All-new, Distinctive and Exciting
Sensuous Sportiness. Hyundai isn’t shy about describing the all-new 2020 Sonata sedan. And why should they be, as its raked front end and fast-back design looks like nothing seen from Hyundai previously. But with sedan sales being challenged by crossover SUVs, why invest in sedans at all? Simple, Hyundai does them as good or better than anyone out there.
Effortless Operator
The front-wheel drive 2020 Hyundai Sonata is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic, with a Shiftronic mode and paddle shifters, has Drive Mode Select, which helps you get the most performance from the engine, offering choices of Smart, Normal, Sport and Custom. Opting for Sport for those freeway onramps, the torque comes in smoothly at the low rev range, and will pull a 0-to-60 time around 7.4 seconds. This is ample power to get up to speed, but not to fool you into thinking the Sonata is a sport sedan. Out on the freeway we stayed in Smart to get the best fuel economy. The base engine on the Sonata is a 2.5-liter, non-turbocharged 4-cylinder.
The EPA estimates fuel economy to be 27 mpg city/36 highway/31 combined. With that freeway number being oh-so-close to the magic 40 mpg, the challenge was to see what we could do. During our time in the Sonata we drove 225 miles throughout Southern California, averaging 32.1 mpg. But in a 130-mile all-freeway run with the adaptive cruise control set to 65 mph and turning 1,600 rpm, we achieved 40.8 mpg. The slippery aerodynamics are partially due to the 0.27 coefficient of drag, with underbody panels and rear lamp fins to improve air flow. Fuel economy reported by Clean Fleet Report is non-scientific and represents the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.
For even better fuel economy, the all-new 2020 Sonata Hybrid is estimated to get up to 54 mpg. In Clean Fleet Report’s experience with Hyundai hybrid vehicles, it will be possible to exceed this number. Pricing and a release date for the 2020 Sonata Hybrid have not been announced.
The well-distributed 3,336-pound weight gave the Sonata a solid and confident ride. Its 18-inch wheels and Michelin Primacy Touring tires gripped well, with only minor body roll when pushing corners to their limit. Overall, the Sonata has a comfortable ride with little wind noise and only the harshest road imperfections transmitting sounds to the cabin. The power-assisted steering was direct, with the brakes having a progressive feel producing straight and true stops, with no brake fade.
Exterior Statement
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is the first sedan from Hyundai implementing its Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy. Incorporating a new focus on “creating emotional value using proportion, styling and technology,” Hyundai has re-envisioned the Sonata from just another midsize sedan into a sporty, eye-catching four-door coupe. It looks nothing like any Hyundai before it, and it won’t be confused with any other sedan on the road. The distinctive frowning grille is framed by sneering LED headlights, edged by a very unique and compelling daylight running light strip. This strip, which runs up the fenders from beneath each headlight, then extends to the outside rearview mirrors, appears to be chrome during the day and then at night, lights-up when turned on. The development of LED lighting has opened a new world of design possibilities, and those responsible for the look, tone and feel of vehicle design must be thinking it is Christmas morning every day they go to work.
The sides are smooth, with the swept-back coupe-look leading to the most distinctive and dramatic rear end on any sedan. Stretching from edge-to-edge of the trunk lid, the horizontal line is actually a LED strip connecting the brake lights, which have those small air flow fins. This feeble attempt to describe the beauty of the Sonata, from the rear doors to the tail, isn’t cutting it. My suggestion is to go see one in person, and please report back to Clean Fleet Report with your thoughts. We, and Hyundai, will be very interested in what you think.
Clean, Refreshing Interior
Simplicity and clean lines are themes in the Sonata interior, with a calming and pleasant design belying the tech inside, including safety features and an outstanding sound system. Clean Fleet Report’s interior on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited was two-toned in Dark Gray and Camel, making for an elegant environment. The Limited, which is the top trim level above SE, SEL, SEL Plus, came standard with leather-trimmed, power, heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory. Rear seat access was excellent, with the comfortable rear seats having sculpted seat backs, and ample head and leg room. Trunk room was spacious with a low lift-over for easy loading of your gear.
The low slung dash has a nicely placed 10.25-inch horizontal color touchscreen that houses the navigation and the Bose premium audio system. The 12-speaker system has a nine-inch subwoofer for SiriusXM and AM/FM/MP3/AUX. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with smartphone integration via Bluetooth, complete the audio system. The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, telephone and cruise control. For ease-of-use, we would have liked to see a channel-sector knob to accompany the volume knob.
Other interior features are a 12.3-inch color LCD instrument cluster that included easy-to-read gauges with white backgrounds and black numbers, a proximity key with push button start, dual automatic temperature controls, power tilt and slide sunroof, a color head-up display, heated and powered side mirrors with turn signals, wireless phone charging and rear vents and USB charge port.
Technology features continue with the Hyundai Blue Link app, which provides access to vehicle systems including remote start, and the Digital Key providing extra convenience and safety. The Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror is an integrated transceiver (a transmitter and receiver) that can be programmed to activate radio frequency (RF) devices such as garage doors, estate/community gates, entry door locks, home/office lighting, security systems or other RF devices. Lastly, the Sonata has the very cool Remote Smart Parking Assist. Enjoy this demonstration.
Safety and Warranties
The Sonata comes with an extensive list of standard safety features. They include front passenger, driver knee and side airbags, along with lane departure warning, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, hill start assist, surround view monitor, a tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control. One very cool feature is, when using the right or left turn signal, a camera comes on showing the sides of the Sonata, depending on which direction is being turned.
The 2020 Sonata has not been rated by the National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Sonata a Top Safety Pick as long as you ordered the Limited trim LED projector headlights.
The 2020 Sonata comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
- Anti-perforation – Seven years/Unlimited miles
- Maintenance – Three years/36,000 miles
Pricing
The 2020 Sonata comes in four trim levels of SE, SEL, SEL Plus and Limited, ranging in base prices from $23,600 to $33,500. Clean Fleet Report’s Sonata Limited, with $135 in options, had a final MSRP of $34,365. This price includes the $930 freight and handling fee.
Observations: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited
All-new really does mean all-new when it comes to the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. From the ground up, Hyundai has a new vehicle platform, a new design language and a strengthened commitment to the sedan. Bravo on all three!
The sedan category is being fiercely fought by the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, and Toyota Camry. All good cars on that list, which is why Hyundai has stepped-up so strongly with the all-new Sonata.
Go into a Hyundai dealer for a lengthy test drive and see how a sedan will fit your lifestyle. The beauty of having so many sedans to choose from is the Hyundai Sonata can stand next to them and pretty much say—“Bring it on!”
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Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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