2024 Hyundai Sonata revealed, Australian launch confirmed

The updated 2024 Hyundai Sonata has debuted before its local arrival in the second half of this year.

More than just an industry-standard mid-life facelift, the updated Sonata medium sedan has gained an all-new cabin, a Grandeur and Kona-inspired exterior design, and the latest features.

Arriving four years into the lifecycle of the eighth-generation 'DN8' Sonata, the new model is aimed to improve sales in South Korea, following a disappointing customer response – and increased demand for SUVs.

19

Up front, the Sonata receives a split headlight design, with a full-width LED DRL strip running above a lower-positioned grille featuring 'hidden' main beam units.

A more pronounced dome has been added to the bonnet, while the chrome strip running from the beltline – a Sonata trait since 2009 (when it was known as the i45 in Australia) – to the headlights with integrated DRLs has been removed.

New-design alloy wheels – up to 19 inches for the flagship N Line – and a faux air intake headline the changes to the side profile, while the rear bumper adopts a more-angular design inspired by the Tucson and i30 Sedan.

19

In addition, the Sonata scores H-shaped tail-lights with a thicker full-width light strip running across the boot, featuring the brand's 'Parametric Pixel' design language, as seen in the all-electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6.

Inside, the dashboard is entirely new, with a similar look to the new Kona and what's predicted to be the next-generation Santa Fe's cabin.

The current 10.25-inch widescreen has increased to 12.3 inches and is now housed in a curved, BMW-like display panel incorporating a new take on the existing 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

It appears to be running Hyundai's latest Connected Car Operating System (ccOS), with support for over-the-air software updates, an updated interface, and an Nvidia-supplied graphic processing unit.

19

The facelifted Sonata is expected to follow the Palisade, Venue, Tucson and Ioniq 6 in gaining Hyundai's Bluelink connected-car technology in Australia.

Also new is a brand-new steering wheel with a column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector – identical to the next-generation Kona – to free up space in the centre console.

Design updates include a full-length air-conditioning vent, a new 'touch-type' climate control panel, USB-C charge ports, a simplified centre console with additional storage and a larger armrest, and a revised interior colour palette.

19

Hyundai has yet to detail the technical specifications for the updated Sonata, but it isn't expected to receive substantial revisions under the bonnet.

In Australia, the Hyundai Sonata is exclusively offered in range-topping N Line trim, which is tipped to remain the case for the updated model.

It is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine producing 213kW and 422Nm, with power sent to the front wheels only via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

19

When will the updated 2024 Sonata come to Australia?

Hyundai Australia has confirmed it will arrive in the second half of 2023, with local pricing and details to be announced closer to launch.

Currently, the Sonata N Line is priced at $52,065 before on-road costs, with a price rise expected for the updated model.

There can be little mistaking the Sonata’s role in Australia, however. With only 536 examples sold across all of 2022, the warm sedan exists purely as an image-building passion piece for the local arm.

Below: the current, pre-facelift Hyundai Sonata N Line