The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has been revealed in Australian spec and pricing and will go on-sale here later this month.

THE 2018 HYUNDAI SONATA has been heavily revised over its predecessor, not the least in the looks department, launches here this month (stay tuned for our first drive impression early next week) and is priced from $30,990+ORC. The new Sonata will only be available in two trim levels, Active and Premium with the only extra cost option on both models being ‘premium’ paint at $595. Both engine variants will be offered with fixed price servicing at between $265-$365 per service running across five years.

The keen-eyed will notice the Elite has been pulled from the line-up. Key changes over the old model are the inclusion of standard sat-nav as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity via an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, push button start, hands free boot opening, Premium adds LED headlights, wireless phone charging and driver attention alert.

The new-look Sonata was styled at the brand’s Californian design studio and, from the front, bears a strong resemblance to the i30 because of the addition of the brand’s new cascading grille. Head of Hyundai’s US design team, Chris Chapman said, “It’s all about making an impact. “We wanted to deliver an exciting, expressive car to our customers and show the world how passionate Hyundai is about design and craftsmanship. This design provides the visual excitement and unique identity our customers associate with Sonata”.

The entry-level Sonata continues the old car’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine while the Premium gets a new 2.0-litre tubocharged four-cylinder petrol making 180kW and 353Nm of torque. Both engines are mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission and drink between 8.3-8.5L/100km on the combined cycle.

Like other Hyundais, the new Sonata was tweaked by the brand’s local engineering team to give Australian cars a bespoke suspension and steering tune.

The new Sonata gets as standard, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Rear-view Camera with dynamic guide lines and four-sensor rear Park Assist System (PAS). While the Sonata Premium adds Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and four-sensor front Park Assist System.

Practical Motoring will have a full first drive and associated videos online early next week.