We've seen this scenario play out before: an auto maker follows up a successful model with a next-generation version that is a stylistic dud. Hyundai is facing this problem with their new Sonata, which hasn't followed up the success of the prior generation, known for the bold design statement it made upon its introduction in 2010.
While 2014 sales of the Sonata were up 6.5 percent over 2013, they were at their lowest level since the car's wide release in 2011. In an interview with Ward's Auto, Hyundai CEO Dave Zuchowski said that the car would be redesigned in 2017 for its mid-cycle refresh.
Our sources at Hyundai report that Hyundai Motor America pushed hard for a bolder design during the development of the next-gen Sonata, but Hyundai's Korean HQ had already made up their minds about a more buttoned-down look for the new car. The Hyundai Sonata Sport was supposed to be a compromise between the two entities, but it looks as if Hyundai America will be getting their way – though at the cost of two years in the marketplace. According to Zuchowski, the tooling won't be ready until then – perhaps because Hyundai doesn't consider it to be as urgent a problem as Honda did with the Civic.
The post Hyundai Sonata Does Its (2012) Civic Duty appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
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