Sonata Adds Value—and Features—for 2013

[Hyundai NEWS]

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is now arriving in dealerships, and while it may look the same on the outside, its rivals—and potential customers—should take note: Hyundai has revised the lineup with new features and more value, making it an even better choice for today’s shoppers, even when compared to the newest models in the segment.
The Sonata will continue to offer the only standard engine in its class that’s capable of 200 hp and more than 180 lb.-ft. of torque, and that powerplant also delivers standout fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. Further, all 2013 models (except the base GLS version) will feature standard heated front seats, and Hyundai has added a new traditional-style sunroof as the standard choice on Sonata Limited models; this allowed the automaker to reduce their MSRPs by $600. A panoramic sunroof will be available for the Sonata Limited as well.
Another key upgrade to the 2013 comes courtesy of ALG, which has honored the Sonata with its highest residual-value rating ever; according to the experts, the newest Sonata will still retain 60 percent of its value even five years after purchase.
Perhaps most important for would-be Sonata owners, however, isn’t a change to the car itself, but to the plant where it’s built: Hyundai has finally added a third shift—and 877 new jobs—to its plant in Alabama where the Sonata (and Hyundai Elantra) are manufactured. The expansion is expected to add 20,000 units of capacity this year alone, and should go a long way to meeting the ongoing high demand for Hyundai’s mid-size sedan: The Sonata was the No. 3 car in its segment for retail sales in 2011, ahead of competitors like the Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima and Chevy Malibu.