2020 Hyundai Sonata delivers styling, advanced technology

By Marlon Hanson
MyCarData

(November 10, 2019) MIAMI — You might not recognize the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. The new model has undergone a significant makeover, inside and out. Hyundai made the new Sonata the star of the Miami International Auto Show, and journalists in attendance benefited. We were among the first to drive Hyundai’s stylish new mid-size offering.


With your first glance of the mid-size sedan, you’ll see a design that makes you do a double take. Sonata designer Kevin Kang gave us a complete update on the vision the designers brought to life. With design changes to the front end, the Sonata delivers a luxurious appearance. You might find yourself comparing it to a Maserati or Aston Martin. But we all know cars are so much more than just shiny objects — buyers also want substance.

Chrome features lining the hood as it descends past the front headlamps are impressive.  The chrome lights up at night, illustrating yet another Hyundai and Sonata first.

Hyundai delivers with advanced technology, like Sonata’s Digital Key. Journalists gasped in unison when it was demonstrated how the car can be unlocked and driven with a smartphone.

But wait, there’s more. Sonata owners will now be able to unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, and even drive the vehicle out of a tight parking space with their smartphone. I was so impressed with the remote smart parking assist, I immediately posted it on Facebook. Within a few minutes, friends commented about how useful and impressive the technology is, since most of us have found ourselves boxed in at some point. Of course, it’s not fun to improvise to find a way to open our door and get in or out of our vehicle.

The new digital key comes standard on the Limited model and is available as an option on the SEL models. Completely standard on SEL and Limited models is the Blind-Spot View Monitor feature with a monitor warning the driver on the Sonata instrumentation. Similar to Honda’s Lane Watch, but on the Sonata it’s even more impressive.

When using the left or right signal, the blind-spot monitor shows you on the instrument panel what’s on your side — including oncoming traffic or a curb! During our all too short test drive, as we waited to make a left turn a pickup truck suddenly decided to pass us. Fortunately, the monitor showed us the impending problem.

The list of features that are standard across the entire Sonata line is extensive — Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance, Lane Keep and Lane Follow Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Traction Control, Stability Control, Electronic Parking Brake, Hill Assist, Tire pressure monitoring, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, solar glass and anti-lock braking. Also standard on all models are front, knee, rear side, front and front side airbags.

On the same day the first new Sonata was rolling off the production line, the Sonata was already winning awards. It was honored as the Best Mid-Sized Sedan of the Year by Sobre Ruedas at the Miami International Auto Show. Other awards captured by Hyundai from Sobre Ruedas include the Palisade. Hyundai’s new three-row SUV was recognized as the Vehicle of the Year and Hyundai Motor America as the overall Manufacturer of the Year.

Production of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata has just started. Consumers will be able to test drive and purchase this vehicle within the next month.