Hyundai is still evolving after 30 years

The Sonata made its debut in 1985 in Korea, and has played a pivotal role in Hyundai’s growth and reputation, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where it was launched in 1988, and by April 2015 it had registered sales of some 314 181 units in this region alone.

In total, it has recorded sales of over 7,3 million units globally since its introduction 30 years ago, ensuring its place as a family sedan much loved by customers all around the world. During its 30-year history, the Sonata has been constantly reinvented with a fresh new look and innovative technologies to ensure each generation is the leader in the class.

Said James Kim, vice-president and head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East: “Since 1988, this iconic model has been a huge factor in Hyundai’s growth not only in Africa and the Middle East but around the world, this is thanks to the constant reinvention of the model which has ensured that it has continued to stay ahead of competitor models and at the forefront of our customer’s minds.”

The latest, all-new Sonata stays true to Hyundai’s acclaimed “Modern Premium” brand direction. It is the second model that have been designed using Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 philosophy, boasting dramatic looks and a design concept that focuses on “inner force”, a theme that points to evolved aesthetics and confident perfection.

History of the Sonata
The 1st generation Sonata (1985) was one of the first models designed with Hyundai Motor’s in-house capabilities. The 1st Generation Sonata began the legacy of Sonata by exceeding one million unit sales in Korea by a single model name for the first time.

The 2nd Generation Sonata (1989) employed a front-wheel drive system. As Korea’s first independently designed model, it departed from the angular design and adopted a curvy aerodynamic design. The facelift, launched in 1991, was the first model to be badged with a revised Hyundai Motor logo.
The 1990s saw the world turn digital, and the Sonata was no exception. The 3rd Generation Sonata (1993) enjoyed a great boost in popularity due to many advanced features, including automated side mirrors and ABS.

The 4th Generation Sonata was launched in 1998. The mid-sized sedan was equipped with an internally developed engine and Hyundai Intelligent Vehicle Electronic Control (Hivec) transmission. It became the highest scoring mid-sized sedan in the 2004 JD Power Initial Quality Survey in the US.
The 5th Generation Sonata (2004) was developed to achieve the goal of becoming a world-class car.

The 6th Generation Sonata (2009) offered a bold and unique design, powerful engine and solid performance became one of the Hyundai Motor’s most recognisable models. In addition, the Sonata Hybrid was introduced in 2010. The All-new Sonata, 7th Generation (2014), a truly pioneering mid-sized sedan in terms of both design and performance.

Every detail has been upgraded to perfection and various design elements have been balanced to embrace consistency to achieve the “essential qualities” of an automobile. This Sonata impressed customers with superb drivability, safety and emotional satisfaction, as well as advanced features.