Hyundai i40 / Sonata launches

The new Sonata / i40 has launched in Korea

The Sonata – which will be the Hyundai i40 in Europe – is yet another very convincing new model from the Koreans. Gone is the very boring old Sonata and in comes the very European style i40. It is a somewhat derivative design – from the  ’Coupe Saloon’ school of design – but that’s a positive for a budget car maker like Hyundai. To bring to the market something that could wear a premium badge and not look out of place is a huge leap forward.

The interior of the has also been refined to fit in with the classy exterior, and boasts a contemporary design with high quality materials – much in line with the ix35 that launched at Frankfurt this week.

The new i40/Sonata grows in size from the outgoing model but, due to the coupe design, actually stands a little lower. It offers a high standard of kit including Vehicle Dynamic Control with Hill Assist, Panoramic Roof and Parking Guide System.

Engines on offer in Korea include a 2.0 litre petrol Theta II with 165bhp and an LPG version with 144bhp. But when the Sonata becomes the Hyundai i40 in Europe expect a choice of diesel engines.

Another big leap forward for Hyundai.

By Cars UK