2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T First Drive

2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T w/ the 245 hp and 260 lb-ft. of torque 2.0L GDI-T mated to an all-new and smooth shifting 8-speed AT - $33,460 to start incl. mats and the $885 D&H charge.
2018 Hyundai Sonata Pricing
Trim, Engine and Transmission - MSRP/+/- compared to 2017 MSRP ($USD)
SE w/ the 2.4L GDI I4 and 6-Speed AT - $22,050/+$100
Eco w/ the 1.6L Turbo GDI I4 and 7-Speed Dual Clutch AT - $22,650/-$475
SEL w/ the 2.4L GDI I4 and 6-Speed AT - $23,700/NA
Limited w/ the 2.4L GDI I4 and 6-Speed AT - $27,400/+$250
Sport w/ the 2.4L GDI I4 and 6-Speed AT - $25,200/+$800
Sport 2.0T w/ the 2.0L Turbo GDI I4 and 8-Speed AT - $27,600/+$1,000
Limited 2.0T w/ the 2.0L Turbo GDI I4 and 8-Speed AT - $32,450/-$1,900
Freight charge for the 2018 Sonata is $885.
The SE and ECO trims have no Option packages available.
The SEL's Tech pkg. ($1,000) adds the following:
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/ Pedestrian Detection
Lane Keep Assist systems (LKA)
Smart Cruise Control w/ Start/Stop
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) w/ Auto Vehicle Hold
The Limited’s Ultimate Package ($2,900) adds the following:
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/ Pedestrian Detection
Lane Keep Assist systems (LKAS)
Smart Cruise Control w/ Start/Stop
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) w/ Auto Vehicle Hold
Automatic high beam assist
Rear parking assistance system
Navigation system with 8-inch color touchscreen
HERE HD Traffic (Real-time traffic service)
Infinity premium audio system (400-watt)
SiriusXM Travel Link (Complimentary Trial)
Wireless phone charging
Heated steering wheel
Rear side window sunshades
Blue Link Guidance Package (3-Year Complimentary Trial)
Owners are provided with a midsize that is larger than some full-size cars - 106.1 and 16.3 cu.ft. of passenger/cargo volume - for less than midsize segment pricing while offering owners a 23/32 mpg city/highway rating.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all Sonata's. Moving to the higher end trims with FCW and the Radar CC system, the Hyundai system is about as good as Audi's in terms of lower accel/decel G forces when setup with its softest setting.
The new steering system - stiffer shafts - and retuned suspension is slightly better but nothing anyone will concern themselves with. I did not feel much difference in body roll or ride compliance over the 17 with the new rear arms and bushings.
As an update, the all-new 2018 Sonata has earned both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention and dynamic bending headlights and a NHTSA 5-star Crash Test Rating.
If there was a car I was tasked to drive 100k miles in just 6-months, the refreshed 2018 Hyundai Sonata would be that car. That is saying something.

[@ArcadianGenesis]

The interior is excellent. I tested a Volkswagen GTI recently, and its interior looks very similar, except with red stitching instead of blue.

[@CleanMPG]

ArcadianGnesis, I like the 18 Sonata interior as well. The piano key like chrome switches help a lot too.

[@yasaraljaafar1319]

ArcadianGenesis o

[@CleanMPG]

Hi All: I added the IIHS TSP+ and NHTSA 5-Star crash test ratings results to the description.

[@dylanw9412]

I'm from Chicago and was literally in La Jolla a few days ago! What are the odds!? Great review by the way! Keep it up!

[@CleanMPG]

Thank you Dylan! If you have to complete a car video review for KZbin, La Jolla is not a bad place to do it from. I hope you enjoyed your time out here as well. :)

[@dylanw9412]

CleanMPG couldn't really think of a better place myself! And I loved California. It was my first time there... Already planning our next trip! Haha! Liked and subbed by the way!

[@usfanlovesjiwoo1978]

Very attractive vehicle.

[@garrettmcginnis9873]

Wayne, your driving skills to eke out maximum mpg are fascinating to me. Every time you get a new vehicle to test out, you should record yourself driving them while you explain what you're doing to get the maximum mileage. Thanks!

[@johanneskgafela7661]

Sonata is taking the war to the so called German Cars. Just needs to keep the Moon Roof as another option

[@fykon7516]

Did they improve on Sound System I feel like it needs a sub in the back like every other car

[@sportsMike87]

Looks way better then current model

[@CleanMPG]

sportsMike87, indeed. The cascading grille on the Limited and Sport is the attraction, the flat rear trunk face is a plus, and the updated interior is a help.

