First introduced globally in 1985, the Hyundai Sonata has come a long way in establishing itself as a competitive mid-size sedan. The car has played a key role in Hyundai’s growth in many markets including India and with more than 7.3 million units sold since its introduction, the Korean automaker is now celebrating its 30th anniversary.
In the US, the Sonata was introduced in 1988 and since then, Hyundai has sold more than 2.3 million units, including nearly 80,000 units of the Sonata Hybrid. The latter was launched in 2011.
“The Sonata has been a huge factor in Hyundai’s growth not only in the U.S., but around the world,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “During its 30-year history, we have been able to craft and evolve Sonata to the ever-changing needs of our customers. And, with the Sonata family growing this summer to include the all-new Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, we’re expanding an already diverse lineup with something for everyone.”
Hyundai India introduced the Sonata in its fourth generation. Since then, the car has had a fairly mediocre journey in the Indian market. While the sixth-generation Sonata was appreciated for its striking looks and the powerful drive-train, the lack of a diesel engine under its hood meant it was never up there to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Passat and the segment leader Skoda Superb.
