2015 Hyundai Sonata gets $300 price drop

The redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata will start at $21,960 for the base model including destination. The Sport 2.0T trim with the turbo engine costs $29,385. That's a $300 price drop from last year's model.

Power is down a tick for both versions of the Sonata. The direct-injection 2.4-liter now makes 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Last year's base model made 190 hp. As for the turbocharged model, it now delivers 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That's down from 274 hp and 269 lb-ft. Normally we would whine about this all the way to the dealership, but the last turbo Sonata was comically fast.

Both engines feature Hyundai's new Electronic Intake Continuously Variable Valve Timing or E-CVVT, which improves performance in low temperatures and reduces emissions.

Hyundai says the new look of the sheetmetal follows its Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language and features a stiffer body structure, better ride quality and reduced noise and vibration.

The 2015 Sonata gets a bunch of safety features including seven airbags, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

The 2015 Sonata goes on sale later this month.

By Jake Lingeman