The Hyundai Sonata continues to defy the current SUV-dominated market, maintaining its relevance as a family sedan while introducing fresh updates for the 2026 model year. Hyundai is expanding the Sonata lineup with new Sport and Hybrid trims, designed to offer more choice and enhanced features to buyers seeking style, efficiency, and technology.
The Sonata SEL Sport is the standout among the updates, with a starting price of $29,000. This trim effectively replaces the previous SEL ($28,000) and SEL Convenience ($31,050) models, bridging the gap by combining affordability with desirable convenience features. Despite being slightly more expensive than the old SEL, the SEL Sport incorporates many elements from the SEL Convenience. These include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Additional highlights include LED lighting units, heated side mirrors, and laminated front side glass for improved comfort and noise reduction. The interior features heated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system, ensuring a refined driving experience. The cabin is further enhanced with paddle shifters, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with full Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.
In terms of safety and driver assistance, the SEL Sport is well-equipped. Standard features include Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection. It also comes with High Beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, offering peace of mind for families on the road.
Under the hood, the SEL Sport is powered by a familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, providing flexibility based on driving conditions and personal preference.
Meanwhile, the Sonata Hybrid lineup receives a new entry-level Blue trim, priced at $29,050. This represents a notable reduction from last year’s base hybrid price of $31,250. The Blue trim essentially mirrors the Sonata SE but incorporates a hybrid powertrain, along with extras such as paddle shifters and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. Its 2.0-liter hybrid engine produces a combined 192 horsepower, delivering impressive fuel efficiency figures: 47 mpg city, 56 mpg highway, and 51 mpg combined. This is an improvement over the previous SEL and Limited Hybrid models, which returned 44 mpg city, 51 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined.
Additionally, the SEL Hybrid now comes with a standard panoramic sunroof, enhancing the cabin’s openness and luxury feel. Pricing for the SEL Hybrid has increased slightly to $27,300, up $400 from last year, reflecting the added features and improvements. Overall, Hyundai’s 2026 Sonata updates offer a compelling mix of style, technology, and efficiency, ensuring that the sedan remains a strong contender in a segment increasingly dominated by SUVs.