}} Hyundai commenced development of the
YF Sonata in 2005, with a development cost of ₩450 billion (US$372 million). In the Australian, New Zealand, Singapore, and Colombian markets, the
YF is retailed under the name
Hyundai i45, following the alphanumeric
i-series nomenclature established by Hyundai in these markets. The vehicle was badged as a "Sonata" in Eastern Europe, just as in North America and South Korea. Sales of the
YF Sonata in South Korea began on 2 September 2009, before the production vehicle's South Korean launch. The US version of the sixth generation Sonata was unveiled at the
2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, with sales beginning in 2010 for the 2011 model year. The Sonata was the second vehicle, after the
Tucson, to carry Hyundai's then-radical "Fluidic Sculpture" design language. For the US market, the sixth generation Sonata boasted a direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This new engine improves fuel economy and produces a maximum of at 6300 rpm and at 4250 rpm. It is part of the Theta II engine lineup. Furthermore, a timing chain was introduced along with a new six-speed automatic transmission. This Sonata is built with hot-stamped ultra high-strength steel. In South Korea, the
YF Sonata is delivered with a 2.0-liter
Theta II MPi gasoline engine (Max output , Max torque of 20.2 kg·m). Its fuel economy has improved 11%. A direct-injection 2.4-liter four cylinder engine and a 2.0 turbocharged engine was available. Exclusive options for the Korean model includes a three-piece panoramic moonroof,
electroluminescent instrumentation, fender-mounted turn signals, and a special Premier Beige model. Upgraded audio uses a
JBL system, and certain navigation packages come with a telecommunications system with Hyundai's Mozen system. For the North American model, GLS, SE, and Limited trims were offered. A six-speed manual transmission came standard on the GLS, and a six-speed automatic is available. Differences with the Korean model include differences with the GLS model, which features a body-colored grille and door handles, and different steel wheel covers. Limited models and optional stereos on the GLS and SE now have "Dimension" audio systems, and the Limited trim has an optional
Infinity stereo. Limited models have standard front and rear heated seats, the first such offering in this segment. Additional differences include different cupholders, a redesigned straight leather shifter as rather than the gated one on Korean models, and an additional exterior color choice, Indigo Blue Pearl. The 6th generation Sonata was awarded Top Safety Pick from
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States. The Sonata 2.0T was released in December 2010. For the 2012 model year, Hyundai's new Blue Link system was offered as standard equipment, and the Limited model included a new standard three-piece panoramic sunroof. SE models had an optional backup camera included with navigation packages, and navigation systems included a new 7-inch display from the previous 6.5-inch. For 2013, the list of standard features was changed slightly, including heated front seats on SE models, and heated rear seats on Limited models. An automatic transmission also came standard on GLS models, the manual was no longer offered. The GLS Popular Equipment Package now included fog lights and heated front seats. The Limited trims now no longer included the panoramic sunroof, but instead included a standard size sunroof. A panoramic sunroof offered on the Limited Premium Package. In January 2013 the i45 was discontinued in Australia following slow sales and limited supplies. In turn, the expanded i40 range filled the gap left by the i45. The i45 has also been discontinued in Colombia, and replaced with the smaller i40 sedan, leaving Singapore and New Zealand as the only two markets still selling the vehicle under the i45 name at that time.
Facelift (2012–2014) In 2012, the Korean-produced Sonata received a mild mid-life facelift. Exterior changes include a new grille, slimmer LED mirror indicators, new front fog lights incorporating LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), new alloy wheel designs, as well as redesigned LED taillights. Interior changes include a new color touchscreen display for audio systems (on certain models), as well as redesigned dual-zone automatic climate controls, which now incorporate a small
liquid-crystal display. A Driver Selectable Steering Mode was standard on all trims. Front parking sensors are now available on certain models, as well as an electronic parking brake. The facelifted model was first released in Korea in 2012, followed by international markets in early 2013. North American produced Sonatas received a facelift in late 2013, for the 2014 model year.
Safety Top Safety Pick Award in
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests • Frontal impact crash test: "Good" • Side impact crash test: "Good" • Rear crash protection: "Good" • Roof strength evaluation: "Good"
Later release (manufactured on or after 2 July 2010) version of Model Year 2011: by the U.S.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under 2010 new test rules The 2011 Sonata is one of six vehicles rated Five Star under new rules as of November 2010. • Overall Frontal Rating: • Frontal Rating (Driver): • Frontal Rating (Passenger): • Side Overall Rating (Front): • Side Overall Rating (Rear): • Side Barrier Rating (Front): • Side Barrier Rating (Rear): • Side Pole Rating (Driver): • Rollover:
Early release (manufactured before 2 July 2010) version of model year 2011: • Overall Frontal Rating: • Frontal Rating (Driver): • Frontal Rating (Passenger): • Side Overall Rating (Front): • Side Overall Rating (Rear): • Side Barrier Rating (Front): • Side Barrier Rating (Rear): • Side Pole Rating (Driver): • Rollover:
Australasian NCAP – The Hyundai Sonata scored the highest possible rating of 5 stars
Korean NCAP – The Hyundai Sonata scored the highest possible ratings across the frontal, offset and side crash tests
China NCAP – The Hyundai Sonata scored the highest possible rating of 6 stars
Sonata Hybrid At the
2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled the Hyundai Blue Drive powertrain for the then next generation Sonata, which uses
lithium polymer battery technology. It was reported to be based on Hyundai BLUE-DRIVE concept. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sales in the U.S. began near the end of February 2011. The Sonata Hybrid
drivetrain combines a 2.4-liter engine with six-speed
automatic transmission, and a 30 kW
electric motor and lightweight
lithium polymer batteries to produce a full
gasoline-electric hybrid with in the city and on the highway. This powertrain is shared with the 2011
Kia Optima Hybrid; and 2013 Sonata Hybrid.
Overview The 2013 Sonata Hybrid has noticeable improvements and has ranked 3rd out of 20 Affordable Midsize Cars (based on U.S. News' analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives as well as their analysis of reliability and safety data). The 2013 hybrid has a long warranty and a spacious, high-quality interior. Its base price ranges from $26,445–$31,324 and weights 3450–3550 pounds. As a hybrid, it emits 0.51 pounds of per mile and has an EPA fuel economy ratings of 36/40 mpg city/highway. Cumulative sales of the Sonata Hybrid in the U.S. reached 7,906 units through July 2011, representing 20 percent of Sonata sales at the time, according to Hyundai. The Sonata Hybrid was the number two selling hybrid since June, outsold only by the Prius. Considering cumulative sales in the U.S. market through December 2011, with 19,672 units sold, the Sonata Hybrid and the
Kia Optima Hybrid together ranked second in
hybrid sales for calendar year 2011, after the
Toyota Prius, and surpassed the
Honda Insight in September.
Specifications It comes with a 35 kW electric motor (up from 30) and a lithium-polymer battery that is 38 percent larger and more energy dense. The newer electric motor can run up to , meaning that it can run on electricity at higher speeds, saving more fuel. It also retains the 2.4-liter, multi-port fuel injected, four-cylinder engine, which uses a modified
Atkinson cycle achieved via
VVT and a
compression ratio of 13:1. Upgraded computer programming smooths the transitions between gas and electric power modes. The hybrid's time decreased from 9.5 to 8.1 seconds (note: the non-hybrid Sonata's time is 7.9). All turbo models get standard dual zone climate control, steering wheel paddle shifters, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, and 18-inch wheels that are shared with the non-turbo SE models. Limited 2.0T models receive all of these options as well as a heated leather interior, sunroof and other features. == Seventh generation (LF; 2014) ==