- Hyundai is reportedly working on a ninth-gen Sonata sedan.
- Styling said to blend Art of Steel and 1980s Sonata inspiration.
- Gas-only engines will be dropped in favor of hybrid options.
The sedan market, especially in the mainstream segments, isn’t what it once was, but it’s not dead yet, and Hyundai seems determined to keep it that way.
Despite previous speculation that the Sonata might be phased out in favor of the more compact and affordable Elantra, new reports out of South Korea suggest Hyundai is actively developing a ninth-generation version of its long-running midsize sedan.
Read: 2026 Hyundai Nexo FCEV Is A Hydrogen SUV That Makes Sense
Rather than abandoning the nameplate, Hyundai appears ready to steer it in a new direction. According to reports, the next Sonata will look both forward and backward, adopting the ‘Art of Steel’ design language seen on the upcoming Hyundai Nexo, while also reaching into the archives for inspiration from the very first-generation Sonata from the mid-1980s.
Looking at its past could be a wise move for Hyundai. The current eighth generation Sonata has been criticized by some for its odd-ball design since it was introduced in 2019. Hyundai updated and thoroughly refreshed it in 2023, but it remains polarizing.
A Return to Sharp Angles
Don’t expect a full-on retro revival, though. If the report is true, the next Sonata is more likely to blend futuristic styling with nods to its past, much like Hyundai did with the Ioniq 5 and the N Vision 74 concept coupe. Both borrowed lines from the 1970s Pony, particularly the angular Pony Coupe penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, without veering into full nostalgia.
In the Sonata’s case, that could translate to a more squared-off silhouette with sharper contours. The Korean Car Blog suggests the next-generation model may channel the boxy geometry of the original car, updated with modern surfacing.
One detail being floated is a continuous black body line that wraps around the car’s exterior, a visual signature that could help it stand out in a shrinking segment.
No More Gas-Only Option
As for power, the model will reportedly drop the option of a pure-ICE, instead only being sold as a traditional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in select markets. There’s no word on whether Hyundai would develop new hybrid and PHEV systems for the Sonata, or if it’d borrow technology from existing models.
Read: Hyundai’s Coming For The Toyota 4Runner And Tacoma, But That’s Only The Start
Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to include a sportier option. The current Sonata N Line, with its 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, remains a performance outlier in the midsize category.
Matching or exceeding those figures with an electrified setup could help Hyundai retain enthusiasts as it transitions the lineup.
Sonata’s Having a Bad Year in America
Sales, meanwhile, continue to trend downward. In the States, Sonata deliveries have dropped 12 percent year-over-year, falling from 61,701 units sold between January and November in 2024 to 54,238 over the same period this year.
November was particularly bleak, with sales sliding 42 percent to just over 4,000 cars. Hyundai will be banking on the next generation to give the nameplate new life
Source: The Korean Car Blog
