• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise with Us

Tahoe Ski World

skiing in Lake Tahoe

  • Explore Tahoe
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Lodging
    • Restaurants
    • Travel/Golf/Auto reviews
  • Tahoe Ski Resorts
  • News
    • Featured
    • Equipment
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will new redesign bolster Hyundai Sonata?

June 4, 2020 By admin

A new redesign should be a boast for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. However, don’t expect the solid midsize sedan to gain much, if any ground on the two perennial class heavyweights. It’s unlikely to happen.

Now in its seventh generation, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata arrives with lots of improvements. Among the upgrades are new technology features and a larger interior.

For more than two decades, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been far-outdistancing the other top midsize sedans when it comes to sales. And most years the gap has not been close for the Sonata and other top models, which include the Mazda6, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima.

In 2019, the Camry had the most sales in the class with a whopping 336,978. The Accord resided in second (267,567), yet its sales were a little more than 69,000 less than the Camry. The Altima had the third most sales (209,183), while the Sonata had an off year with 87,466 sold, far off its best sales year of 230,605 in 2012.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a logical bet that no vehicle, regardless of class, will match or exceed its 2019 numbers.

Now in its seventh generation, the 2020 Sonata arrives with lots of improvements. Among the upgrades are new technology features and a larger interior. The exterior styling, including a new grille, helps give the Sonata a sportier look because its lower and longer.

The Sonata already enjoyed a reputation for providing a well-designed cabin that uses quality materials. The comfortable seating is another Sonata trait. Up front, the leg and head room are good, while in the back seat passengers can sit comfortably, even behind a driver who is 6-foot tall or more.

Other than an odd push-button shifter, nearly all the control features are smartly placed, intuitive, and fairly easy to quickly master. There’s a standard 8-inch touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes with every trim model: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited. Trunk space (16 cubic feet) is average for the class.

A new tech feature for the 2020 Sonata is a digital key, an app that allows the driver to use their cell phone as a key. A drawback is the digital key is not compatible with iPhones; it’s Android friendly only.

At a Glance – 2020 Hyundai Sonata

  • Performance: 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 191 horsepower; turbo 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, 180 horsepower
  • Mileage estimate: 27-37 mpg; 27-36 mpg
  • Price estimate: $23,700 to $33,600
  • Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles; drivetrain: 10 years/100,000 miles; roadside assistance: 5 years/unlimited; corrosion: 6 years/unlimited

Performance is mediocre for the Sonata and comes up short when stacked against the more energetic Accord and Camry. The standard Sonata engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that generates 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The turbo model driven here, a 1.6-liter with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, goes 0-60 mph in a sluggish 8.2 seconds. Both models deliver great fuel economy.

There are no deficiencies in how the Sonata drives, but most of its traits – handling, steering, braking – are just average. A nice tech feature is the remote parking assist, allowing the driver to be outside the car and direct it to move forward or backward using the key fob. Note that the process is a bit tedious.

A redesign makes the 2020 Hyundai Sonata a little more appealing than previous years. We’re fans of its interior makeup and it remains solid overall in a midsize sedan class that’s loaded with good choices.

Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Travel/Golf/Auto reviews Tagged With: 2020 Hyundai Sonata, 2020 Hyundai Sonata review, auto reviews, New redesign Hyundai Sonata, Weidel on Wheels

Primary Sidebar

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Snow continues piling up at Tahoe ski resorts

    Snow continues piling up at Tahoe ski resorts

    February 6, 2023
  • Snow returns to Tahoe ski resorts

    Snow returns to Tahoe ski resorts

    February 5, 2023
  • Volvo S60 Recharge offers plug-in hybrid

    Volvo S60 Recharge offers plug-in hybrid

    February 5, 2023
  • Family fun at Palisades Tahoe tubing hill

    Family fun at Palisades Tahoe tubing hill

    February 2, 2023
  • California snowpack more than double seasonal average

    California snowpack more than double seasonal average

    February 1, 2023

Footer

Guest Posts

  • Elantra N welcome addition for Hyundai

    August 17, 2022
  • Cost to ski in South Korea?

    October 23, 2020
  • 2017 Dodge Durango comfortable SUV with long trips

    October 28, 2017
  • Added performance in 2017 Nissan Pathfinder

    August 25, 2017
  • 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan needs revamping

    August 24, 2017

Skiing

  • Snow returns to Tahoe ski resorts

    February 5, 2023
  • Family fun at Palisades Tahoe tubing hill

    February 2, 2023
  • Ski Safety Day on Saturday at Tahoe ski resorts

    January 27, 2023
  • Top-10 US snow totals this season

    January 27, 2023
  • Bluebird days return at Tahoe ski resorts

    January 19, 2023

Equipment

  • Will it ever stop snowing at Tahoe ski resorts?

    January 11, 2023
  • Tahoe ski resorts making improvements

    September 8, 2022
  • Tips for buying new skis

    February 11, 2020
  • Tips for buying new skis

    December 28, 2018
  • Should skiers hang on to aging equipment?

    January 7, 2017

Lodging

  • Village at Palisades Tahoe offers excellent lodging

    October 25, 2021
  • Mother’s Day at Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

    April 28, 2019
  • The Landing offering late ski season lodging deals

    April 6, 2019
  • Hotel Becket offers convenient lodging in South Lake Tahoe

    February 2, 2019
  • Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe ideal ski destination

    December 2, 2018

Restaurants

  • Squaw Valley offers to-go Thanksgiving dinner

    November 18, 2020
  • Good Wolf Brewing’s grand opening Feb. 1

    January 30, 2020
  • Thumbs up for Ten Crows BBQ in Tahoe

    February 2, 2019
  • Lake Tahoe’s West Shore Cafe honored by Wine Spectator

    July 20, 2017
  • Homewood Mountain Resort hosting Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

    August 7, 2016

Become a Subscriber

Enter your email to be a subscriber:

Copyright © 2023 Tahoe Ski World Powered by Jeff Weidel