The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size sedan built by Hyundai for the North American market. Production started in 1989, with redesigns in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2004.
1989
The original Sonata was part of Hyundai's expansion in North America after the success of the Excel, which had engines derived from Mitsubishi Motors units. The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The vehicle received a mid-term facelift in 1991.
The Sonata was a Hyundai design, but still featured some Mitsubishi engineering, including its 2.4 L 110 hp (82 kW) I4 engine as used in US-market models. [1] Other markets received 1.8 L (95 hp) and 2.0 L (131 hp) units. A 3.0 L V6 arrived in 1990.
The US received the two-litre unit in 1992, replacing the original 2.4 L.
1993
The redesigned Sonata featured a more modern shape, remeniscent of the Honda Accord and especially the Mazda 626. The base US engine was a 2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) I4, but there was a 3·0 L, 142 hp V6 option in some markets.
1996
A much-needed 3.0 L 142 hp (106 kW) V6 was added for 1995. The four was up to 137 hp (102 kW) that year as well. A relatively adventurous facelift for the 1996 model year saw the exterior style begin to look more upmarket, with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz styling cues in the headlight area. The rear end also began to look more upmarket—only the central section was retained. Sales were up 25% that first year.
1998
A new model came in 1998 (1999 in the US), launching the EF series. The styling was slightly less aggressive, and modelled more on a Hyundai show car earlier that year. This redesign kept the German influences, but bore an unintentional resemblance to the Ford Taurus as well.
Engines were a 1.8 L 134 PS, 2.0 L 149 PS, 2.4 L 149 hp (111 kW) I4 and an impressive 2.5 L 170 hp (127 kW) V6. A special 10-year warranty, along with even more upscale touches and a still-low price, boosted volume considerably in the US.
2000
A very Mercedes-Benz E-Class look was added to the old underpinnings for 2000, the new model débuting in the US market for the 2002 model year. The V6 was now up to 2.7 L but output remained at 170 hp (127 kW). Sales reached 104,000 for 2004.
The Kia Optima (called the Magentis in parts of Europe) was based on the platform of this generation of Sonata and shared its doors and some other panels.
2004
A more robust Sonata was launched in 2004, with styling cues from numerous similarly sized cars, such as the Honda Accord, Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat.
Engine choices at launch were a 2.0 L 16-valve I4, powered by either petrol or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a 2.4 L 16-valve, and a 3.3 L 24-valve V6.
The latest update will bring production to Montgomery, Alabama for the US models, which will launch for the 2006 model year. Hyundai is expected to continue to try beat the mainstream competition on both luxury and value.
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