Next-gen Hyundai Sonata spotted testing near the 'Ring

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2015-...#photo-478507/

The sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata helped usher in a stylish era for the previously boring midsize sedan segment. After four years on the market, though, some of the Sonata's rivals are newer and arguably more stylish, so it's not surprising that Hyundai appears to be in the early phases of a redesign for its popular sedan.

From what we can see in these spy shots, the overall shape of the Sonata will remain the same – note the roofline and side body creases – but big changes seem to be in store for the rest of the car. If that's the real grille we see in these shots, it has grown in size and is more upright compared to today's Sonata, and it matches the six-sided design found on other current Hyundai models. Another interesting thing we notice at the front of this car is what appears to be a radar mounted behind the grille, which would suggest an adaptive cruise control system could be offered on this car. Our shooter adds that this particular car had LED headlights and taillights.

These observations would all match up with reports we heard a few months back that stated the next Sonata will get more of an evolutionary change as opposed to anything drastic. We'll take that to mean the rollcage and Recaro racing seats seen on this prototype will not be offered on the next Sonata...

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/15/n...ata-spy-shots/

 

looks good from what I see. New sonata already?

 

Well it came out as a 2010 model. If this is a 2015 that's slightly earlier than the industry average but anything to keep things fresh and updated. Lexus too is trying to shed the 6-7 year product cycle. Ford wanted to do 3 years but that's not as feasible or recommended (IMO)

 

really? I lexus trying to shed the 6-7 year product cycle when they refresh the LS twice? I thought they were doing the opposite

 

Cant believe how fast these guys are evolving. Looks great.

 

things happen. I mean the next four years will really tell us if Lexus is serious or not. Actually the RX and GX should be the first to indicate a change or not. If the 2015 RX is a full redesign then Lexus will be true to their word. With the LS, I happen to think the latest just wasn't ready hence the major/minor refresh. There must be something big on hand, and with the S-Class taking the whole segment to the next level, maybe it was necessary to push back the release to around a MY16 LS

 

http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/view?cod...Fcode%3Dnewcar

 

uh oh look out hyundai management is going to chop of the heads of all employees who have a camera for this photo leakage!!! haha


looks more like a major refresh than a complete redesign. Looks like they are making the front more snouty similar to that of the ford fusion.

this will definitely make the azera even less desirable than it already is.

 

I agree that it looks like more of a refresh than an all-new design. Interesting...

 

Leakage...

 

you kidding right? the new style looks like a bigger Sonata with that sloppy roof line. the out going version is more handsome looking imo, you can tell it's a rwd full size sedan. the new version looks like run of the mill fwd Hyundai design

 

^This is a Sonata, so it is a midsize FWD family hauler...

Perhaps you have this and the Genesis confused.

 

I can't tell their cars apart anymore. -_-

 

This would be unusual by Hyundai to just roll out a big refresh of a car that has run a full life cycle.
Hyundai has redesigned models (full blown re-inventions no less) quicker than anyone. So I'd fully expect an all new model. This doesn't look all new and is a bit disappointing.

It's completely consistent with this spy shot though....

 

looks good, the current Sonata has not aged well IMO.