Hyundai recently rolled out its updated 2024 Hyundai Sonata, and while it wasn’t a complete redesign, its interior received a significant amount of love, with an upscale look that could easily be confused for a European sedan. Speaking of sedans, Hyundai is one of only a handful of companies that still invests in them, and the midsize Sonata is proof of that continued commitment, improving on the already impressive current generation, which launched in 2019.
We spent a couple of weeks driving the Sonata in part to get an up close and personal look at just how much has changed inside, and we came away impressed by the cabin’s new digs, which are all-new from the B pillar forward, according to Hyundai.
Dual-Screen Setup
Like several other, mostly upscale brands (notably Mercedes-Benz, who pioneered the setup), Hyundai has moved to a dual-screen approach for the Sonata. It combines a 12.3-inch driver’s display with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen under a single curved panel. It makes both screens look bigger than they are, its curvature helps reduce reflections, and it just plain looks cool. The Sonata and the Kona are the first Hyundais to get this curved display, and the experience is fantastic, especially so for these more mainstream models.
Both screens have great resolution, displaying pristine navigation and graphics, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless. We had a couple of hiccups with CarPlay where the screen went dark for a few seconds before coming alive again. This happened twice during the two weeks we had it, and the screen picked up exactly where it left off, playing the same song and following the navigation we had going when this happened.
The driver’s instrument display also has modern graphics and is a big update over the 2023 Sonata. Our N-Line test vehicle featured red needles for the speedo and the tach, which are unique to the model.
Good Looks
Hyundai’s interior stylists spent a ton of time and detail work making Sonata N-Line a plush place, starting with the red theme seen throughout the cabin. Besides the red needles for the speedo and tach, red trim runs along the air vents across the dashboard, and the same red trim encircles the push-button start. As is common for performance-oriented models, the N-Line has red stitching throughout the cabin, embellishing the seats, door panels, steering wheel, and dashboard.
Besides the red details and dual-screen setup, the Sonata’s modern look continues to the heating/cooling controls, which receive their own touchscreen with two big knobs that control the cabin’s climate. There is also a volume knob, a tuning knob, and redundant physical buttons for the infotainment screen.
As part of the new changes, the shifter has moved to the steering column, freeing up a lot of space in the center console. Now, the cupholders can accommodate larger water bottles, and the driver gets a more comfortable armrest. Gone is the push-button shifter the Sonata has had since 2019.
Spacious and Comfortable
The 2024 Sonata didn’t receive any changes to its dimensions, but it’s still a decently sized sedan with room for five passengers (four adults can travel comfortably). Hip and shoulder room are decent for rear passengers, and headroom isn’t an issue, even for folks taller than 6 feet.
The Sonata was also quiet inside, with wind and tire noise under control at highway speeds, even in the sporty N-Line model we tested. The N-Line comes with specific seats that have more lateral support than other Sonata trims and are adorned with N badges on the backrests. They also feature red accents and stitching that match the model’s appeal.
