Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.

next-gen Hyundai Sonata (revealed)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-27-09, 09:26 AM
  #1  
Gojirra99
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Gojirra99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 30,054
Received 189 Likes on 130 Posts
Post next-gen Hyundai Sonata (revealed)



We've already seen the exterior pics of the next Hyundai Sonata, and though the mule was well disguised, it had attractive proportions. What those images didn't reveal was the new Sonata's cabin, but a new spy shot shows a nearly production-ready interior.

The first thing that caught our eye in the Sonata interior is the dual cockpit design, giving the driver and front passenger their own living quarters. There also appears to be a smattering of high quality materials, which makes sense given the highly competitive nature of the mid-size segment. Though the steering wheel is partially blocking the center stack, it appears that Hyundai is taking a page out of the Volvo playbook by using similar HVAC controls. Volvo uses the silhouette of a seated occupant in button form, making it easy to choose hot or cold air to the floor, dash, or windshield. The new Sonata steering wheel looks positively hideous in the spy photo, but we're guessing that it's unfinished and won't look this unpolished in production form.

The Hyundai Sonata may still be a way from production, but the increased amount of spy photos surfacing tells us that this Hyundai is rapidly approaching its debut. At any rate, the Sonata is looking more impressive with each pic, and the final product looks like a lock to be a vast improvement over an already decent mid-size sedan.
More Spy Pics HERE
.
Gojirra99 is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 10:01 AM
  #2  
GSteg
Rookie
iTrader: (15)
 
GSteg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 16,017
Likes: 0
Received 78 Likes on 60 Posts
Default

Hopefully the final product will be better looking. The steering wheel looks very cheap.
GSteg is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 10:43 AM
  #3  
dunnojack
Lexus Fanatic
 
dunnojack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: californication
Posts: 6,806
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

hyundai is trying to build a cheaper lexus than lexus can.

this thing almost has the shape of an ES. cept its roof is rounder, and rear headroom is prob compromised
dunnojack is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 10:47 AM
  #4  
kit cat
Moderator
iTrader: (6)
 
kit cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: US
Posts: 6,571
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

volvo like HVAC and Toyota like shift gate...like the genesis looks nice, but nothing new.
kit cat is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 11:32 AM
  #5  
speedflex
Lexus Champion
 
speedflex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MO
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

We're looking at an unfinished test mule. The question is not whether this will measure up to a Lexus but how it will against the class leaders in the segment; Camry/Accord/Altima. I think this car will give them all cause for concern.
speedflex is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 11:38 AM
  #6  
GS3Tek
Moderator
iTrader: (8)
 
GS3Tek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: so cal
Posts: 12,358
Received 163 Likes on 124 Posts
Default

them cupholders are deep
GS3Tek is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 01:00 PM
  #7  
Hoovey689
Moderator
iTrader: (16)
 
Hoovey689's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: California
Posts: 42,283
Received 122 Likes on 82 Posts
Default

The gauges look like they were taken straight from a Mazda
Hoovey689 is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 01:46 PM
  #8  
Nextourer
Lexus Champion
 
Nextourer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: none
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Nice flowing design. The HVAC kinda looks like one from Volvo!
Nextourer is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 01:53 PM
  #9  
Kaydee
Hacked CL to become a Mod
 
Kaydee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Vancouver >> Hong Kong
Posts: 6,713
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

the finish is just terrible...takes a whole new meaning to plasticky cheapness
Kaydee is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 02:04 PM
  #10  
Threxx
Lexus Champion
 
Threxx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

That steering wheel/airbag cover is obviously not what's going in the production vehicle... replace that with something more normal looking and the fit and look of the interior becomes very good.

When is this car supposed to be coming out?
Threxx is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 02:05 PM
  #11  
IS350jet
Pole Position
 
IS350jet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Coral Springs, Fl
Posts: 2,882
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Anybody seen these?



Last edited by Gojirra99; 07-08-09 at 07:47 AM.
IS350jet is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 02:06 PM
  #12  
dunnojack
Lexus Fanatic
 
dunnojack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: californication
Posts: 6,806
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Kaydee
the finish is just terrible...takes a whole new meaning to plasticky cheapness

it's not final

prototypes always have hard plastic
dunnojack is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 02:58 PM
  #13  
speedflex
Lexus Champion
 
speedflex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MO
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by IS350jet
Anybody seen these?


I saw these a while back and they seem to be pretty reasonable ideas of what the final car will look like. Quite VW CC in the profile. If it is then, as I said, this be a whole order of magnitude sexier than it's market counterparts as they look today.

But Hyundai is still a bit too Pacific rim generic overall. They need to incorporate original styling cues that will make other car makers want to copy them instead of the other way around.

Last edited by Gojirra99; 07-08-09 at 07:47 AM.
speedflex is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 03:25 PM
  #14  
PAULGS430
Lexus Test Driver
 
PAULGS430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: PA-near Philly
Posts: 971
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default


Alright Hyundai! About time you came out with a nice design. Very nice.
They now have to improve their dealer sales & service dept.

Looks like Hyundai beat Toyota to the next gen. Camry. lol...
I know VW thinks Toyota is the co. to beat. I would bet Toyota is looking over it's shoulder at Hyundai. Always checking to see what their doing.

Last edited by PAULGS430; 05-06-09 at 07:13 AM.
PAULGS430 is offline  
Old 04-27-09, 03:35 PM
  #15  
FKL
Lexus Test Driver
 
FKL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Holy CC! Looks good though!
FKL is offline  


Quick Reply: next-gen Hyundai Sonata (revealed)



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:17 PM.