Hyundai Reveals Sonata, Elantra for 2024

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

In a rare double feature, Hyundai threw the covers off a pair of updates today instead of choosing to drag the news cycle out over a couple of weeks. Even more rare? The rigs in question are both sedans.


This is good news in a world where companies have been quick to ditch their car lines (ahem, Ford) in favor of SUVs and crossovers.


First up is the Sonata, receiving the Robocop headlight treatment (technically called the ‘Seamless Horizon Lamp’) which has appeared on other machines such as the next Kona. The rear changes less dramatically but now adopts a variant of the H-pattern which is also working its way across the lineup. Big news also shows up in the form of all-wheel drive, functioning under the HTRAC banner and now available on Sonata sedans equipped with the 2.5-liter engine.

Speaking of motivation, power choices include a gasoline-powered 2.5L mill, a 2.5L turbo, and a 2.0L hybrid. Specs are not listed yet for ’24 but in other years those first two engines made 191 and 290 horses, respectively, while the hybrid was good for a system output of 192 ponies. Alert readers will notice no mention of the 180-horsepower 1.6L turbo for the upcoming year. Inside, we note a typically clean horizontal style found in most of today’s cars from this brand, along with an Ioniq-esque gear selector relocated to the steering column. Also, the ‘H’ badge has vanished from the steering wheel.

A size smaller, the 2024 Elantra now has a slightly less alarming maw, with a new two-piece grille broken up by a color-keyed spear. There are also changes to the front fender shape, wheel designs, and sundry trim. Side airbags are now on board for rear seat passengers, there’s a new instrument cluster design, more USB outlets, a better wireless charging pad, and a vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. As with other years, there are again a yaffle of engines including a brace of turbos and a 1.6L hybrid electric. Those looking for grins need to check out the N, rated last year at a stout 276 horsepower.

Why is Hyundai shoveling money into the four-door game? According to the company, our market snapped up nearly 3 million sedans across all brands in the last year. We suggest there’s still a good appetite for this segment and have long felt some manufacturers gave it up for dead far too quickly.


[Images: Hyundai]


Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 28 comments
  • Chiefmonkey Chiefmonkey on Aug 31, 2023

    I don't know who these cars are for but not me. I'm all in favor of sedans but prefer those that don't look like they were designed by aliens in outer space!

  • Bd2 Bd2 on Aug 31, 2023

    Much needed improvement up front for the Sonata (improvement not as drastic for the Elantra) and good to see AWD being added, altho wish it had been for something other than the NA 2.5L.


    The Sonata could use the new hybrid and PHEV powertrains that are in development, but guess those will have to wait for the next gen Sonata - that is, if there is one.


    Interesting to note that despite having been canceled in NA, the Grandeur (aka Azera), which is now larger and more premium than the Lexus ES, is safe because sales are gangbusters in Korea (over 100k/yr).


    • Aquaticko Aquaticko on Sep 01, 2023

      In conjunction with that, Sonata sales in Korea appear to have cratered, but then I know it has the whole ajeossi vibe working against it, adventurous styling of this gen be damned. Until we start taxing vehicles appropriately over here--by weight, for starters--I don't think we're going to see any significant revival in the non-crossover/SUV/pickup market.


  • Jonathan IMO the hatchback sedans like the Audi A5 Sportback, the Kia Stinger, and the already gone Buick Sportback are the answer to SUVs. The A5 and the AWD version of the Stinger being the better overall option IMO. I drive the A5, and love the depth and size of the trunk space as well as the low lift over. I've yet to find anything I need to carry that I can't, although I admit I don't carry things like drywall, building materials, etc. However, add in the fun to drive handling characteristics, there's almost no SUV that compares.
  • C-b65792653 I'm starting to wonder about Elon....again!!I see a parallel with Henry Ford who was the wealthiest industrialist at one time. Henry went off on a tangent with the peace ship for WWI, Ford TriMotor, invasive social engineering, etc. Once the economy went bad, the focus fell back to cars. Elon became one of the wealthiest industrialist in the 21st century. Then he went off with the space venture, boring holes in the ground venture, "X" (formerly Twitter), etc, etc, etc. Once Tesla hit a plateau and he realized his EVs were a commodity, he too is focused on his primary money making machine. Yet, I feel Elon is over reacting. Down sizing is the nature of the beast in the auto industry; you can't get around that. But hacking the Super Charger division is like cutting off your own leg. IIRC, GM and Ford were scheduled to sign on to the exclusive Tesla charging format. That would have doubled or tripled his charging opportunity. I wonder what those at the Renaissance Center and the Glass House are thinking now. As alluded to, there's blood in the water and other charging companies will fill the void. I believe other nations have standardized EV charging (EU & China). Elon had the chance to have his charging system as the default in North America. Now, he's dropped the ball. He's lost considerable influence on what the standardized format will eventually be. Tremendous opportunity lost. 🚗🚗🚗
  • Tassos I never used winter tires, and the last two decades I am driving almost only rear wheel drive cars, half of them in MI. I always bought all season tires for them, but the diff between touring and non touring flavors never came up. Does it make even the smallest bit of difference? (I will not read the lengthy article because I believe it does not).
  • Lou_BC ???
  • Lou_BC Mustang sedan? 4 doors? A quarterhorse?Ford nomenclature will become:F Series - Pickups Raptor - performance division Bronco - 4x4 SUV/CUVExplorer - police fleetsMustang- cars
Next