[@robertsanchez7185]

NICE "FIRST DRIVE"

[@alexander2685]

ty sir🤗

[@user-jo4or3ye9w]

Прямой закос под Камри)

[@stevencorbo1220]

Well I can say I like this better than the Limited but it still doesn't have the panoramic sunroof it still doesn't have the dual exhaust

[@stevieg3078]

A very tough choice. The Sonata has the adequate turbo 4 w 8speed paddles, ventilated seats and a killer stereo. The Camry has the v6 with excellent acceleration, the pano sun roof & 19" tires. I can't decide.

[@CleanMPG]

Stevie G, the 18 Sonata also has great discounts whereas the 18 Camry has more efficiency.

[@stevencorbo1220]

So I can say I like this model better than I like the limited model but I still don't like that they got rid of the panoramic sunroof still haven't seen enough the video to know if they have the dual exhaust like the 260 horsepower but don't like the small sunroof I like the honeycomb Grill in some ways this car seems I downgrade though from the 2015 mix

[@wgolden3437]

245 horsepower, 260 torque!

[@CleanMPG]

Omar, yup. Did you see the hood during that section of the video? Dummy Me. :)

[@afrocat3974]

how much does it weight?

[@CleanMPG]

Opus, SE and SEL weighs 3,250 lbs and 3,311 lbs respectively. The Sport and Limited weights have not been released yet.

[@ronnymb67]

The steering wheel isn't new. My 2015 Sport 2.0T Limited has it. I'm still torn on the looks. The front is growing on me. But the rear... While I do like the cleaner look if the trunk, so far I have mistaken the new one for a Malibu 4 times from the rear, especially in lighter colors like silver and white.

[@CleanMPG]

Ron, this is the first time the "non-Sport" Limited - as driven - received the D-wheel. Our 17 Limited does not have the D-Wheel either.

[@ronnymb67]

CleanMPG Ah ok. Did not know that.

[@ronnymb67]

Probably because they no longer offer the Sport in Limited trim.

[@stevencorbo1220]

I see it as a downgrade from my 2015 I have pockets on the back of both of my seats and leather behind the seat not too hard plastic because I've got the letter pocket

[@keino111689]

Did they discontinue the panoramic roof?

[@CleanMPG]

Protostar, from all the spec pages and the Limited trims we drove, they did.

[@JWC777]

PROTOSTAR they got rid of the pana roof to make he cabin noise quieter

[@dougn2350]

Actually the pano roof is back now. Not sure what the delay was about. But I've seen several Limited and top Sport models with pano sunroof

[@Hersses-tech]

I guess the sonata put different paint job in the 2018 I bought the 2017 and they have very thin coat my car is already chip and is only 20 days old.

[@CleanMPG]

Ariam, I am sorry to hear that. Our 2017 Sonata Hybrid Limited has perfect paint after almost a year and 18,000 miles. I say almost because of my wife's propensity to catch the edge of the two car garage when she enters and exits leaving small scrapes on all four corners. I am pissed about her parking skills but she drives it and you should never complain bout the bosses driving skills. :)

[@annmariejoly7933]

I had to trade my 2017 for a 2018...the white pearl was literally PEELING right off! I hope my 2018 limited white doesn't do this...🙄

[@Blakesignon1998]

No moonroof?

[@CleanMPG]

CB S98 , Limiteds have sun roofs. No panoramic however.

[@JohnFT3414]

The TREBLE control on the radio doesn't work AT ALL ON ALL 2018 Sonata Limited 2.0T models! I hope Infinity and Hyundai fix this real soon! The slider for the TREBLE works, but it doesn't change the sound at all like it should! WHERE IS THE QUALITY CONTROL AT INFINITY? I want the TREBLE control in my 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T to work! The BASS and MIDRANGE controls work as they should, but the MIDRANGE frequency should be higher (say 3kHz), it is too low in frequency to do any good! Where is the firmware update?

[@bobgsearch]

First "drive"...no information on how it drives...?

[@CleanMPG]

Bob, read the 4 paragraphs under the vid. IHTHs.

[@RawrimTAG]

bobgsearch click bait to the max

[@MikeSmith-ih9lx]

Hyundai needs to make their cars look more different than their new Genesis brand; Personally, the new Hyundai and Genesis cars look too similar. I like the Genesis G80 and this Sonata kind of look like it-its the little brother.

[@CleanMPG]

Mike, I believe that was on purpose. The Genesis G80 is an excellent luxury car with wonderfully well thought out appointments. The refreshed Sonata needed a bit of a push upscale to grab attention of the consumer within the hyper competitive mid-size sedan market. Just my opinion however.

