New Hyundai Sonata on target for Australia 

Hyundai Australia is now taking expressions of interest via its public website for the eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata, two variants of which will become available here in the second half of this year.

The first of them will be powered by a circa-142kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, which will likely open the range.

Then comes the sportier, range-topping Hyundai Sonata N Line, which will launch alongside entry-level models later this year – earlier than the 2021 ETA previously advised.

Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm what will power its first Sonata N Line, although as we’ve previously reported it won’t be the same 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that powers the brand’s potent i30 N hot hatch.

Instead, US reports suggest it will offer around 216kW/420Nm from a new turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

N-Line variants will also benefit from unique interior and exterior designs and bespoke local suspension tuning – like all Hyundai models sold in Australia.

The new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid could also be on the cards for Australia, although the brand’s local firm remains tight-lipped on that possibility.

The petrol-electric Sonata adds a solar roof to the 2020 model’s list of new technologies, which will comprise Hyundai’s SmartSense driver assistance technology, a 10.25-inch multimedia screen and a huge 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster.

A smart boot lid, 360-degree monitor, head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane follow assist and safety exit assist will also be available on the new Sonata.

And, in a first for Hyundai, a Blindspot View Monitor will display a camera image in the instrument cluster screen when the indicators are on, similar to the system already offered in several Honda models.