2019 Hyundai Sonata 1.6L T-GDI 8AT FWD (180 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The eighth generation of the Sonata broke covers at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, and customers from the U.S. were eagerly waiting to see it live, and they could do that at the New York Auto Show in April of the same year.

With its mid-size sedan exterior dimensions and full-size interior room, according to the EPA, the eighth generation of the Sonata was a true alternative for families looking for a comfortable and well-equipped vehicle. Besides the modern styling that targeted younger buyers, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata was packed with technology and modern features that made onboard life more pleasant. The automaker offered the car in four trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited, with the lower grades offering more powerful engines than the upper ones, albeit with less torque.

While the previous two generations of the Sonata followed the “Fluidic Sculpture” design concept, the eighth generation came under a new styling language named Sensuous Sportiness. Hyundai tried to make this mid-size sedan look sportier but with a touch of elegance. The car’s front fascia featured a shell-shaped grille adorned by horizontal slats where the brand’s badge took center stage. A pair of LED headlights with sharp corners and rounded edges flanked it, underlined by daytime running lights. In addition, the automaker added longitudinal LED lights that flanked the hood, continued rearwards by chromed trims.

From its profile, the low-slung bodywork resembled a fastback coupe. The car’s height was lowered by 30 mm (1.2 inches), while the length was increased by 45 mm (1.8 inches). On the sides, the automaker added sculptured lines on the upper and lower sides of the door panels, continued over the rear quarter panels. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata was available with wheels ranging from 16- to 18 inches, depending on the grade, and in eight exterior colors. One of them was exclusively offered on the SEL Plus trim level. At the back, the mid-size sedan featured C-shaped taillights with three small fins on each side, which the automaker said lowered drag resistance.

However, the interior was the one that most families valued most. For the two lower grades, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata featured a mix of analog and an LCD with a 3.5- or 4.2-inch between the speedometer and tachometer for the SE and the SEL grades, respectively. Upper grades, on the other hand, received a standard 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel, while the Limited benefited from a HUD. Atop the center stack, the automaker offered an eight-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch one available for the SEL Plus and the Limited. Between the comfortable front seats on the center console, the automaker installed the buttons for the automatic transmissions. It was the first Sonata to ditch the traditional gear lever for the gearbox. In the back, there was enough room for three adults, although the middle seat had limited legroom due to the car’s center tunnel. Another unique feature of the car was the introduction of the digital key, which was available on Android smartphones.

Under the hood, Hyundai installed a choice of two gasoline engines. The one for the lower grades was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter unit, while the other option was a 1.6-liter turbocharged. Regardless of the grade, all the 2020 Sonatas were fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with manual override, named SHIFTRONIC. Even though the smaller engine produced less power, thanks to the forced induction it provided a higher torque on a broader rev-range than its non-turbocharged sibling.