Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Latest 2011 Hyundai Sonata Spy Shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
What you're gawking at appear to be the first undisguised images of Hyundai's forthcoming Sonata sedan caught by the folks at Hyundai Blog during what appears to be a photo shoot (check out the interior cutaway above), likely in its home market of Korea (check out the badging on the decklid).
If only in looks and not in price, the 2011 Sonata appears to be making a concerted move for the premium end of the midsize swimming pool, what with its more rakish roofline and expressive design. We've heard for some time that the Sonata was to gain a four-door coupe profile and more assertive fascias front and rear, and these dark, grainy photos cinch those details for us, although the car's aesthetics don't appear to be so radical as to be off-putting or even terribly divisive. Without looking too hard, we can see little bits of various competitors in the model's design, but overall the Sonata still manages to look quite fresh.
We'll have to wait until we see the car in the metal for ourselves to pass judgment (or at least get a gander at a few higher-quality photographs - especially a dead-on profile), but thus far, we continued to be encouraged why what we see. Check out the not-so-high-res images in the small gallery below.
Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Hyundai Sonata
[Source: Hyundai Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Farmboy 1:29PM (8/21/2009)
Not sure what to think of this one. I want to like it, but I can't. Just doesn't seem right.
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Other Man 1:56PM (8/21/2009)
Yeah the front is questionable at first, but I accepted it within minutes here.
I think the back end and interior is excellent.
garlinski 1:58PM (8/21/2009)
Hopefully the chromed looking Venza-like grille stays in Korea... like the tailend though
PJ 2:29PM (8/21/2009)
What rubs me the wrong way is the very Elantra-like proportioning. It's egg-shaped--lots of overhang, lots of tuckunder, and tall bodysides that remove any hint of an aggressive stance.
That's a gorgeous interior for a $25K car, though.
Alex 2:33PM (8/21/2009)
It's like...I can't truly decide whether I like it or not. Someday I'll be ready to come out of this Hyundai closet I'm in -Anonymous
Not THAT Matt 2:56PM (8/21/2009)
I think it looks pretty good - the headlights are a bit long for my tastes (as in, twice as long as they would have to be to look normal), but I think in general it looks pretty tasteful. Nice looking interior, too, something definately not new to Hyundai though.
Farmboy 3:10PM (8/21/2009)
I think it is the Venza-like grille that does it. Not a fan of the Venza. It looks bad. This looks better, but not convincing. The rear-end makes me think Camry a bit, but better. The interior is incredible. It looks spacious and a tight-fit finish.
the4thheat 6:26PM (8/21/2009)
I see so many Toyota/Lexus cues in this car's-I think I would have assumed it's a Toyota if it didn't have the H on the front. There seems to be a lot of Lexus ES influence in this both front and back, and obviously the Venza-esque grille.
I really do hope they swap the grille out though because that's probably the one part of the Venza's design I utterly hated.
Oh well, although the rear end isn't the most original it does start to give some family resemblances between the Sonata and Genesis...even if both tails seem a little too familiar.
leunamme 7:00PM (8/21/2009)
I think the front on its own looks great. Its modern but simple, the reason why we don't get it yet. It should age well. The rear is sexy and so is the interior.
The issue comes in that the proportions, like PJ said, are a bit off. The seems too grandiose to fit the side profile. I don't know, I'll have to see the car in person to make a final judgement, but personally, minus the proportions, the style is sexy.
bwzd7p2 9:38PM (8/22/2009)
OK, everyone saying Venza-looking grille just stop it. This is an evolution of the 2008 KDM grille, which was out well before the Venza. See it here in this commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwnFO3nQk5U
And in this used car ad:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/106855105/HYUNDAI_NF_Sonata_2008_Used_Car/showimage.html
Patrick 1:30PM (8/21/2009)
Looks like a last gen Solara.
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futurama 1:35PM (8/21/2009)
yeah.. has hint of fugly solara's front end, simple graphic wise - how the hood character line encloses the grill and headlight that stretches rearward and follows the hood shutline.
however, overall it's a very different design other than that. solara failed. this? will have to see it in person.
gefinley 1:46PM (8/21/2009)
That was my first thought upon seeing the picture before I had read the headline. Way too similar for my tastes.
gefinley 5:22PM (8/21/2009)
Oh look, the Hyundai brown-nosers are back out rating down anyone who thinks one of their cars looks like something else.
Bob-omb 3:17AM (8/22/2009)
Maybe because it's getting f$@%ing old, gefinley.
bwzd7p2 9:14PM (8/24/2009)
Oh yeah, speaking of cars that have headlights (front turn-signal, really) pulled way up and back in the fenders, there was one that came out two years before the current Camry Solara:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:02-05_Hyundai_Sonata_.jpg
Tell me again who copied who, please?
futurama 1:31PM (8/21/2009)
wow.. the front is aggressive as hell for a midsize sedan. rear end is quite 'sexy'. interior is very upscale looking...
this time around, it seems Accord and Camry should really be worried.
very impressive at first site. will have to wait for the details and personal experience.
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futurama 1:32PM (8/21/2009)
sight =p
Luis 3:10PM (8/21/2009)
Yup, same comments we've heard everytime a new "breakout" midsize sedan comes out. The only time that was true was 1986 with the Taurus. I've heard the same thing for all the rest, and it never happens. And it won't with this.
Past two generations of Malibu come to mind. Taurus. Last Sonata. Mazda 626/6, Galant (when Mitsu was still a sorta-player). Rags all said "Camry and Accord better watch out".
YAWN.
fmwso 6:43PM (8/21/2009)
I agree with you, the interior is really nice and stylish, looks like Hyunday are stepping up each time they release a new car. I like the front and rear as well.