Hyundai Sonata 2024 Review

In the past two years, the mid-sized sedan market in Malaysia hasn't been calm. The top three Japanese brands have maintained their market base, while German brands are attracting young consumers with a focus on technology. Consumers' decision-making logic has shifted from "just enough is fine" to "balanced in configuration, aesthetics, and performance." The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Public, as a facelift model, returns to the market this time with a more aggressive exterior design, an upgraded intelligent cockpit, and optimized power tuning. Can it break through in this fiercely competitive segment? Through a week-long test drive, we comprehensively evaluated this car's real-world performance from static to dynamic aspects.

At first glance, the 2024 Sonata Public leaves the impression that its design has finally shed the previous mediocre vibe. The front face adopts a split headlight design, with an LED light strip running across the upper grille, connecting seamlessly with the sharp daytime running lights on both sides, offering high recognition when illuminated. The large trapezoidal blacked-out air intake of the lower grille, paired with the air ducts on both sides of the front bumper, strongly enhances the sporty feel. The side profile features sleek lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, giving the side a long and elegant look. The 18-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are dynamic in design, and the tire specifications are 235/45 R18, presenting a full and well-proportioned visual effect. The changes at the rear are equally noticeable, with the LED taillights extending across and echoing the design at the front. The middle of the tail light has the "Hyundai" English badge embedded, and the lower diffuser decoration, along with the dual exhaust outlets on each side (decorative only), further strengthens the sporty atmosphere.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is driver-centric, with the center console adopting a layered design. The upper layer features soft-touch materials, the middle part is accented with silver trim, and the lower layer uses hard plastic, but the seams are treated rather neatly, giving an overall texture that is above average for its class. The most striking feature is the 12.3-inch dual connected screens. On the left is a full digital instrument cluster, and on the right is a central touchscreen display. The screen resolution and responsiveness are quite good, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with relatively intuitive operation. The steering wheel features a three-spoke design with comfortable leather wrapping. On the left are multimedia control buttons, while the right houses controls for the driver-assist systems. The buttons provide clear feedback. The seats are wrapped in faux leather material, with the front seats supporting electric adjustment and heating features. The cushions and backrests provide decent support, ensuring long-term comfort for passengers.

In terms of space, the 2024 Sonata Public measures 4915mm/1860mm/1445mm in length, width, and height, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2840mm. These dimensions place it within the mainstream range for mid-sized sedans. When the front seat is adjusted to a comfortable driving position, a 175cm-tall passenger can still have one fist distance of headroom. The rear space performs even better, providing over two fists of legroom and four fingers of headroom. The slight hump in the middle of the rear floor isn't too high, ensuring decent comfort for the middle passenger when three people are seated in the back. As for storage space, the door pockets can hold two bottles of water, the center armrest box has a moderate capacity, and the trunk offers a standard volume of 510L. With a relatively wide opening, folding the rear seats further expands the space, making it completely sufficient for daily family use.

The model tested this time is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 191 horsepower and a maximum torque of 245N·m, paired with an 8AT transmission. The power output is quite linear, with no noticeable jerks when starting, and the acceleration process is also very smooth. The shifting logic of the 8AT transmission is clear, and although the shifting speed is not very fast, it excels in smoothness. When switched to sport mode, the throttle response becomes more aggressive, and the transmission shifts are delayed, providing a better acceleration experience. In urban roads, this powertrain setup is entirely sufficient, and during overtaking, as long as the accelerator is pressed deeply, the transmission downshifts quickly, and the power keeps up in time.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel feels relatively light and has decent precision, making it agile in city traffic. The suspension consists of a front MacPherson strut and a rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively absorbs most of the vibrations, and there is no significant bumpy sensation transferred to the cabin. However, during high-speed cornering, the body leans noticeably, which is a common issue for family sedans, as their focus isn’t on being sporty.

As for fuel consumption, during our week-long test drive — primarily on city roads with an occasional highway trip — the indicated fuel consumption was 8.2L/100km. This result is within the normal range for cars with the same engine displacement. In terms of driver assistance systems, this car comes equipped with full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, active braking, and other features. When adaptive cruise control is activated on the highway, the vehicle can maintain its position in the center of the lane and automatically adjust the following distance, which reduces the driver's burden.

In terms of noise control, the 2024 Sonata Public performs quite well. On city roads, tire noise and wind noise are not noticeable, though wind noise becomes slightly more apparent at high speeds, but it does not affect normal conversations inside the cabin. The comfort of the seats has already been mentioned earlier. The rear air conditioning vents and USB ports are also equipped, catering to the needs of rear-seat passengers.

Overall, the core highlights of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Public lie in its youthful exterior design, spacious interior, and comfortable driving experience. Compared to its peers, such as the Toyota Camry, it has a more aggressive design, richer features, and a potentially more competitive price. In comparison to the Honda Accord, its space utilization is better, though it might be slightly inferior in terms of power and handling. In summary, the 2024 Sonata Public is more suitable for consumers focusing on family use, especially those who value comfort and spaciousness in their vehicles.

In conclusion, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Public is a well-rounded mid-size family sedan with no obvious shortcomings. Its exterior, space, features, and performance can all meet the needs of daily use. If you're looking for an affordable, spacious, and comfortable family car, this model is definitely worth considering.