The recently unveiled 2020 Hyundai Sonata is riding on an all-new, front-wheel drive platform.
However, an all-wheel drive version aimed at the U.S. market could very well make its way into the U.S. market. CNET reports that Hyundai’s product division director, Jae Young Kim, has told as much ahead of the media drive that takes place in South Korea.
“Yes… we are currently reviewing the need for all-wheel drive in [the U.S.] market”, he said when asked about it. “In the future, the SUVs will sit on this platform, so, of course, the platform does have that [AWD].”
Also See: 2020 Hyundai Sonata: Take An In-Depth Video And Photo Look
Fitting the eighth-gen Sonata with an all-wheel drive system will better help it cope with some of its rivals, such as the new Nissan Altima and the upcoming Subaru Legacy, that are offered with AWD,. and also make it more appealing to customers living in cold-climate states.
At launch, Hyundai will offer the mid-size sedan with a choice of two engines in global markets. The 1.6-liter T-GDI makes 180 hp (183 PS / 134 kW) and 194 lb-ft (263 Nm) of torque, and the 2.5-liter GDI delivers 190 hp (193 PS / 142 kW) and 180 lb-ft (244 Nm) of torque. Both units are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It hasn’t been announced yet which engines will be available in the U.S. Nonetheless, the all-new Sonata will celebrate its premiere in our market in mid-April during the 2019 New York Auto Show, before going on sale in the second half of the year, so soon enough we’ll have all the relevant info.
