8th Generation Hyundai Sonata debuts in Malaysia

All-new Hyundai Sonata features new Smartstream G2.5 Powertrain

The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata is now in Malaysia. The saloon is the first model in Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language. It is also the first model to be built on Hyundai Motor’s third-generation platform. The new platform offers flexibility in future development, especially in collision safety. The Sonata looks like a four-door coupé.

The new Smartstream engine is an all-aluminium, 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated engine with multi-point injection. It produces 180bhp and 232Nm of torque at 4000rpm. There is a six-speed automatic transmission. The gear selection is controlled by a new electronic shift-by-wire selector.

The Hyundai Sonata features a new wide grille design, the Digital Pulse Cascading Grille, that spans the front of the car, from headlamp to headlamp, underscored by a chrome strip. There are chrome highlights that run from front to rear of the car and new hidden lighting lamps that look like chrome strips when not lit.

Sporty details on the Hyundai Sonata include a trunk spoiler, black side skirts, and new design 18-inch rims.

The rear lights have a long horizontal LED strip that runs between the brake lights. The light pattern makes the Hyundai Sonata very distinctive when lit.

An optional panoramic sunroof tops the “Beautifully Smart” themed interior. There is leather upholstery and ambient mood lighting, a slim dashboard with a first-in-class, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, customisable according to different driving modes and preferences. The instrument panel design was inspired by stealth aircraft. The shift-by-wire gear selector is sleek and takes up less space than a traditional gear selector.

There are satin chrome accents on the dash. At the centre a large, eight-inch HD screen enables occupants to interact easily with the audio-video and navigation (AVN) functions. The screen also has a split-screen function that allows audio and navigation to be displayed at the same time.

The new Hyundai Sonata has a wide range of active and passive safety technologies. These are

• six airbags
• Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Brake Assist System (BAS)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)

Additional safety features are Blind-Spot View Monitor and Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) which scans for vehicles entering your blind spot and gives audible and visual alerts. Surround View Monitor offers a bird’s-eye view of the car’s exterior. This makes parking and getting out of tight parking spaces more convenient.

New advanced comfort and convenience features in the Hyundai Sonata are:

• Head-up display
• a panoramic sunroof
• electric parking brake
• smart trunk
• wireless smartphone charging pad with cooling fan
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• split-folding rear seats

The all-new Hyundai Sonata comes in a choice six exterior colours:

• White Cream
• Shimmering Silver
• Nocturne Grey
• Oxford Blue
• Midnight Black
• Flame Red

The Oxford Blue and Flame Red cars have a black leather interior. Shimmering Silver has Greige two-tone leather interior. White Cream, Nocturne Grey and Midnight Black cars have Camel two-tone leather interior.

The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata Smartstream G2.5 is in showrooms now at RM206,888. The first 50 units of the Hyundai Sonata are available at a special price of RM189,888.