2018 Hyundai SONATA

The redesigned 2018 Hyundai Sonata enters the market with a new look from the front, side and rear thanks to a "cascading grill," a more assertive profile and an entirely new rear; showcasing a clean and handsome approach with reimagined, slim taillights.

The 2018 Sonata now lights the way with LED daytime running lights. The new Sonata has a refined chassis with improved ride and handling. To achieve this feat, talented engineers increased the torsion bar stiffness within the steering system by 12 percent, which improves steering response and feel in all conditions. They then enhanced that improvement further with new steering calibration, focusing on responsiveness and on-center steering feel. Previous ratings for ride, handling and NVH showed customers were quite satisfied, so engineers just reset an already high bar.

In addition the Sonata receives an updated rear suspension. The trailing arms are 21 percent thicker, making them stiffer and better able to manage heavy suspension loads. New bushings work with the new suspension arms to allow for more ride compliance and yet quicken response time to control all other wheel motions. The result is a communicative, nimble and comfortable sedan.

The top-of-the-line 245 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine now includes an eight-speed automatic transmission, which adds ratio range at both the top and bottom of output speeds. The eight-speed allows for extra thrust off-the-line and a quieter, more fuel-efficient dash down the interstate. The 2.0-liter turbo models roll on 18-inch wheels, now with Michelin tires.

The 2018 Sonata features a standard seven-inch color display audio touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Sonata offers more safety features in 2018. In addition to seven standard airbags and a battery of safety systems, comes Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.