Hyundai is betting on a return to recognition of the sedan because it launches refreshed variations of its Sonata and Elantra fashions, providing new styling for each and optionally available all-wheel drive for the primary time on Sonata.
“Regardless of contractions over the previous few years, the compact sedan phase stays vital from a quantity perspective,” mentioned Steve Flamand, government director of product and company technique at Hyundai Auto Canada. “Though the segments have decreased in absolute dimension in recent times, they continue to be related for our clients and current a considerable alternative for Hyundai to ship dependable, well-equipped and trendy choices for purchasers,” he mentioned through the Aug. 30 digital launch of the 2024 variations of the 2 sedans.
Added Jon Simmons, senior group supervisor for Hyundai Motor America, “The rumours of sedans going away are removed from true.”
In response to the automaker, U.S. gross sales of the outgoing Elantra and Sonata fashions rose 53 per cent and 39 per cent respectively, through the first half of 2023. José Muñoz, president of Hyundai Motor Group, mentioned Elantra accounted for one-fifth of Hyundai gross sales in the US, when the market as a complete bought nearly three million sedans.
In Canada, gross sales of the Elantra and Sonata fell 22 per cent and 36 per cent respectively through the first seven months of the 12 months, in accordance with the Automotive Information Analysis and Information Heart. Hyundai Canada mentioned provide was hampered by points at Canadian ports, particularly a labour dispute affecting the Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports.
Mike Evanoff, product planner for Hyundai Motor America, mentioned that as consumers search improved gas economic system and higher dealing with, sedans match the invoice. He additionally expects extra sedan consumers as kids of the SUV era change into first-time consumers.
“We predict younger consumers, who grew up with SUVs enter the market, trying to do one thing totally different, will look to sedans,” he mentioned. “With the opposite producers transferring away from sedans, we expect this provides us a chance.”
For each fashions, the announcement quantities to a mid-cycle refresh. Elantra will get new 15, 16, 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, thinner LED daytime working lights and three new colors: ecotronic grey, final pink and unique inexperienced. Inside, there are new comfortable contact surfaces for entrance door panels, new color selections, a brand new 4.2-inch instrument cluster on Important and Most popular trims and a redesigned wi-fi charging pad.
Sonata’s enhancements are extra intensive, together with the addition of optionally available all-wheel drive, a extra aggressive design with improved aerodynamics in addition to a 24-inch vast panoramic show panel that integrates the instrument panel and infotainment display in a single.
Pricing has not been introduced. Elantra must be in dealerships within the fall whereas Sonata goes on sale this coming winter.