Hyundai Reveals Sonata, Elantra for 2024

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

In a rare double feature, Hyundai threw the covers off a pair of updates today instead of choosing to drag the news cycle out over a couple of weeks. Even more rare? The rigs in question are both sedans.


This is good news in a world where companies have been quick to ditch their car lines (ahem, Ford) in favor of SUVs and crossovers.


First up is the Sonata, receiving the Robocop headlight treatment (technically called the ‘Seamless Horizon Lamp’) which has appeared on other machines such as the next Kona. The rear changes less dramatically but now adopts a variant of the H-pattern which is also working its way across the lineup. Big news also shows up in the form of all-wheel drive, functioning under the HTRAC banner and now available on Sonata sedans equipped with the 2.5-liter engine.

Speaking of motivation, power choices include a gasoline-powered 2.5L mill, a 2.5L turbo, and a 2.0L hybrid. Specs are not listed yet for ’24 but in other years those first two engines made 191 and 290 horses, respectively, while the hybrid was good for a system output of 192 ponies. Alert readers will notice no mention of the 180-horsepower 1.6L turbo for the upcoming year. Inside, we note a typically clean horizontal style found in most of today’s cars from this brand, along with an Ioniq-esque gear selector relocated to the steering column. Also, the ‘H’ badge has vanished from the steering wheel.

A size smaller, the 2024 Elantra now has a slightly less alarming maw, with a new two-piece grille broken up by a color-keyed spear. There are also changes to the front fender shape, wheel designs, and sundry trim. Side airbags are now on board for rear seat passengers, there’s a new instrument cluster design, more USB outlets, a better wireless charging pad, and a vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. As with other years, there are again a yaffle of engines including a brace of turbos and a 1.6L hybrid electric. Those looking for grins need to check out the N, rated last year at a stout 276 horsepower.

Why is Hyundai shoveling money into the four-door game? According to the company, our market snapped up nearly 3 million sedans across all brands in the last year. We suggest there’s still a good appetite for this segment and have long felt some manufacturers gave it up for dead far too quickly.


[Images: Hyundai]


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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Chiefmonkey Chiefmonkey on Aug 31, 2023

    I don't know who these cars are for but not me. I'm all in favor of sedans but prefer those that don't look like they were designed by aliens in outer space!

  • Bd2 Bd2 on Aug 31, 2023

    Much needed improvement up front for the Sonata (improvement not as drastic for the Elantra) and good to see AWD being added, altho wish it had been for something other than the NA 2.5L.


    The Sonata could use the new hybrid and PHEV powertrains that are in development, but guess those will have to wait for the next gen Sonata - that is, if there is one.


    Interesting to note that despite having been canceled in NA, the Grandeur (aka Azera), which is now larger and more premium than the Lexus ES, is safe because sales are gangbusters in Korea (over 100k/yr).


    • Aquaticko Aquaticko on Sep 01, 2023

      In conjunction with that, Sonata sales in Korea appear to have cratered, but then I know it has the whole ajeossi vibe working against it, adventurous styling of this gen be damned. Until we start taxing vehicles appropriately over here--by weight, for starters--I don't think we're going to see any significant revival in the non-crossover/SUV/pickup market.


  • Tassos ELON ONCE HELPED ME WITH MY COMEDY SCRIPT. WE DID GHB TOGETHER. I STAYED FOR A FEW DAYS AND FED HIS CAT ON DAY 3.
  • Medfordjim my daily driver is a 2008 Sable Premier black/black. Only 48K miles - it was my mom's Sunday car. It's got the Sync system with bluetooth. It works pretty well but will occasionally not pair when the car starts, and then it seems to take 5-10 minutes before it will rescan and find my phone.Otherwise, the only recurring issue is the solenoids that control the HVAC - I just replaced the passenger side one. I think the drivers side one failed a couple of times. Thankfully mom had the extended warranty because that side is a b*tch to fix.
  • Tassos When these were new I was still driving my DEATH TRAP TIN CAN 1991 CIVIC. It was already PAST its expiration date but any extra funds I had were going to REMEDIATING my Eastern Europe bare land purchase and trying to avoid FORECLOSURE on my Midwest shack. I wouldn’t make it out of POVERTY for another 10 years (INHERITANCES REALLY HELPED THERE). Now I am rich TASSOS driving diesel Mercedes through Eastern Europe countryside and bustling Midwest suburb.
  • Proud2BUnion I've always been a fan of the Taurus/Sable, and Husker Du!
  • Irvingklaws 2005 Honda Accord at about 125k miles - oil change, replace bad starter (also intake gasket), front and rear brakes, state inspection, about $1200 at a local garage. Front brakes were replaced free under warrantee because they were done last year. 2015 Mazda CX-5 with 102k - Took to dealer to diagnose "clunk" on takeoff and transmission slow to engage. After pointing out an apparent transmission leak and that nearly every bushing/boot under the car is cracked and/or failing in their inspection video, service techs said everything "looked safe". They tightened the cowl bolts in an (unsuccessful) attempt to address the clunk, completely side-stepped the transmission leak ("...it's a sealed unit, we can't touch it except to replace it entirely...") and charged me $450. About $33k to replace it with a new '24 Forester. Will be working on diagnosing and reconditioning the Mazda myself in the coming days...🙂
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