[@justinnegron4843]

This is not as cohesive as the genesis. The front really throws this car off

[@Jakehanselman]

Mike Smith I like that car😃😎

[@jimmyjames1474]

What are you on bro? You're not relaxed at all.

[@Chris-wz6hv]

First drive?

[@edwizard62]

Title says First Drive....I didn't see you drive it.

[@CleanMPG]

Yup, I did. 👍

[@EVEmasta]

what gas do you put in

[@CleanMPG]

Shell.

[@EVEmasta]

@@CleanMPG premium?

[@rudytaneloruxy9491]

Who cares if the pillar is pastic. who the fuck strokes their A pillar. Why do people get excited about contrast stiching, its not like its some great expense to the MFG. Leave some hard plastic and keep prices down. Its a sonata not a jag or a Bentley not every car needs soft touch everything and leather everything. Id prefer cooled seats or something really luxury over fancy materials. Soon people will want burled walnut and titanium dead pedal in an elantra.

[@CleanMPG]

Rudy, including cloth textured A-pillar adds class. It is in your view at all times when driving during daylight hours. Would you want to see a cloth texture or a hard plastic cover for the 5,000+ hours you will be sitting in the seat over the next 150k miles? The Sonata Limited has heated and ventilated seats standard. :)

[@rudytaneloruxy9491]

CleanMPG I don't disagree about class but it just seems people obsess about hard plastic in average cars. Thats why there are luxury cars. Every little thing brings price up. somebody needs to figure out a see through material that doesnt distort vision for A pillars that can withstand roll over. These giant A pillars really mess with you when cornering.

[@CleanMPG]

Rudy, competition is moving the interior appointments upscale on even base models. Consider any < $25k VW Golf or Jetta A-pillars. They are all cloth textured. I wish more companies would include this. Eventually they will.

[@Sunny-ct3jh]

Rudy Tanelo Ruxy i

[@dougn2350]

Rudy Tanelo Ruxy ... I agree. Sonata is a great value. If Hyundai put expensive materials to please guys like this it wouldn't be affordable to the avg buyer.

[@audysaad80]

👍💐💐💐😉

[@joshuaperry6129]

on eco

[@CleanMPG]

You bet Joshua! :)

[@stevieg3078]

The title says "First Drive"? You didn't drive it t all! It was a walk around review.

[@CleanMPG]

Stevie, you did not see the Fuel Consumption displays or read the details below the vid? How did those occur without driving the all-new Sonata?

[@stevieg3078]

a driving video is about you driving, talking & showing us how it handles & steers. Show us how quick it is..how smooth it shifts. Haven't you done this before?

[@CleanMPG]

Steve, did you once again fail to read the description even after I pointed it out? This is midsize sedan territory. The previous gen Camry owns this segment on a sales volume basis and was one of the most ill-handling offerings available. This segment is about pricing, features, amenities, safety, and efficiency. Did you miss the features, amenities, and 3 different efficiency displays? The IIHS and NHTSA crash test ratings had to be added after the fact because they were not available when we were first offered the opportunity to drive it. I would suggest that you read the description - this is the third time I have mentioned it - before engaging your keyboard.

[@stevieg3078]

All I am saying is the title said "first drive"....and you didn't drive the car at all. I opened your video to hear your impressions on how it drove. That is all I am pointing out.

[@CleanMPG]

"And you didn't drive the car at all." - Stevie, I spent 2 to 3-hours behind the wheel of the all-new 2018 Sonata. What are you missing here? How do you climb to over 4,000' ft to Julian, CA and back down to the Pacific Coast with displays shown in the video.

[@Hersses-tech]

The paint coat is very thing I impressed when I take a look. I trade in Honda Accord 2016 the paint look new. Sonata is good car but disappointed paint.

[@herberthenrique__]

Lancer

[@peteryang6861]

too bad it is hyundai. My 2014 elantra engine broke down in 131k km. I need to spend 7k+ to get it fixed. I got all the oil change records. dont take the risk.

[@CleanMPG]

Peter Yang : I am sorry to hear that Peter. ☹

[@brianchaplinski5718]

Why wouldn't your hyundai warrantee cover that!

[@CleanMPG]

Brian, good question. Given Peter stated his miles in km, that may be Europe or Asia and they may have different drivetrain warranty? I am guessing on this however.

[@peteryang6861]

In Canada. Hyundai only cover 100k km warranty. But the engine broke down in 131k km is suck.

[@dougn2350]

Peter Yang ... $7000 Canadian huh. I'd say your 14 Elantra is probably worth $2000 even with a bad engine. Sell it as is and put the $9000 towards another vehicle. It all kinda sucks though.

[@sngc123]

cpycat from audi