2015 Hyundai Sonata shows off at the New York auto show

Hyundai dished more details about its redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata at the New York auto show, including plans to introduce a “Sport” trim level for the U.S. market to compete with the Toyota Camry SE and Honda Accord Sport.

“We were actually able to do quite a lot,” to differentiate the sporty Sonata version and a couple more variations, said John Shon, product planning manager for Hyundai Motor America.

He talked with Autoweek at a press preview here Tuesday night ahead of official press preview days Wednesday and Thursday.

U.S. sales of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata begin by early this summer, the company said. From bottom to top, the Sonata lineup for the U.S. market looks like this:

-- SE trim resembles the Korean model of the redesigned Hyundai Sonata that was unveiled last month. It has 16-inch wheels and single exhaust.

-- The Sport 2.4L model gets a different grille, front bumper, sport side sills, dual exhaust and 17-inch wheels.

-- A Limited trim package gets a chrome grille finish, sport side sills, a rear diffuser, dual exhaust, 17-inch wheels and more interior upgrades.

-- The Sport 2.0T gets a different grille, front bumper, sport side sills, rear diffuser, quad exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, and color-contrasting stitching for leather seats, Shon said.

Jim Henry
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is less dramatic than its swoopy predecessor, borrowing lines from the larger Hyundai Genesis.

A rear deck lid spoiler and LED daytime running lights are standard equipment on all U.S. models. U.S. cars also get a lot of additional available options, like high-tech safety features including a forward collision warning system and a rear crossing traffic sensor for backing out of a parking place.

The base engine is a 2.4-liter, gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder. It generates 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. An optional turbocharged, 2.0-liter four with gasoline direct injection puts out 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said there's a strong family resemblance between the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, now in its seventh generation, and the latest 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Pricing for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata will be announced closer to launch, the company said.

By Jim Henry