NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: 2018 Hyundai Sonata Series II

The Hyundai Sonata "Series II" could be as melodic as its name in the eyes of buyers, particularly if the Australian operation gets its way with a sporty new flagship model.

Premiering a sharp new exterior design at its North American debut during the 2017 New York motor show, the Series II Sonata will arrive in Australia around August 2017.

Its objective will be to dethrone the likes of the Mazda6 and upcoming European-sourced 2018 Holden Commodore as the most popular family sedan in the country.

Expected to be priced between $30,000 and $45,000 as is presently the case, the facelifted Hyundai Sonata Series II brings premium visuals and equipment to the table, via a striking new front and rear exterior design.

All Sonata Series II models feature new-look headlights and a premium front fascia with restyled grille, and a redesigned rear-end with brake lights inspired by luxury sister brand, Genesis.

Although the current engines will be carried over unchanged (2.4 non-turbo and 2.0 turbo), Hyundai Australia wants to offer a hero model with an athletic body kit based on its range-topping 2.0-litre turbo-petrol models… although it's unlikely the Korean brand's 'N' high performance badge will be used at this stage.

Hyundai Austraila's PR manager Guido Schenken told motoring.com.au the Sonata Series II will be an important model for the Australia market, despite the segment's declining sales.

"We're keen to secure the sports styling package for the Sonata which will match perfectly with the high-performance 2.0-litre turbo engine.

"Although it's not our volume-seller, the Sonata model is still important to Hyundai in Australia as our flagship sedan," observed Schenken.

The sporty 2.0-litre turbo Sonata models will be paired to a new-to-Sonata eight-speed automatic transmission which will improve fuel economy if not acceleration. The turbo four-cylinder engine develops 180kW and 350Nm of power and torque.

It will also get a new flat-bottom steering wheel and several sporty interior upgrades, tipped to include upgraded sports seats, alloy pedals, bold highlights and luxury dashboard trimmings.

Entry-level models will be powered by a 2.4-litre non-turbo engine (138kW/241Nm) and all models will benefit from new infotainment systems. The crux of this will be a new 8.0-inch touchscreen display that comes satellite-navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality once a smartphone is plugged in – firsts for Sonata.

The Sonata Series II cabin has been given a premium upgrade elsewhere too, including re-sculpted heating, cooling and audio controls, with "piano key" buttons.

Active safety features including automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning with lane keep assist may also be offered, depending on the model grade.

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata Series II will carry over its suspension and chassis settings from the current model, which are unique to Australia following local tuning. They were developed over four months of testing Down Under, over 100,000km.

You can read about what we thought of the local tuning in our 2016 Hyundai Sonata review.