Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan built by Hyundai for the North American and Indian markets. Production started in 1989, with redesigns in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2004.

1989

The original Sonata (Y1) was part of Hyundai's expansion in North America after the success of the Excel, which had engines derived from Mitsubishi Motors units. The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The vehicle received a mid-term facelift in 1991. It replaced the Stellar for the Canadian market, since the Stellar was not sold in the United States. Some Sonatas were built in Korea, and in Bromont, Quebec, Canada.

The Sonata was a Hyundai design, but still featured some Mitsubishi engineering, including its 2.4L 110hp (82kW) I4 engine as used in American-market models. Other markets received 1.8L (95hp) and 2.0L (131hp) units. A 3.0L V6 arrived in 1990.

The US received the 2.0 L engine in 1992, replacing the original 2.4L.

1993

The redesigned Sonata (Y2) featured a more modern shape, remeniscent of the Honda Accord and especially the Mazda 626. The base US engine was a 2.0L 126hp (94kW) I4, but there was a 3.0L, 142hp V6 option in some markets. This generation continued after the demise of the Bromont, Quebec plant in 1994, and today, all Sonatas are built in Korea.

1996

A much-needed 3.0L 142hp (106kW) V6 was added for the Sonata (Y3) 1995. The four-cylinder engine was up to 137hp (102kW) that year as well. A relatively adventurous facelift for the 1996 model year saw the exterior style begin to look more upmarket, with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz styling cues in the headlight area. The rear end also began to look more upmarket—only the central section was retained. Sales were up 25% that first year.

1998

A new model came in 1998 (1999 in the US), launching the (EF) series. The styling was slightly less aggressive, and modelled more on a Hyundai show car earlier that year. This redesign kept the German influences, but bore an unintentional resemblance to the Ford Taurus as well.