Hyundai gets over 10,000 pre-orders for new Sonata

Hyundai Motor's new Sonata / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Hyundai Motor has received 10,203 pre-orders for the new Sonata just a week before its official launch on March 21, fast gaining popularity among young consumers according to the company, Sunday.

The new Sonata is the eighth generation of the company's mid-sized sedan, undergoing its first major change after its predecessor's launch in March 2014.

The number of pre-orders is considerable given that Korea's largest carmaker sold a monthly average of 5,487 LF Sonatas last year in Korea.

About 48.9 percent of those that pre-ordered the new Sonata were individual consumers, up 10.9 percent point from 38 percent of those who bought LF Sonata during the same period five years ago.

In addition, 14 percent of them were buyers in their 20s, which is an 8.7 percentage point increase from those who bought the previous model.

“The new Sonata's appeal is a combination of a reasonable price, exceptional performance and sensuous design,” a Hyundai Motor official said.

The new model is equipped with a third-generation platform and shared mobility features.

Controlled by a smartphone, the new Sonata saves drivers' profiles and automatically changes the seat position, head-up display, outside mirror, infotainment system, navigation, air conditioning and other settings accordingly.

Furthermore, the new Sonata has a digital key system, which allows the driver to access the car with a smartphone and share the key with others, according to the carmaker.

The daytime running lights embedded in hidden lighting lamps is a key design innovation that embodies Sonata's light architecture.

“The newly added features will help us design and manufacture safer, energy-efficient and more innovative vehicles,” the official said.

The company added that it has no plan of selling new Sonata sedans as taxis in order to sharpen its smart brand image.

The new Sonata's price starts from 23.46 million won ($20,780) and the highest trim's price begins from 32.89 million won.