As the brand ambassador for Hyundai, the Sonata midsize sedan is perhaps the most important car in the corporate lineup. It's certainly important for Hyundai's bottom line, with even the long-in-the-tooth 2014 model capturing 27 percent of the brand's 2014 sales year-to-date, second only to the smaller Elantra's 32 percent. The Sonata is also Hyundai's warrior in the bloodiest battleground in the industry, so what it doesn't need is dud ammunition.
But the car's no dud. In fact, from an aesthetic standpoint, the 2015 car is a hit. It successfully transitions away from the previous generation's eye-catching but superfluous styling. Contemporary, crisp lines replace the swoops and waves of the older model; Hyundai says the new car appears more mature, and I couldn't agree more. Thanks to the new styling, the car's drag coefficient has dropped from 0.28 to 0.27, which undoubtedly helps fuel economy too.
Like the exterior, the interior is heavily influenced by the recent Hyundai Genesis redesign. Out is the old wave-form dash, shiny plastic and gimmicky human-shaped climate controls, replaced with softer matte finishes and a clean, clear layout. The center stack is wider than in the outgoing model and has a distinctly BMW-like, trapezoidal design, with either stereo controls or a touchscreen display at top (5 or 8 inches depending on whether navigation is included) and switchgear organized in rows beneath. The 8-inch display looks especially nice, and Hyundai says that it is both Apple CarPlay- and Google Android Auto-compatible, with an update slated to come later this year that will be retro-compatible to all 2015 Sonata and Genesis sedans.
The 2015 Sonata is slightly larger than its 2014 counterpart. Hyundai says it's an inch wider and longer, with a 0.4-inch wheelbase stretch. The increased overall dimensions translate to an additional inch of rear legroom and a touch more headroom both front and rear. With 122.4 cubic inches of total interior volume, the EPA apparently now classifies the Sonata as a large car instead of midsize. Placing my 5'11" frame in the rear seat, the changes aren't enough to make the Sonata feel limo-like, unlike the current Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord, but legroom is noticeably improved and I was able to get plenty comfortable.
Changes also come to the Sonata's suspension, the geometry of the front struts having been revised and the change made from a single- to dual-lower arm setup in the rear multilink suspension. The steering system was given a larger-diameter column and increased rack stiffness to improve precision and on-center feel. All models feature column-mounted electric power steering, except for the 2.0T Sport which gets its EPS system mounted on the rack for improved steering feel.
A total of five basic versions of 2015 Sonata will be available by this fall. The SE is the new base model (previously called GLS) and that, along with the Sport (previously SE) and Limited models receive the familiar 2.4-liter GDI inline-four engine and six-speed automatic transmission. That engine is revised slightly with new electrically actuated valve timing and a retune to push power lower in the rpm range at the consequence of a slight loss of peak output (down a few points to 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque). The old 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 continues to serve in the 2.0T Sport model, and receives a few changes. New variable flaps in the intake manifold are aimed at saving fuel when decelerating and more efficient exhaust flow to and from the twin-scroll turbocharger helps efficiency and low-end torque, though the car is down to 245 hp and 260 lb-ft (a drop of 29 hp and 9 lb-ft from the year before). The 2.0T engine is mated to the same six-speed auto as the 2.4 GDI, with a lever-actuated manual mode. A 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo I-4 makes its way into a new Eco model which also receives Hyundai's new seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The new gearbox was designed in-house and is still being tweaked for optimum response and efficiency ahead of August production. The Eco model is estimated to produce around 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, or a little less power and a little more torque than the base 2.4, while offering better fuel efficiency. EPA ratings are estimated at 32 mpg combined for the Eco, while the SE manages 29 mpg combined and the 2.0T Sport, 26 mpg combined.
