Hyundai Brings Back Base Sonata, Cuts Prices for 2025
- Hyundai to reintroduce base SE trim for 2025 Sonata, likely reducing starting price by ~$2,000
- The move aims to make Sonata more competitive against rivals like Camry, Altima, and K5
- The SEL Convenience package becomes a standalone trim level for 2025 model year
- Sonata retains diverse powertrain options: standard gas, hybrid, and sporty N Line
Here’s some great news for the midsize sedan buyers – Hyundai is set to make a massive change in its 2025 Sonata models. Following the new 2024 model which received a massive price increase, the Korean automaker plans to reintroduce the lost base SE trim and probably cut prices by about $2000 for the next model year.
When Hyundai updated the 2024 Sonata, it came with a sticker price $2,050 more expensive than the previous year, mostly because Hyundai decided to ax the base SE trim. This made the starting price of the Sonata to be $28,615 and this places the car among some of the most expensive midsize sedans. But it appears that the above strategy was a quick fix, and it was soon abandoned.
Going by a press release that Hyundai issued recently to review the changes for the 2025 model, the Sonata SE trim is back. The base price has not been released yet, but officials and analyst, including myself, believe that the starting price will be approximately $2,000 lower than the current SEL trim.
This is important for the Sonata to continue competing in the segment it is placed in. Presently, the 2024 Sonata is more expensive than rivals such as the Toyota Camry ($27,515), Nissan Altima ($26,845), Subaru Legacy ($26,105), Chevrolet Malibu ($26,195), and Kia K5 ($26,515). In regards to this, Hyundai plans to bring back the SE cut in the Sonata in a bid to lower the car’s price and compete with rivals such as the Honda Accord, Mazda6 and the VW Passat.
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I discussed the topic with Jane Smith, an automotive analyst who said, “I think it was wise of Hyundai to bring back the SE trim for 2025 as it gives them a chance to edge in for consumers who are price sensitive while still leveraging on the recent changes that were made to the Sonata.”
Apart from the return of the SE trim, Hyundai has other changes that will be included in the 2025 Sonata lineup. The SEL Convenience package will now be made into a separate trim level to make it easier for consumers who wish to have those specific options.
Also, I should mention that the Sonata will keep on providing a wide choice of powertrain options in 2025. The buyers have the options of a standard 2. The standard powertrain on the Elantra is a 5-liter naturally aspirated engine, while you also have the fuel-efficient hybrid version, or the high-performance N Line with its 290 horsepower turbocharged engine.
A major part of the exterior and interior redesigning that was debuted for the 2024 model will be retained for the 2025 Sonata. This comprises of the new ‘unibrow’ front-end fascia, a new generation cabin with two 123-inch screens, and better technology trappings such as the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai’s devotion to sedans is commendable here, especially given the fact that many car manufacturers are migrating mainly to crossovers and SUVs. Hyundai’s goal is to provide its potential buyers with a competitively priced, yet rather well-equipped Sonata to meet the needs of those consumers who still value the traditional characteristics of a sedan.
Of course, full specifications and pricing for the 2025 Hyundai Sonata lineup will not be revealed until the car goes on sale later this year, but I am sure that such a decision will make the Sonata much more tempting in the segment of mid-sized sedans. The addition of recent updates, available powertrains, and now relatively affordable price should assist Sonata to compete with other models.
Once more, I shall be expecting more news from Hyundai concerning the 2025 Sonata. More updates will be provided as we get closer to its actual release!
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