Hyundai’s midsize sedan, the Sonata, was facelifted last year with a refreshed styling, a number of tweaks inside and some work carried beneath the skin.
A couple of months later, it was launched in the United States, with an MSRP of $22,050.
Consumer Reports got behind the wheel of the 2018 Sonata and let’s just say they didn’t fall in love with it. In fact, they claim it has one major flaw: a huge sacrifice in ride quality compared to its predecessor, “to the point that it falls short of most competitors”.
However, the harsher ride quality was the trade-off Hyundai’s engineers chose in order to improve the handling and braking. And in that end they have succeeded, as the Sonata now corners much better than before.
The cabin won’t impress its occupants, as most trim is made from hard plastics, but there are some improved materials. Its controls are also very easy to use, there’s plenty of space on the rear seat, and the front seats were found to be comfortable for most body types.
Even the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, with its 185hp and six-speed automatic gearbox, is good enough to live with on a daily basis. Still, those who want a bit more can order the 2.0-liter unit, which puts out 245hp and comes with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.