It's Hyundai's challenger to the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion et al, which makes it a vital debut not only for Hyundai but for anyone in the market for a mid-size family sedan – and that's one of the biggest markets of all.
Set to be revealed at the New York Auto Show in a matter of mere weeks, the all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata you see here is the latest representation of a more toned-down family design language which Hyundai calls Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, following the lead set by the new Genesis and away from the swoopy and sharply creased styling of the successful but stylistically divisive model it replaces. A good inch longer and wider than the outgoing Sonata, the new model is also over a third more rigid, thanks in no small part to the use of high-strength steel that now composes over half of the body's construction.
Having undergone extensive testing at Hyundai's new test center at the Nürburgring and at the Mojave Proving Ground in California, the new Sonata promises a more refined ride. It also offers a good deal more interior space where, as the latest volume model from one of the world's largest automakers, you'll find it incorporates the latest electronic safety features, infotainment technologies and creature comforts.
We're looking at the Korean market version here, which will be offered with three engine options – four-cylinder units ranging from 2.0 liters to 2.4 and from 151 horsepower to 193 – driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Hyundai has yet to confirm which powertrain options will be offered Stateside, but with a few minor differences, we can expect to see largely the same vehicle on the show stand at the Javitz Center next month.
