Hyundai Sonata Facelift 2023 Launching Soon

22 Feb 2023

697 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata Facelift 2023 Launching Soon

When you look for a reliable D-segment/Mid-size sedan, you will find that Accord and Camry are both excellent choices. However, in Pakistan, they are only available as CBU/ Imported and come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are now some other options available in the D-segment, including the Hyundai Sonata. This model has been a top-selling global vehicle for Hyundai since its inception in 1985 and is now available in Pakistan. The viewers can get information regarding the Launching of the Hyundai Sonata Facelift.

DN8 – Current Generation & Rumors:

The Sonata, a D-segment sedan, was first introduced by Hyundai in 1985 and has become one of the company's best-selling models. In Pakistan, the Accord and Camry are only available as CBU/ Imported options, but the locally assembled Sonata has recently gained popularity, having been launched in July 2021. Despite its success in other markets, the 8th generation Sonata, with the chassis code "DN8," has faced challenges in Korea due to low sales and production slowdowns. The Covid-19 pandemic and a shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs have also impacted its sales. In the US, the 8th gen Sonata sold only 52,140 units in 2022, whereas the Camry and Accord sold almost 300,000 and 154,000 units, respectively. Despite its polarizing exterior design, the 8th gen Sonata has been well-received and has won numerous awards since its arrival.

Unofficial Reports About Hyundai Sonata

The current fate of the 8th-generation Sonata has been the subject of conflicting reports from Korea and various automotive blogs for almost a year. Initially, it was rumored that Hyundai was developing a facelift model, but later reports suggested that the mid-cycle facelift of the DN8 has been canceled, and instead, Hyundai will focus on producing the 9th generation model, which will appear sooner than the end of the DN8's life cycle. In addition, there have been rumors that the Sonata nameplate will be discontinued, and we may not see a new replacement model.

It is important to note that there has been no official statement from Hyundai regarding this matter. However, the Hyundai Group is aggressively pursuing the EV market and plans to sell 3 million units globally by 2030. As a result, this may lead to a restructuring of the current model portfolio for both Hyundai and Kia brands, which could include discontinuing slow-selling models such as the Sonata and Kia K5, which is a non-identical twin of the Sonata. It is already known that the Kia Stinger's days are numbered, while Hyundai and Kia are retooling their assembly lines for the production of award-winning EV models such as the Ioniq-5, Ioniq-6, Kia EV, and several others in the pipeline, including a 3-row SUV.

Visible Changes in New Hyundai Sonata

Some additional photos of the facelifted Sonata have recently surfaced online. Although the images are blurry and appear to have been taken during a video shoot, we can still make out some significant changes to the front fascia. The new design has replaced the previous catfish-like appearance with a more modern and simplified look. This includes a new bumper, redesigned headlights, and a slim LED bar for daytime running lights. It seems that the new Sonata has been influenced by the design of the Hyundai Staria van and the recently released Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Grandeur. Interestingly, the signature hidden DRL lighting strip extending with the hood’s profile from the current Sonata is no longer present.

Changes in Front

The upcoming Sonata facelift features a new bumper, headlights, and a slim horizontally designed LED bar as DRL. The design seems to be influenced by the recently released Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Grandeur, and the Hyundai Staria. The current Sonata's signature hidden DRL lighting strip extending with the hood's profile is no longer present.

Rear and Interior Upgrades

The sole image of the rear part of the Sonata showcases the reimagined rear taillights. Although the slim LED light bar stretching across the trunk endures, its orientation has been altered. While the side profile of the vehicle remains unaltered, the latest wheels seem to belong to the N-Line variant, which is the high-performance edition of Sonata. Unfortunately, there are no pictures or details of the interior, but considering the significant modifications to the exterior, specifically the front, we may anticipate updates to the instrument panel, and possibly a new version of the digital cluster.

Additionally, a separate series of leaked photos originating from Korea in white, silver, and gray vehicles has been made public without any covers, suggesting the direction of the redesign. Although technically, everything from the pre-facelift is anticipated to carry over.

Global Reveal & Pakistan:

At present, information regarding the facelift is limited, but Hyundai Global plans to unveil it in the coming months. The 8th generation Sonata made its global debut at the NY Auto Show in April 2019, and it's possible that the facelifted model will be showcased at the upcoming New York Auto Show in April 2023. Unfortunately, rumors of Sonata's discontinuation from the global market persist, leaving Sonata enthusiasts unsure if a new generation will ever materialize.

For Pakistan, it's unlikely that the facelifted Sonata will arrive in the country until at least a year after its global reveal. Hyundai Nishat faced criticism for launching older Elantra and Tucson models, but the introduction of the newer DN8 Sonata helped restore consumer trust and acceptance in the local company. This was made possible by low sales in Korea and North America and the early availability of CKD kits and other plant machinery.