2021 Hyundai Sonata debuts; gets 19-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres

KUALA LUMPUR: Hyundai’s mid-size sedan, Sonata, is getting a higher-performance N-Line version sometime this year. But before that, the automaker heads up with the latest updates of the standard model in the United States. 

After giving a major overhaul last year, Hyundai freshens up the 2021 Sonata by adding some new tidbits. The list comprises 19-inch wheels and tyres, Safe Exit Warning, and a 6-way power passenger seat.

The new alloy wheels paired with 245/40 R19 Pirelli P Zero tyres will now be standard on all the variants. Hyundai says that these are meant for driving enthusiasts who look for a combination of a performance appearance, responsive handling, and durability along with all-season traction. The new wheels and tires make a beautiful looking sedan look and perform even better, said Scott Margason, director of product planning, Hyundai Motor North America.

The inner block winter siping technology of tyres improves snow traction performance, and a sound-absorbing device applied inside the circumferential wall of the tyres, reduces the road noise inside the cabin.

The next on the list is a Safe Exit Warning that uses existing blind-spot radar sensors to warn the driver and passengers if oncoming traffic is detected when parked parallelly. The system provides an automatic audible warning and a pop-up message in the gauge cluster to ‘Watch for Traffic,’ helping front and back-seat passengers at the time of stepping out of the car.

Hyundai also added an electronic passenger height adjustment feature on the top-spec version.

Under the metal skin, the new Sonata continues to house the same Smartstream gasoline powertrains - a 2.5 MPI/GDI and a 1.6 T-GDI engine, generating 191 hp and 180 hp, respectively. Both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Other than newly added features, the Hyundai Sonata specs sheet comprises a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a smartphone-based key system, electric parking brake, hands-free smart trunk, navigation, a wireless smartphone charger, and driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is slated to go on sale next month in the United States. 

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