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While it was thought by some to be on the sedan chopping block, Hyundai showed off the "sensuous sportiness" direction they're trying to move the brand in:
Front looks like a hammerhead shark, not terrible, but not great. Rear looks awful. Sides look ok from some angles. I like the LEDs running up the hood. Interior looks like they ripped of the Lexus ES.
Front end if rather nice, not quite sure about the rear. But holy moly, that interior dash looks like it was taken straight out of the ES
Personal opinions and/or "looking like" XYZ doesn't matter, when there are lead times in the industry. Hyundai's new XF Sonata design was a done deal 2 years ago (internal information), that even the 2018 Le Fil Rouge Concept was based off of it. Where was the new ES to be benchmarked by Hyundai 25 months ago, when styling was wrapping up on this XF model programme? No where in public, withheld at Toyota HQ.
Actually, I'd refer directly to the AL20 RX dash, as there are just as many similarities and that could have been benchmarked between 2015 and 2017, when Hyundai designed this XF. Simply put, the ES has no relevance and is coincidental, unlike that of the RX.
Im confused as to the fanfair about the DRLs, do they extend all the way up the hood?
No, I actually think they end at the headlight housing, but a styling cue of the Sonata has always been those chrome lines from the headlight to the window line, so it looks like they continued that here. I think the exaggeration in the first pic is just supposed to be a reflective of the chrome on the hood portion.
Agreed, another copy combination. The rear is Volvo, Civic, and Lincoln MKZ. The front is bizarre and overstyled. Dash is decent, but lacking at the same time. The missing left center pillar is weak and imbalanced. I'm sorry, but I don't see ES anywhere in there. The main theme of the ES dash has a distinct diagonal line cutting across the center. None here. Steering wheel has odd and mismatched spokes.
I applaud Hyundai's surge, but strangeness does not win me over.
Rear looks like a Honda Civic? Does this mean that car manufacturers can copy other car manufacturers and not get sued? Awesome! Lexus should steal Acura or Infiniti's grilles so their grilles doesn't have to be ugly.
Looks like the passenger seat has buttons so the driver can move it. This is usually found only on higher end vehicles-wish more manufacturers would offer this.
No, I actually think they end at the headlight housing, but a styling cue of the Sonata has always been those chrome lines from the headlight to the window line, so it looks like they continued that here. I think the exaggeration in the first pic is just supposed to be a reflective of the chrome on the hood portion.
They do extend about halfway up the hoodline. In the real picture, you can see the slight parting line in the piece change. Hyundai has shown on the Elantra refresh and the Grandmaster concept, lighting elements that look like chrome trim during the day, but then light up at night.
The Sonata receives a new grille and new daytime running lights with Hidden Lighting Lamps. These lights shine brightly when turned on but blend into the design of the car when turned off. The lights run through two chromic lines on the car, which travel all the way back to the windows. In the rear, you'll notice new full-width taillights and a bold window spoiler.