2024 Hyundai Sonata public Review

In recent years, competition in the mid-size sedan market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers are not only paying attention to space and practicality, but their demand for design and intelligent configurations is also growing. The debut of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata public aims to attract this group of users who seek both balanced performance and innovative design breakthroughs. As a next-generation model, its core highlights include the brand-new "Sensuous Sportiness" design language, upgraded intelligent driving assistance systems, and optimized power tuning. In this test drive, we focused on evaluating its overall performance in scenarios such as urban commuting, highway cruising, and short weekend trips to see whether it can claim more market share against established rivals like the Camry and Accord.

Approaching the vehicle, the front fascia is the first to catch the eye – a large parametric jewel grille almost dominates the entire front end, with diamond-shaped elements inside that reflect varied hues depending on the angle of light. Paired with the extended front lip below, the sporty vibe is immediately apparent. The headlights feature a split design: slender daytime running lights connect to the grille's upper edge, while the matrix-style LED headlight units are embedded on both sides of the bumper, offering high recognition when illuminated at night. The side profile showcases sleek lines, with a slightly upward-sloping waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, and the 19-inch multi-spoke wheels (available on the top trim) create a coupe-like sloping stance. The taillights also adopt a through-type design, with internal "horizontal pixel" light sources echoing the front headlights, while the lower rear section features dual chrome exhaust trims on both sides, further enhancing the sporty attributes.

Stepping inside, the changes to the interior are equally noticeable. The dashboard employs a layered design, with a 12.3-inch floating center control screen at the top, seamlessly connected to a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster on the left. Both screens have narrow bezels, creating a minimalist and highly technological visual effect. Below the central display, some often-used physical buttons are retained, such as the air conditioning adjustment knobs, which feel solid and are easy to operate by touch alone. Regarding materials, commonly touched areas like the front seats and door armrests are wrapped in soft leather, complemented by silver trim and ambient lighting, significantly enhancing the luxury feel compared to the previous generation. For features, the tested top trim model is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, a JBL sound system, as well as front seat heating/ventilation functions, fully meeting the needs of daily comfort and convenience.

The spatial performance aligns with its mid-size sedan positioning. The dimensions are 4915mm×1860mm×1450mm, with a wheelbase of 2845mm, which is 35mm longer than the previous generation. After adjusting the front row for a comfortable seating position, the rear provides about two fists' worth of legroom, with around a fist's worth of headroom—offering ample space even for a 180cm tall passenger. The middle of the rear floor has only a slight bump, which does not overly compromise the foot space for the middle passenger. In terms of storage, the door pockets can hold two bottles of mineral water, the central armrest storage box has a deep interior with a layered design, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 528 liters, and the rear seats support split-folding, expanding the space to about 1300 liters – enough for a stroller or suitcases. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with independent air-conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports, showing thoughtful attention to detail.

In terms of power, we test-drove the version equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, which delivers a maximum power of 191PS and a peak torque of 245N·m, paired with an 8AT transmission. During daily driving, the throttle response is very linear, with no jerking at the start and smooth performance at low speeds. When you step on the accelerator for rapid acceleration, the transmission shift logic is clear and the shifting speed, while not particularly fast, is smooth without noticeable jerks. Switching to sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity, the transmission shifts late, and power delivery becomes more direct, providing ample confidence for overtaking. During highway cruising, the engine maintains a speed of around 2000 RPM, and noise control is excellent, so in-car conversation is hardly affected. There is also a 1.6T turbocharged engine version available, offering a maximum power of 180PS and peak torque of 265N·m, which is suitable for users with higher performance demands.

The handling and chassis tend to emphasize comfort. The steering wheel has a moderate weight and is quite precise; it becomes heavier during high-speed driving, enhancing stability. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension. The tuning is soft, which filters out most of the bumps on the road effectively. For example, when going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the body movement is minimal, and rear passengers won’t feel much discomfort. When cornering, the body roll is within a reasonable range, with no obvious fishtailing, and the overall posture is quite stable. The brake pedal feels linear, not too sensitive at the initial step, and with even braking power towards the latter part, making it easy to control during everyday driving.

As for fuel consumption, the 2.5L version we tested had a fuel consumption of about 8.5L per 100 km in urban traffic and around 6.2L per 100 km during highway cruising. The combined fuel consumption was 7.3L/100km, which is relatively above average among naturally aspirated vehicles in its class. The intelligent driving assistance system is a key highlight of this upgrade. It is equipped with the Hyundai SmartSense system, which includes full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. When adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are activated on the highway, the vehicle can steadily remain in the center of the lane, and the following distance and speed adjustments are very smooth, significantly reducing fatigue during long drives.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2024 Sonata public are apparent: a trendy design, significantly enhanced sense of technology and luxury in the interior, spacious cabin, abundant features, smooth power delivery, and commendable fuel efficiency. Compared to the Camry, its design is younger, and its intelligent features are more comprehensive; compared to the Accord, it offers more rear space and a more competitive price (based on reference pricing). However, its suspension tuning is on the softer side, which makes it less supportive during aggressive driving, so it's better suited for daily commuting and family use rather than for users looking for extreme handling performance.

Overall, the 2024 Sonata public is a well-balanced mid-sized car. It is suitable for young users who value design and a sense of technology and also meets the needs of families who prioritize space and comfort. If your budget is between 200,000 and 250,000 MYR and you want a mid-sized car with a distinctive look, rich features, and a spacious interior, this car is worth serious consideration. It has no obvious shortcomings and is a “versatile player” that can handle both daily commuting and family outings.