Report: Hyundai Sonata is On the Way Out
The Hyundai Sonata, the venerable mid-sized sedan from South Korea, may be nearing the end of its production run soon.
Citing lackluster sales, a polarizing design, and a commitment to producing more EVs, South Korean automaker Hyundai is reportedly on the verge of pulling the plug on its 37-year-old sedan which has seen more than 9 million units sold worldwide.
From a peak in 2014 at 216,936 units sold in the U.S., Sonata only found 83,434 American buyers in 2021.
The ninth iteration of the famed mid-sized sedan was predicted to arrive for the 2025 model year, but automotive industry sources indicate that Hyundai will be axing its’ venerable sedan in favor of smaller, more EV-focused vehicles moving forward.
Hyundai is already ramping down production of the sedan, with its assembly lines being converted to use for producing EVs, according to reports, and plans to become an electric-only vehicle producer by 2040.
According to Chosun Ilbo, an ‘inside source’ is quoted as saying “We can’t rule out an electric Sonata, but we’re prioritizing the development of a compact electric car rather than a less popular midsize vehicle.”
A facelift may be on the way for the current Sonata, which would go a ways toward helping with the current polarizing design, which may be contributing to the Sonata’s downward trajectory in sales, but the entire segment is generally in freefall now as well.
Kia, Hyundai’s sibling company, has also announced it plans to shelve the Stinger, with the end of Q2 this year being the target date for that to happen.
[Image: Hyundai]
More by Steven Tobin
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Actually, the drop in Sonata sales in Korea played a larger part in the decision to discontinue it. It wasn't all bad for the Sonata here - it actually had the highest ATP in its segment even before the hybrid and N-Line launched.
Competing head on with Camry and Accord, like competing with Google in internet search, has to rate among the least forgiving ways to try making a living. "Everyone" eventually ends up casting about for absolutely any other, viable or not, niche instead. Just to get some, even if only temporary, respite.
I actually *like* the new Sonata. But Hyundai and Kia products have not been kind to my family, so, whether it continued or not, it and its badge brethren would be categorically excluded from any future considerations.
2015 hyundai sonata sport 2.4l rod bearing and cylinder 1 with no warning on the highway so you tell me hyundai,now I need a motor but they lost my car at hyundai of bedford ohio usa. My car was built in Alabama by 14 and 15 yr olds!