For the 2018 model year, Hyundai gives the Sonata a refresh that brings exterior updates and some useful new standard features. Much like the Hyundai brand itself, the Sonata sedan has undergone a slow but steady reinvention over the past couple of decades. With the earliest models, overall quality was reflective of the car's low price tag.

Since then, the Sonata has hauled itself out of the bargain bin's dusty abyss, blossoming into a capable, elegant sedan respected for providing outstanding value. Today, the Sonata has a fresh challenge to contend with: the rise of crossover SUVs. For many shoppers, the crossover has usurped the midsize sedan as the vehicle of choice for those seeking family transportation. Family sedans like the Sonata have seen sales plummet in recent years due to these shifting preferences. In response, Hyundai has come out swinging, updating the Sonata with a mid-cycle refresh designed to make the sedan sexier and more exciting.

The car's sheet metal has been spruced up, and a highlight here is a new grille that gives the Sonata a more upmarket look. And the sedan gets cabin upgrades that include a freshened center stack. There have also been changes made under the hood, designed to improve ride and handling.

Additionally, the Sonata adds standard driver-assistive features that will make the car more attractive to moms and dads with an eye for value. In many respects, this is a pleasing nip and tuck, and it succeeds in making a great car even better. But that doesn't mean the Sonata is devoid of flaws.

A stylish new grille helps give the Sonata a look that's more premium and distinctive. There's no denying the impact a vehicle's sheet metal can have on a car shopper's buying decision. As proof, just compare minivan sales versus sales figures for crossover SUVs. With their power-sliding doors, minivans are more family-friendly than crossovers, but they come with exteriors that can best be described as functional. On the other hand, many crossovers are dressed with sheet metal that looks cool and fun. With today's buyers, "cool and fun" wins by a landslide.

Thanks to its tony design cues, the refreshed Sonata packs some visual punch. A tall six-cornered grille adds sophisticated flair to the front fascia, and character lines on the hood and side panels give the car a modern, sculpted look. Squint and you could mistake this Hyundai for any number of sleek entry-level luxury sedans. With 16.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the Sonata has the utility you need for family chores. With family transportation, utility matters.

A family sedan's trunk faces untold challenges, whether it's tasked with overstuffed suitcases on a Thanksgiving road trip or sports gear for a critical Little League game. With a spacious trunk that offers 16.3 cubic feet of capacity, the Sonata has the goods to deliver solid utility. And the car's standard 60/40-split folding rear seats provide extra versatility to accommodate outsize items.

Standard blind-spot warning gives every Sonata driver equipment that facilitates safe lane changes. Blind spots can cause drivers to make unsafe lane changes, and this can lead to close calls or something far worse. For this reason, a blind-spot warning system is viewed by many car shoppers as essential equipment. In many models, blind-spot warning is offered as an expensive option, but this isn't the case with the Sonata.

This Hyundai provides both blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment. When you pair this with the sedan's affordable starting price, it's easy to see why the Sonata represents good value. The Sonata offers engine choices that provide excellent fuel economy. Family cars typically spend ample time on the road. They tend to rack up lots of miles, whether it's from shorter daily commutes or lengthy cross-country road trips.



The Sonata comes with engine choices that offer superb mileage, and this can make your travels more affordable. With its available 1.6-liter engine, the Sonata achieves EPA-rated fuel economy of 28/37 mpg city/highway. There's also a traditional hybrid variant that gets mileage of up to 40/46 mpg. And for maximum green points, the Sonata offers a plug-in hybrid that gets mileage of 99 MPGe. Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring is standard on the 2018 Sonata.