Hyundai tones down the Sonata’s styling

It happens all the time. Automaker A introduces a new model featuring groundbreaking styling. But four years later, the marketers win out, forcing the styling studio to tone down the design of what was once hailed as a masterpiece. The company will sell more cars, they say.

Such is the case with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, The previous-generation car was perhaps the best example of the Korean automaker’s stylistic renaissance. Finally, after years of downright boring cars, the Sonata featured a design that was worthy of its musical name.

Leading the way was the car’s unusual wave-pattern grille that carried into the hood. It was groundbreaking, sophisticated and different enough to make the Sonata stand out in a sea of sameness. On the sides, a character line arched up from about midway up on the front wheel well, catching the door handles and continuing to the taillights. Sharp.

For 2016, the marketers convinced company leaders that a more conservative design would allow the company to sell more Sonatas. It’s still a goodlooking car, no doubt. But now it’s all but indistinguishable from several other mid-size sedans.

The new trapezoidal grille now continues into a flat, barren hood. At least Hyundai’s designers were able to save the narrow strip of chrome that runs from the headlights, to the base of the side windows.

On the sides, the character line is now a nearly straight line above the door handles.

Parked next to a current-generation Ford Fusion, the Sonata’s styling is virtually indistinguishable from the Ford. The shapes of both are virtually identical. Tall hood, greenhouse swept back, both in front and in back, short trunklid.

Copycat styling aside, the Sonata is a likable car. It’s comfortable, has a nice compromise between ride and handling and there’s plenty of room for front and rear passengers. We tested the Sonata Sport 2.0T, featuring a 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, so it had very good power.

While there’s noticeable turbo lag at lower speeds, once the turbo is spinning it has plenty of get-upand-go.

In everyday driving, particularly on the freeway, the powerful engine fades into the background. But treat it like a sports sedan and the engine shows off a sexy, raspy voice. Sport mode heightens the throttle response and quickens the six-speed automatic’s shifts. Aluminum-look steering wheel paddle shifters give the driver a bit more control, but if the computers sense that you’ve nodded off, it will revert to shifting for itself.

The seats — leather in the test car — are wide and comfortable all around. The cupholders are conveniently located and there’s space to stash travel junk. There’s even a little spot that is perfect for setting the key if you don’t like to keep it in your pocket.

The back seat has excellent knee room and good headroom. Rear-seat riders get their own vents, their own power outlet and a center armrest with cupholders.

The automatic dualzone climate control is a little difficult. While many of these systems are pretty much set and forget it, the Sonata needed adjustments, first to cool down after sitting in the sun. Once it cools down, more adjustments are needed.

Turbocharged engines are quickly replacing larger engines because they deliver impressive fuel economy numbers. The Sonata’s optional turbocharged engine is in place of a V-6 option. It’s rated at 23 mpg city and 32 highway. We saw 30 mpg, mostly on highways.

Suspension tuning has long been a sore spot for a variety of vehicles from Hyundai and sister automaker Kia, but the Sonata does well in that regard. The freeway ride is exceptionally smooth, even soaking up bumps on a section of freeway that causes issues for just about every vehicle we test. The steering is accurate and well weighted and the Sonata is willing to attack corners when asked.

About the only downside to the handling is a fair bit of torque steer caused by the powerful engine.

The Sonata SE starts at $22,585, including delivery charges. The base car comes with a 2.4-liter 178-horsepower engine. There are six trim levels including the Eco, which features a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. At the top of the lineup are the Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T, both featuring the turbocharged engine.

We tested the Sport 2.0T with a base price of $29,760. The only option was a $125 set of carpeted floormats, bringing the astested price to $29,885.

Besides the powerful engine, that price brings leather seats (heated in front), 18-inch alloy wheels with beefy 235/45 series tires, power driver’s seat, proximity key, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen and sport-tuned suspension and steering.

Maybe the criticism of the styling is unfair. After all, just about every other automaker is doing the same thing. Consider Ford, where the automaker went from the boxy firstgeneration Escape crossover to the current version that looks very similar to a Hyundai Tucson.

Instead of blaming the automakers, maybe we should look inward. Do American buyers really disdain unique styling? By voting with our wallets, are we telling automakers that they had better follow the template or suffer lackluster sales? Apparently, Powertrain: **** Interior: **** Handling: **** Styling: *** Overall: **** Good: Turbo power, excellent freeway fuel economy Bad: A bit of torque steer, automatic climate control needs too many adjustments Bottom line: Hyundai brings the styling of its midsize sedan in line with the competition Base price: $22,585 (including destination) Price as tested: $29,885 Drivetrain: 2.4-liter four cylinder, 185 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 178 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,000 rpm or 1.6-liter turbocharged four cylinder, 178 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 195 lb.-ft. torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm or 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, 245 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 260 lb.-ft. torque @ 1,350-4,000 rpm; six-speed automatic transmission or 7-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission (1.6-liter only); front-wheel drive Curb weight: 3,492 pounds Assembly: Montgomery, Alabama Hyundai is telling us we are. Hyundai just wants to maximize sales. Apparently, we’ve told them the way to do that is to minimize styling variations among competing models.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HYUNDAI