First introduced in 1985, 9.63 million units sold
Expected to become Korea's fourth 10-million seller
40th anniversary events also planned
"National Sedan" model year update
12.3-inch cluster, navigation, and more
Standard on new
The "Sonata," known as the "national sedan," has sold 9.63 million units over 40 years since its launch in 1985, and is now on the verge of surpassing 10 million units. In the Korean automotive industry, the only models to have reached 10 million units sold so far are the Hyundai Avante and the Hyundai Accent. Hyundai Motor Company is continuing the legacy of Korea's representative midsize sedan by launching a new model year with enhanced features.
According to the industry on September 29, the Sonata first appeared on the market in 1985 as a premium trim of the Stellar, which was launched in 1983. It is the longest-running single passenger car brand, having undergone changes across eight generations to date.
In its first year after the 1985 launch, more than 1,000 units of the Sonata were sold, and exports began the following year. In 1991, domestic sales surpassed 100,000 units, and in 2002, overseas sales also exceeded 100,000 units. In 2011, a record 420,000 units were sold in overseas markets, marking the highest annual sales in its history. As of the end of August this year, cumulative sales of the Sonata have reached 9,636,059 units. With the Hyundai Tucson having surpassed 9 million units in April last year and expected to reach 10 million units sold this year, the Sonata is anticipated to become the fourth model in Korea to achieve 10 million units sold.
On this day, Hyundai Motor Company launched the model year update "2026 Sonata The Edge," which continues the Sonata tradition. The company added a new "S" trim, which features options popular among customers, and made a variety of convenience and safety features standard across different trims.
The S trim, based on the entry-level "Premium" trim, comes standard with a 12.3-inch cluster and navigation, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist, ventilated front seats, and dual full-auto air conditioning. The main "Exclusive" trim includes Remote Smart Parking Assist, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Parking Distance Warning (side), and Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist as standard convenience and safety features.
The price for the updated model ranges from 28,260,000 to 35,490,000 won for the Smartstream gasoline 2.0 model. For the hybrid, reflecting tax benefits, the Premium trim is priced at 32,700,000 won, and the highest Inspiration trim is 39,790,000 won.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Sonata’s launch, Hyundai Motor Company will hold the "By Your Side - Stellar & Sonata" exhibition at the "Picnic" greenhouse cultural space in Namsan, Seoul, showcasing a restored "Stellar 88" vehicle and related archives until January 4 next year.
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