5-star (NHTSA) safety rating on the hybrid shows it’s not technology for technology sakes. In urban driving, that’s what makes the Sonata feel both confident and quick—the system perhaps a cut above to the TSS-C version in the Camry, which reviewers say doesn’t feel quite so seamless.

Price & Warranty: Value with Peace of Mind

The pricing of the refreshed Sonata is set to commence at approximately $26,900 for the entry-level models and reach about $38,800 for the exceedingly well-equipped hybrid Limited trim—well within the mid-range of the midsize class. Then add in Hyundai's great warranty—the best-in-class 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty—and it becomes a serious Camry competitor. For example, when compared for out-the-door prices, a fully-equipped Sonata N-Line or Hybrid Limited may come below a comparable Camry XSE or hybrid trim while offering better technology and aesthetics for your money.