2012 Hyundai Sonata facelift unveiled

2012 Hyundai Sonata facelift - low res - 20.7.2011

Minor tweaks for a popular model

Hyundai has quietly unveiled the 2012 Sonata facelift in South Korea.

Virtually indistinguishable from the current model, the car features a revised grille, restyled mirrors, LED taillights and new 18-inch alloy wheels. Interior changes are also minor, but include higher quality materials, revised trim and a cooled glovebox.

In Korea, the 165 hp (123 kW / 167 PS) 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine carries over but the 2.4-liter unit has been replaced by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter with 271 (202 kW / 275 PS).

Source: Hyundai via Carscoop

Hyundai CEO confirms next-generation Sonata for 2014
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FredoTuning

new engine line up sounds cool

July 20, 2011 4:47 pm

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Han Solo

Brilliant Side profile...superb rear end...magnigicent interior. But the Front Fascia is totally screwed...IMO. I think the headlights are too weird looking...I think its non-identical Twin Kia Optima looks much better.

July 20, 2011 4:56 pm

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porschecarreragtmay6

Am I the only one who thinks the current generation Sonata is one of the ugliest cars in existence? Actually nearly all of Hyundai's new cars are hideous. The designs are way too busy and already all look outdated. The only car I like is the Elantra Touring (a properly good looking car). I'm glad it hasn't yet been infected by Hyundai's disgusting new design language.

July 20, 2011 7:21 pm

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DdW

My friend, I think it is good that Hyundai is trying something funky than remaining bland (i.e. Toyota). It goes to show that they are willing to challenge the convention should it be necessary. Brand-wise, it is a good move. Although I agree with you that the designers has taken some details to the extreme.

July 20, 2011 7:35 pm

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PAA

Well said from both of you guys. Yes I find the Sonata too busy but its nice to see them trying the extra bit. If they brought out another "expected" design nobody would give them attention. What they failed at, was a decent name. I don't like it that this car relates to the Sonata of the past which was crap.

July 20, 2011 8:10 pm

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schizo

I agree with all of you. I live in Seoul so I see these cars ALOT. They look rather reptilian and insect like. They are too busy style-wise for sure. The reason for the early change in the face was because alot of the buyers thought it was too extreme as well. The sales have slipped down considerably. That and the fact the K5 is better looking and the entry level Grandeur(Azera) is a little bit more than a loaded Sonata didn't help either. So they decided to tone down the design a little bit to spark sales.

July 20, 2011 10:48 pm

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Han Solo

I also think the Front End looks bad... But to be fair to Hyundai...the car does have abeautiful side profile and rear end. Even the interior looks really nice and comfy...kind of similar to the VW Passat CC...I think Peter Schreyer had something to do with this.... Change the Front Fascia, Front Fenders and the Headlights and this car is a Killer.

July 21, 2011 12:24 am

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termigni

I LOVE the front. this car is just an AWESOME mid-sized family sedan. good job Hyundai for pushing the limits.

July 21, 2011 3:48 am

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cata

damn! is this hyundai funclub? there are 10 years now since on the streets in my country hyundai sonata was quite a common car. I myself found that design good enough. Now there`s none! I haven`t even seen the current model. And I travel a lot (arround Europe)! But that`s no wonder when you see how the car looks....ssssoooooo overdone! And I tried to find something nice about it, I read the comments above and looked at the photos and all I can say is ....yeaks! to bad for those engines!

July 21, 2011 9:07 am

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zot959

This car looks almost exactly like the old model. This car is different, but its not a good design. I dislike Hyundai's design language. Kia does a much better job, but that's to be expected when Kia has a former Audi designer as design chief.Toyota may be boring but this is not better.Hyundai seems to be trying a little too hard if you ask me.

July 21, 2011 10:35 am

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napoleon4208

At least they are trying something.. And I do think the car looks interesting without prejudice

July 22, 2011 12:16 am

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