Contrary to rumors of a possible production halt, Hyundai is actively developing the ninth generation of its Sonata sedan. The company has decided not to abandon this legendary model but to radically reinvent it. According to reports from South Korea, the new version will feature a design in the style of the “Art of Steel,” combining futuristic solutions with direct references to the very first generation of the Sonata from the mid-1980s.
The car’s design will undergo dramatic changes. Like the electric Ioniq 5 and the N Vision 74 concept, the new Sonata will showcase an exterior with angular shapes, sharp edges, and a “square” silhouette. Significant changes will also affect the under-the-hood space.
Hyundai plans to fully abandon purely gasoline internal combustion engines for this model. The ninth generation will be available exclusively with hybrid powertrains-both self-charging and plug-in. The sporty N Line version may even receive an electric power unit.
Demand for the current Sonata is declining: in the key U.S. market, sales of the eighth-generation Sonata decreased by 12% this year, and in November alone, they fell by 42%. Hyundai apparently believes that the combination of bold retro-futuristic design and powerful, economical hybrid systems will breathe new life into this aging bestseller.
