2014 Hyundai Sonata gets a light refresh

Hyundai refreshed the Sonata sedan for 2014. New enhancements include a refined grille design, new wheels, HID xenon headlights and a sport tuned exhaust. The Sonata received a price bump of $155, bringing the total to $21,350.

The two four-cylinder engines continue into the new year. The base 2.4-liter makes 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine puts down 274 hp and a robust 269 lb-ft of torque. Direct injection, variable valve timing and six-speed automatics are standard across the line. The base model returns 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the turbo unit is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Inside, the Sonata gets a full-leather steering wheel for SE and Limited trims, replacing the strange three-material unit in the last car. There is a new 8-inch navigation screen and new color audio screens. SE and Limited trims feature a ventilated driver’s seat.

Hyundai spent time insulating the cabin for the new model year, upgrading the carpet insulation, adding foam in the A and B pillars, and adding another dynamic damper to quiet things down. The bigger 17- and 18-inch wheels are also said to help reduce road noise.

Hyundai is still trailing its competitors in sales. It sold about 150,000 Sonatas this year, Toyota sold more than 300,000 Camrys and Honda sold about 280,000 Accords in the same time frame.

We checked out the 2013 Sonata SE and 2013 Sonata Hybrid earlier this year; check out our reviews here and here.

By Jake Lingeman