Photo: Hyundai
Way before the Genesis came around, the peeps from Hyundai launched the Sonata mid-sized sedan. Since 1985 when it debuted in South Korea, the 30-year-old nameplate Sonata was key to the manufacturer’s growth in terms of worldwide reputation and sales.
Three years after the in-house designed Sonata was introduced, the nameplate was adapted for the North American market. Since that seminal moment for the Asian automaker, Hyundai Motor America has sold more than 2.3 million units in the US, including nearly 80,000 Hybrid models since its 2011 US introduction.
Dave Zuchowski, the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, commented: “During its 30-year history, we have been able to craft and evolve Sonata to the ever-changing needs of our customers."
"With the Sonata family growing this summer to include the all-new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, we’re expanding an already diverse lineup with something for everyone,” he added.
If you’re a Hyundai enthusiast who’s curious about what made the pre-7th-gen models so important, we’re much obliged to tell you what’s what. The first-gen from 1985 is the only Sonata that came with RWD.
From the second generation (1988) forth, front-wheel drive was employed for a simple reason: better cabin packaging. From 1993 to 1998, the third generation of the nameplate marked the trend towards adopting the digital in the detriment of analog tech. ABS and automatic side mirrors are two of the highlights.
With the fourth-generation Sonata, Hyundai started to sell the HIVEC automatic transmission-enhanced mid-size sedan on the Old Continent as well. While the fifth iteration (2004) started the modern era of the Sonata through its carefully chiseled body shell and cabin detailing, the sixth-gen (2009) was the first Sonata to employ the Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy.
Last but not least, the precursor of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid featured in the adjacent photo gallery spawned the eco-friendly trend with the 2010 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Dave Zuchowski, the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, commented: “During its 30-year history, we have been able to craft and evolve Sonata to the ever-changing needs of our customers."
"With the Sonata family growing this summer to include the all-new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, we’re expanding an already diverse lineup with something for everyone,” he added.
If you’re a Hyundai enthusiast who’s curious about what made the pre-7th-gen models so important, we’re much obliged to tell you what’s what. The first-gen from 1985 is the only Sonata that came with RWD.
From the second generation (1988) forth, front-wheel drive was employed for a simple reason: better cabin packaging. From 1993 to 1998, the third generation of the nameplate marked the trend towards adopting the digital in the detriment of analog tech. ABS and automatic side mirrors are two of the highlights.
With the fourth-generation Sonata, Hyundai started to sell the HIVEC automatic transmission-enhanced mid-size sedan on the Old Continent as well. While the fifth iteration (2004) started the modern era of the Sonata through its carefully chiseled body shell and cabin detailing, the sixth-gen (2009) was the first Sonata to employ the Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy.
Last but not least, the precursor of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid featured in the adjacent photo gallery spawned the eco-friendly trend with the 2010 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
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