For the 2018 model year, the sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata has been given a significant makeover. See all the changes in this side-by-side comparison.
2018 F/L
2015-17
After the groundbreaking fifth-generation (YF) Sonata, Hyundai was stung by criticism of the conservative looks of the sixth-generation (LF) model. Along with falling sales in the mid-size sedan market, Hyundai has given the Sonata a big facelift with heavily revised front and rear ends that were designed in the USA, the car's main market.
2018 F/L
2015-17
Stylistically, at least, there's not much happening along the sides of the car. There's new alloy wheels, but the doors, roof and overall profile remain the same.
2018 F/L
2015-17
As with the front, the rear-end has been given a sportier look with a new all new trunk lid and LED tail-lights.
2018 F/L
2015-17
While the 2018 Sonata has a much more sporty looking exterior, the styling of the interior remains functional and conservative, and the dashboard carries over the design that debuted with the sixth generation model in 2014.
2018 F/L
2015-17
At the front, the Sonata has a new hood, headlights, bumpers, and a deeper cascading grille. The air intakes and lower section of the bumpers are more aggressively styled with LED driving lights and log lights.
2018 F/L
2015-17
At the back, the new trunk lid has a more pronounced lip spoiler built in, and there are new bumpers with lots of scalloping and aggression.
2018 F/L
2015-17
The 2018 Sonata has the company's new cascading grille, which made its debut on the i30/Elantra GT hatch. Behind the grille are some drivetrain changes for the 183kW (245hp) 2-litre turbo 4-cylinder engine, which is now paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
2018 F/L
2015-17
The new LED tail-lights are thinner and more distinctive.
2018 F/L
2015-17
Sonata is spelled out prominently across the middle of trunk between the tail-lights, and the licence plate holder has been moved to the bumper
2018 F/L
2015-17
Although the interior changes aren't dramatic, the instruments have been updated, and the blue backlighting has been changed to a more neutral white colour.
2018 F/L
2015-17
The physical controls for the audio system and air conditioning have also been redesigned with a new 'piano key' design that's raised, scalloped and finished off with a silver finish.
2018 F/L
2015-17
A 7-inch touchscreen is now standard on the 2018 facelifted Sonata, with the metal-look surround now applied to the infotainment screen rather than the surrounding air vents. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard.
