2015 Hyundai Sonata cheaper than last year, starts at $21,150* [UPDATE]

The arrival of a new generation of a successful car is usually accompanied by a small surge in its price, ranging from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. Hyundai, though, is eschewing that practice, delivering its heavily redesigned Sonata for less than its predecessor. It's only a $300 difference over last year's base model, the Sonata GLS, but we don't think the savings will be lost on consumers. The move is part of a larger reshuffling of the Sonata line. The outgoing GLS trim has been replaced by the SE as the base car, while the 2.4-liter engine can now be ordered with the Sport trim. Meanwhile the 2.0T Sport is both the sole turbocharged offering, and tops off the Sonata pricing hierarchy.

With the base price for the naturally aspirated, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Sonata SE kicking off at $21,150, excluding an $810 destination charge, consumers can pick up a reasonably equipped family sedan that has all the trimmings one expects at this price point (auto up/down windows, USB connectivity, and a tilt-telescopic multi-function steering wheel). A $1,500 $1,200 Popular Equipment Package adds a 10-way driver's seat, a five-inch touchscreen with BlueLink and a rear-view camera.

Moving up to the Sonata Sport kicks the price up to $23,175, but adds 17-inch wheels, a sportier front clip, and heated mirrors and front seats, alongside smaller visual tweaks. Two packages are available: a $1,700 Premium Package that includes blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, a smart trunk, push-button start and dual-zone climate control. Spend an extra $1,750, and you can snag the Technology Pack, which isn't a standalone pack (you have to have the Premium Pack). It adds an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple's Siri Eyes-Free system and BlueLink, as well as satellite radio and a seven-speaker Dimension stereo.

The top of the 2.4-liter food chain is the Sonata Limited, which starts at $26,525. 17-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring (and the rest of the nanny systems), LED taillights, powered, heated, leather seats, push-button start, dual-zone climate control and a Dimension stereo are standard, among other things. A $3,500 Technology Pack includes everything found in the Sport's Tech Pack, but adds a panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps, vented seats and it replaces the Dimension stereo with a 400-watt, 10-speaker Infinity system. For an additional $1,550, the Ultimate Package can be added, which tacks on adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.

Finally, the Sonata Sport 2.0T soldiers on as the most powerful engine offering, offering 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with prices starting at $28,575. It comes standard with pretty much everything found on the Limited, but adds 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, larger brakes, a "sport instrument cluster," and upgraded leather seats with piping. The sole option package is the $4,950 Ultimate Package, which adds basically everything from the Sonata Limited's two packages.

Take a look below for the full pricing release from Hyundai.

2015 HYUNDAI SONATA DELIVERS SOPHISTICATED DESIGN AND MORE STANDARD FEATURES STARTING AT ONLY $21,150
Sonata Delivers Class-Above Features and Improved Driving Dynamics

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 22, 2014 – Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the all-new 2015 Sonata begins at $21,150. From the base model 2015 Sonata 2.4-liter to a new range-topping Sport 2.0T Ultimate that offers class-above features such as hands-free Smart Trunk, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel, the 2015 Sonata appeals to a wider range of customers than ever before.

"A strong value proposition has always been a cornerstone for Hyundai and the 2015 Sonata continues that tradition, with the base model priced $300 less than the model it replaces," said Bob Pradzinski, vice president of national sales, Hyundai Motor America. "Our customers are also asking for advanced safety and technology features, so we broadened the 2015 Sonata model line to include more premium comfort and convenience features on the upper trim levels. The mid-size sedan segment is incredibly competitive and we made a conscious effort to deliver a world-class mid-size sedan at an outstanding value."

The all-new 2015 Sonata offers a more refined look through the new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. Sonata truly democratizes the premium design and convenient technology of the Genesis sedan for the mid-size sedan class. Production of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is underway at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery, Ala. and the first retail units should begin arriving at dealerships by the end of the month.

2015 Sonata comes standard with seven airbags, including a new driver's knee airbag designed to help prevent the driver from sliding down the seat in a collision, which allows the other restraint systems to be more effective. Hyundai engineers also implemented many active safety technologies for the 2015 Sonata to assist drivers and help prevent accidents. No longer reserved for luxury cars, advanced safety technologies such as Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Lane Departure Warning System are all available in this mid-size sedan.

2015 Sonata SE, Sport and Limited models are powered by a revised 2.4-liter Theta II GDI four-cylinder engine that makes 185 horsepower and 178 lb. ft. of torque. New for 2015 is an Electronic Intake Continuously Variable Valve Timing (E-CVVT) system that improves performance in low temperatures and reduces emissions.

A revised 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI, also featuring E-CVVT, powers Sonata Sport 2.0T models. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is optimized for lower-RPM drivability and it produces 245 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. The twin-scroll turbocharger features a smaller turbine and compressor wheels, which provide better responsiveness and more torque in the low and mid RPM range.

2015 SONATA PRICE STRUCTURE

ModelEngineTransmissionMSRPSE2.4L I46-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC®$21,150 - $22,350Sport2.4L I46-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC®$23,175 - $26,625Limited2.4L I46-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC®$26,525 - $31,575Sport 2.0T2.0L Turbo I46-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC®$28,575 - $33,525 Freight charges for the 2015 Sonata are $810 and not included in the prices above.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Assurance Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.