Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Sonata going four-door coupe route

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai

Click above for high-res gallery of next-gen Hyundai Sonata pics

With the Genesis Sedan and Coupe both finally on sale, Hyundai has a moment to breathe. OK, done. Back to work. Next up is a complete redesign of the Hyundai Sonata, which is one the South Korean brand's big sellers that competes in a very crowded, competitive segment against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion, among others.

The next Sonata will be a total rethinking of the mid-size sedan's packaging. Based on these spy shots taken while a prototype was out testing on what appears to be a frozen lake, we can clearly see that the profile of the next Sonata will move farther towards the four-door coupe end of the spectrum where vehicles like the Volkswagen CC live. The severely sloping roof line now meets the trunk lid much farther back leaving just a short length of rear deck lid. Overall, it appears as if the next Sonata will be a larger, yet much more visually interesting vehicle than the one it replaces. The only question is, where does that leave the Azera?

Gallery: Next-gen Hyundai Sonata - spy shots



[Source: KGP Photogrpahy]
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Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Sonata going four-door coupe route originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[Mark_888]

Hyundai will continue with the Azera, with possibly some increased marketing. Expect to see a mild refresh for 2011 model.

Can't comment on this photo specifically, but general comments from Hyundai are that Sonata spy photos are not perfect, but in the ballpark

 

[Michael_S]

The four wheel coupe Volkswagen CC is a gorgeous car - but it looks like head room is terrible.
That's the same problem - arguably the only real problem - Chrysler has with the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. The low roof gives the car stunning styling, but you lose visibility and head room.

I sincerely hope Hyundai can find a useful compromise between sleek styling and comfort.

I also hope the next generation of the Azera and Sonata can join the Genesis as crash safety all stars. Just one more way to make people think twice about spending extra on a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or Volkswagen.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

The four wheel coupe Volkswagen CC is a gorgeous car - but it looks like head room is terrible.
That's the same problem - arguably the only real problem - Chrysler has with the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. The low roof gives the car stunning styling, but you lose visibility and head room.

I sincerely hope Hyundai can find a useful compromise between sleek styling and comfort.

I also hope the next generation of the Azera and Sonata can join the Genesis as crash safety all stars. Just one more way to make people think twice about spending extra on a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or Volkswagen.

At 6'1", the headroom in the CC was just fine, plenty of clearance too. But that was as a driver... not sure a backseat passenger would agree. Otoh, perhaps as a family car with kids in the back it wouldn't matter as much?
(The CC was my alternate choice to the Gen.)
As for the Azera, with only 290 or so sold in January maybe it will be dropped. Maybe the Feb. #s due today will offer a clue...

 

[Mark_888]

As for the Azera, with only 290 or so sold in January maybe it will be dropped. Maybe the Feb. #s due today will offer a clue...

Only 322 Azera sold in Feb (616 YTD).

As I posted above, the "official" word is that Hyundai will continue with the Azera, with possibly some increased marketing. Expect to see a mild refresh for 2011 model. Beyond that, can't say what will happen to Azera. It may depend on Genesis pricing in the future (which some think is being priced artificially low for initial model).

 

[Michael_S]

At 6'1", the headroom in the CC was just fine, plenty of clearance too. But that was as a driver... not sure a backseat passenger would agree. Otoh, perhaps as a family car with kids in the back it wouldn't matter as much?
(The CC was my alternate choice to the Gen.)
As for the Azera, with only 290 or so sold in January maybe it will be dropped. Maybe the Feb. #s due today will offer a clue...

It depends upon the age of the family. I like plenty of room, and head room, in the back seat so that I can get in there to strap the toddler into the car seat. So even if I don't spend much time sitting in the back, a lack of head room is a problem for me. If I was buying the car after my youngest child was old enough to strap themselves into their seat, it would not be a problem.

It's a shame the Azera isn't doing better. From what I've read here and elsewhere, people who actually own one are generally pleased with it. I sat in one at a dealership, and thought it was pretty nice. But in my humble opinion the exterior styling isn't as nice as the Sonata, the crash safety is good (IIHS Good front/Acceptable side/Acceptable rear, 4/4/5/5 from the US government) but not great, and from reviews the handling is excessively soft.