Hyundai Sonata Second Facelift Confirmed: Prototype Caught in Daylight

A few days ago we showed you the first spy photos of a mysterious Hyundai Sonata prototype, taken at night and too blurry to tell whether it was an all-new car or another facelift. Now our friends at Healer TV have caught the same prototype in daylight, on a car transporter, and the answer is clear: this is a second facelift of the current DN8 Sonata, not a new generation.

Why It Is A Facelift, Not A New Generation

The doors, side windows, mirrors and the fastback roofline are the same as on today's Sonata. An all-new model would bring a new body, so this is an update of the current car.

That fits with what is happening at Kia, where the Sonata's sister car is also getting a second update (K5 second facelift: everything we know).

A Bigger Change Than It Looks

Even though it is only a facelift, the camouflage suggests a big design change, especially at the rear:

• The whole rear end is covered: the trunk lid, rear bumper and rear quarter panels are all hidden under thick covers, which usually means new panels.

• The rear doors are covered too: this hints that the changes go beyond the bumpers and lights.

• No production taillights yet: the car does not have its final taillights. Instead, it uses small LED bulbs behind mesh openings in the cover for the basic functions.

An Early-Stage Prototype

The missing taillights tell us this prototype is still at an early stage of development. Hyundai is probably testing the mechanical parts and structure first, with the final lights and trim coming later. That also means the launch is not close.

What About The Next-Gen Sonata?

Last year we reported that the next-generation Sonata (DN9) is in development. This second facelift does not cancel that, but it suggests the DN8 will stay on sale for longer than expected.

The current Sonata was facelifted in May 2023, and Hyundai recently launched the 2027 Sonata in Korea with a new Black N Line trim.

Our Take

A second facelift is unusual for a Hyundai, but it keeps the Sonata fresh until the DN9 is ready. Judging by how much of the rear is covered, this could be a much more visible update than a typical facelift. We will keep following it.

Photo: Healer TV.