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2018 Hyundai Sonata Overview

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With the rest of Hyundai’s lineup getting refreshes recently, it’s time that the Sonata got a mid-generation makeover to match the brand’s new look. For the 2018 model year, the Hyundai Sonata brings a slew of new standard features, plus enhanced looks inside at out. At this rate, the Sonata will continue to be one of Hyundai’s top-selling models.

Out with the Old: Information on last year’s 2017 Sonata specs & features

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What’s New for the 2018 Hyundai Sonata?

Thanks to styling influences from Hyundai’s stateside design studio in California, the latest Sonata receives a surprisingly fresh exterior, from the addition of the brand’s new cascading grille to LED running lights and a hot new rear end to boot. Improvements were also made to the rearranged controls and center console inside, plus bolstered suspension and steering response.

Given all these additions, the bare-bones version of the 2018 Sonata is priced starting at $22,050—merely a couple hundred dollars more than last year’s MSRP.

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is offered in seven trims: SE, Eco, SEL, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0T, and Limited 2.0T. Each trim offers an added set of standard features, both inside and out. Highlighted additions include Qi wireless charging for smartphones, hands-free smart trunk access, bird’s-eye navigation view, and Amazon Echo integration via Blue Link.

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Exterior

The 2018 Sonata parades its more dynamic body lines, particularly in the rear to accommodate the new LED tail lights. The front also gets a new face with a different grille outline and LED daytime running lights accenting it. Even the sides are tweaked due to altered wheel designs. Still, at its core, the Sonata continues to resemble the family-friendly mid-size sedan that it’s known as.

The 2018 Sonata is available in one of seven different body colors, including Symphony Silver, Phantom Black, Lakeside Blue, and Scarlet Red.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Photos:

Exterior features available on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata

SE Trim adds: Projector headlights, Automatic headlights, Lamp-type Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Center High-Mount Stop Light (CHMSL), Bodycolor exterior door handles, Chrome window-belt molding, Solar control glass, Shark-fin antenna, Chrome-tipped single exhaust
SEL Trim adds: Hands-free smart trunk, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, Chrome exterior door handles
Sport Trim adds: Glossy DLO surround and mirror housing, Sport front grille, Sport front bumper, Sport chrome rocker panels, Sport rear diffuser, Chrome-tipped dual exhaust, Power tilt-and-slide sunroof, 3D tech appearance accents, Aluminum pedals
Limited Trim adds: LED headlights, LED taillights
Limited 2.0T Trim adds: Automatic High Beam Assist

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Performance

As in years previous, the 2018 Sonata can be equipped with one of three different engine options.

The basic configuration found in the SE, SEL, Sport, and Limited trims is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. It earns 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
The Eco trim gets its own unique engine: a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder Twin-scroll Turbo regulated by a seven-speed EcoShift® dual clutch transmission with SHIFTRONIC. While more efficient, its performance is varies slightly at 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The top-of-the-line engine, reserved for the Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T trims, is a beastly 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder Twin-scroll Turbo with the same six-speed automatic transmission. Significantly better performance is seen in its potential 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Drivers will appreciate the performance enhancements added this year, including stiffer rear suspension, increased torsion bar tension, and re-calibrated steering.

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Efficiency

Hyundai’s finely-tuned, practical engines don’t disappoint when it comes to efficiency. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder averages 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway/29 combined (EPA estimates). The 1.6-liter ECO engine outdoes that with 28 mpg city/31 mpg combined, while the 2.0-liter Turbo sacrifices fuel efficiency to 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway.

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Interior

Certainly a spacious sedan for its class, the Sonata continues to focus on providing a comfortable, quiet cabin experience for drivers and passengers. The five-seater generally looks the same inside this year, apart from giving some extra room to stretch due to a reconstructed center task.

Total passenger volume measures 106.1 cubic feet, while cargo volume in the trunk is a generous 16.3 cubic feet. Driver head room is 40.4 inches; back seat leg room is 35.6 inches.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Interior Photos:

Interior features available on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata

SE Trim adds: Premium cloth seating surfaces, Dual illuminated vanity mirrors, Metal grain appearance accents, Steering-wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth® and cruise controls, 7-inch color touchscreen display audio, 8-inch touchscreen navigation, Smartphone/USB and auxiliary input jacks, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility
SEL Trim adds: Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 10-way power driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support, Heated front seats, Proximity Key entry with push button start, 4.2-inch color trip computer with custom settings, HD Radio™ technology, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Floor console-mounted USB charge port, Blue Link® Telematics System, Blue Link® Connected Care Package (3-year complimentary service), Blue Link® Remote Package (3-year complimentary service)
Sport Trim adds: Power auto-down/up passenger window, Leather-wrapped D-cut steering wheel, Leather-wrapped Sport shift knob, Sport seats with leather bolsters and cloth insert,
Limited Trim adds: Power auto-down/up passenger window, Leather-wrapped D-cut steering wheel, Leather-wrapped Sport shift knob, Sport seats with leather bolsters and cloth insert, Headlights w/ Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) technology, Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® and compass
Limited 2.0T Trim adds: Rear side window sunshades, Heated steering wheel, Sport seats with leather seating surfaces, Rear parking sensors, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, Electronic Parking Brake with Automatic Vehicle Hold, 8-inch touchscreen navigation, Infinity® AM/FM/SiriusXM/MP3 9-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier, Wireless Device Charging, Blue Link® Guidance Package (3-year complimentary service)

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Safety

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is the only car in its class to come with standard blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert in its top-of-the-line Limited 2.0T trim. High tech driver assist features added this year include lane departure warning and enhanced lane keep assist.

As of July, crash test and safety scores have not been released for the 2018 Sonata, but in the past, the Sonata has earned full scores on the IIHS’s tests (making it a Top Safety Pick) and near-perfect results from the NHTSA’s evaluations (full stars in 3/4 categories). Although the 2018 Sonata has underdone a body makeover, it’s not unreasonable to still expect similar results for 2018.

Standard Safety Features on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata

Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist
Rearview camera
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Advanced dual front airbags (SRS) with Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Driver and front passenger side-impact airbags (SRS)
Side-curtain airbags (SRS) (front and rear passengers)
Driver's knee airbag
Energy-absorbing steering column
Rear LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
Power window lock-out button
Front and rear crumple zones Standard
Remote keyless entry system with alarm

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