As Hyundai has grown from a builder of small, affordable cars into a global force to be reckoned with, the Sonata has evolved into a compelling sedan that easily stands up to blockbuster rivals like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The car is getting a heavy facelift for 2024, which brings better aerodynamics, a more aggressive look, and available all-wheel drive (AWD). Hyundai also updates the Sonata’s tech, giving it a curved display and new safety features.
Hyundai will offer the refreshed 2024 Sonata with gas or hybrid powertrain options, and the sporty N Line will transition to the new model year. Though a red-hot Elantra N with a powerful turbocharged engine exists, Hyundai has only offered the larger Sonata in the “diet” N Line trim. Even so, its turbo-4 makes a healthy 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
Though it made numerous improvements to the Sonata for 2024, Hyundai’s most notable changes are the exterior styling updates. The current sedan has a unique, curvy look up front, but the new model has an almost Robocop-like front fascia. It sports Hyundai’s “Seamless Horizon Lamp”—an LED light bar that stretches the width of the hood—and the lower fascia has a prominent grille with plenty of open space the automaker says provides for efficient cooling. The taillights feature Hyundai’s “H” logo at each corner and another LED light bar, this time in red.
Buyers have three interior color choices with the standard Sonata: black, dark gray and beige, and dark gray and camel. The N Line comes with dark gray upholstery and red stitching. Hyundai equips cloth upholstery as standard, but higher trim levels get leather, and the new Sonata comes with more body reinforcements and sound-deadening materials to make the cabin quieter and reduce vibrations.
Hyundai offers three powertrain choices for the 2024 Sonata. The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, and the N Line gets a 2.5-liter turbo-4. Hyundai hasn’t shared final specs yet, but in 2023, the engines provided 191 and 290 hp, respectively. An 8-speed automatic transmission comes with the naturally aspirated engine, while the turbo gets an 8-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. Hybrid buyers get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor for a combined system output of 192 hp. Unlike many hybrids, the 2024 Sonata comes with a conventional 6-speed automatic instead of a continuously variable transmission, significantly improving the driving experience and responsiveness.
With the 2024 refresh, AWD is available for the first time in Sonata models equipped with the 2.5-liter base engine. The front-wheel-drive-based system pairs with a handful of drive modes to provide better traction and stability. Selectable modes include Snow, Normal, Smart, Sport, and Custom. Sonata Hybrid models also get AWD, which uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels, and the car has adjustable regenerative braking via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
The 2023 Sonata earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), scoring Good in most crash-test categories. It fell short in the Institute’s new side and moderate overlap front tests. Hyundai equips a generous list of standard safety gear in the 2024 Sonata, including forward-collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot warning with collision assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keeping assistance, a rear-seat reminder system, and more. A Highway Driving Assist system is available, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance to center the car in its lane and maintain constant distances from other vehicles.
Hyundai updated the 2024 Sonata’s infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens—one for the gauge cluster and the other for a touchscreen display. While it’s not as flashy as some interfaces, Hyundai’s infotainment system is responsive and easy to learn, reducing distraction while driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available for all trims, and continuous over-the-air updates keep the system running smoothly. A Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers and a 12-inch head-up display is also available.
Though the popularity of sedans has faded as buyers gravitate toward SUVs and pickups, the cars in the Sonata’s class offer stiff competition. The ubiquitous Toyota Camry also offers a hybrid option, and the V6-powered variants put down a stout 301 hp. There’s also the Honda Accord, which received a recent overhaul that brought upscale styling and more refined performance. Buyers may also consider the Subaru Legacy, which provides standard AWD, or the sporty but comfy Kia K5.
Hyundai is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of August 30, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.
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