The competition between a modern midsize sedan is so heavy that buyers are baffled on what to choose. Much more the competition sticks when it comes to a family-car sedan. Now, Hyundai introduces its 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The new vehicle breaks the mold featuring its sculpted exterior design, feature-laden cabin and three efficient yet engaging 4-cylinder engine choices. The 2013 Sonata heavily competes with Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion when it comes to the family-car sedan. The new Sonata has five seats, a complete evolution of the previous year. In addition, Sonata has gone a lot of styling prior to the buyers’ profile.
[xyz-ihs snippet="POSTADS"]For the 2013 Sonata, the vehicle receives a handful of revisions, some minimal changes with the discontinuation of the six-speed manual transmission, which leaves the six-speed automatic transmission alone as the only option. Some minor changes to note includes the addition of heated seats for Sonatas except for the GLS trim, while for the Limited trim gets additional sunroof of choices, regular or panoramic. The Sonata’s exterior design has several chrome trim pieces, starting from the wide grille going to its elongated window line, which for some hassle to look at. Its roof has been sculpted into a slope, which the gives the impression of being copied from the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and the Volkswagen CC, yet it is distinctive enough to stand high out from the crowd of the Accord and Camry. Exterior features to note are:
- Standard 16-inch steel wheels
- Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
- Available dual exhaust
- Available fog lights
The wheel and tire size varies by trim level. The most appealing look that the new Sonata has is its panoramic sunroof of the Limited.
Like its dynamic exterior design, the 2013 Sonata interior is a work of art. Following the exterior design theme, its interior design is filled with mix bold shapes, with lots of attractive blue backlighting. The inside of the Sonata also features a high tech look and some accessories such as a satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Hyundai’s BlueLink emergency communication system, and auxiliary USB inputs which are standard. Some interior features include:
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- CD stereo; choice of two optional premium stereos
- Available heated leather front and rear seats
- Available piano-black or simulated wood trim
- Available touch-screen navigation system
- Available push-button start and proximity key
Under its hood, some mechanical to feature are as follows:
- 198-hp (200 hp in SE), 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
- Four-cylinder features direct injection for better gas mileage, more power and lower emissions
- Six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the SE
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata’s safety equipment includes six airbags, the usual sprinkling of electronic safety aids and active front headrests to help reduce the severity unintentional and unexpected accidents. Also to include:
- Electronic stability system with traction control
- Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
- Optional backup camera
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The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is for those who like midsize sedans, given its generous level of standard equipment, its lengthy warranty and rising residual values, which only Sonata has to offer by far, perhaps.
Lastly its safety is award winning and in fact the first midsize family sedan to receive a 5-star crash test rating even under new, more stringent guidelines, it’s no surprise Sonata earned a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick.
