The Hyundai Sonata has proven to be a leader in the midsize segment for its fluid styling, which has influenced other models including the 2015 Chrysler 200.
Launching in 2010, the Sonata sedan was a "game changer," according to Edmunds.com's Jeremy Acevedo, supervisor for pricing and industry analysis.
"Sonata made this loud and very clear statement that midsize (car) shoppers are motivated by styling," Acevedo said. "It changed the brand which was synonymous with value, and rebranded it as this really aggressive, cutting-edge (automaker) with very distinctive designs."
Possibly influenced by Mercedes-Benz styling, the Sonata redesign brought in new buyers, boosted sales and became Hyundai's flagship vehicle.
With the new look, Sonata sales peaked in 2012 at about 230,000 for the premium design, increasing from sales of 120,000 in 2009 for its predecessor. Almost 204,000 Sonatas were sold in 2013.
"The Sonata really went from something that was kind of a vanilla car to something that all of a sudden was pretty special," Mark Hall, who is responsible for the exterior design of the 2015 Chrysler 200, told Edmunds. "It was really taking that segment by storm."
Also including the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat, the midsize segment is the most competitive vehicle segment in the country.
Michael O'Brien, Hyundai vice president of product and corporate planning, said the vehicle's roomy interior, four-cylinder engine, strong fuel economy and other factors also influenced the model's success.
"Our engineers have put a lot of premium-ness in our cars," O'Brien told Edmunds. "For example, other body engineers have said that chrome strip we have along the (Sonata's) hood line is very, very expensive and difficult to manufacture, yet we did it."
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