2014 Hyundai Sonata: Not A Curtain Call, But An Encore

You can’t fault Hyundai for wanting to please.  On the eve of a complete redesign for the 2015 model year, the current 2014 Hyundai Sonata sedan has been given a host of upgrades intended to smooth over a few of its rough edges and make it even more competitive in a segment where practicality and price are often of greater importance than passion at buying time.  This generation of the Sonata might be nearing the end of its three year reign near the top of the mid-size market, but that doesn’t make it a bad buy.  In fact, one could credit Hyundai for forcing other family stalwarts such as the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord to raise their respective games in order to avoid being left behind by the Sonata.

The Hyundai Sonata is still an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable, and stylish daily driver.  It might no longer stand apart from a sea of dowdy rivals the way it once did, but its competition getting better hasn’t taken much, if any, of the glimmer off of the Sonata’s shine.

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Uncommonly Attractive

There was once a time when affordable four-door sedans didn’t look like agonizingly-sculpted sheet metal love-letters to the design gods, but were instead functional lumps of steel intended to unobtrusively blend-in at the mall.  The Hyundai Sonata’s evocative curves and sweeping roofline played a big part in proving that an inexpensive car didn’t have to look like a consolation prize, and that continues to be embodied by the 2014 edition, which has undergone several minor cosmetic procedures compared to the original model (particularly its new grille).  This sedan is pleasing to the eye from every angle, and it manages to do so while offering excellent visibility for the driver all around – a rarity on the modern landscape.

The interior of the Hyundai Sonata is somewhat more reserved, but no less appealing.  While I wasn’t all that impressed by the car’s plastic-looking gauge pod and basic LCD information display mounted in front of the driver, the elegant curve of its dashboard, the easy-to-use touchscreen interface for its navigation and entertainment systems (another area where the Sonata has been improved for 2014), and the spaciousness of both the front and rear accommodations were well-appreciated.  Hyundai has also made an effort to reduce road noise inside the cabin, and it shows, as the car was easily as quiet over rough roads as a Fusion or a Mazda6.

Compelling Ride

Noise wasn’t the only aspect of driving over broken pavement that was well attenuated by the 2014 Hyundai Sonata.  The sedan was also adept at eating up potholes without transmitting all that much discomfort into its cabin.  At the same time, handling for the Sonata remained composed, even when asked to corner at a rate perhaps more ‘rapid’ than ‘prudent.’  It’s not a sporty ride, but it’s one that rewards drivers with a very comfortable commute and a chassis that takes effort to upset.

The Limited trim level Sonata that I drove featured another one of the Sonata’s new-for-2014 features: the brand’s variable-effort electric power steering system.  Controlled via a button on the steering wheel, it allowed me to select between Comfort, Standard, and Sport settings.  I found Comfort to be too light for regular use, and while Sport did increase the heft of the Sonata’s rudder, there was no real pleasure to be derived from the extra exertion.  Standard mode was quite acceptable for the majority of driving scenarios.

Almost There Under The Hood

The 2014 Hyundai Sonata Limited I had the chance to pilot for a week was outfitted with the vehicle’s standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine.  This unit’s 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque were never in doubt, and acceleration from the Sonata was more than adequate and well-apportioned by its six-speed automatic transmission.  My winter fuel mileage with the car wasn’t spectacular, but came in fairly average compared to other family sedans I have put through the same cold weather torture test that is city-heavy driving.

I feel the need to qualify the Sonata’s drivetrain performance with the admission that the four-cylinder mill still isn’t as smooth as it really should be in its class.  The power is there, to be sure, but it’s of a character that’s less polished than that displayed by the entry-level engines of its competitors.  This is particularly noticeable when the Sonata is filling its lungs for a long run up to the redline.

Now And Later

There’s really no need to wait for the 2015 version of the Hyundai Sonata if you are currently shopping for a family car and like what you see in the 2014 model.  The next-generation Sonata will no doubt feature new styling and perhaps a new optional engine, but it’s not likely to stray too far from the existing sedan in terms of available equipment.  The Hyundai is convincing enough in its current form to deserve a spot on your list of ‘must drive’ vehicles before you make your final decision – and if you’re looking for something that’s almost, but not quite the same proposition in a slightly different wrapper, make sure to check out the Sonata’s platform cousin, the Kia Optima.