Deep dive: All the tech in the 2018 Hyundai Sonata
Cars
Welcome to a deep dive into the technology and driver's aids of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.
Now let's start with the infotainment system.
I really like the BlueLink system.
It's easy to navigate.
Its got great graphics.
And it doesn't really get in its own way too much.
There's a few different ways that you can access all of the information.
There's a set of redundant buttons down here, or you can just press All Menus, and there you can cycle through and select your navigation, your phone, your radio, what have you.
But one of the coolest things is this My Menu, where I can kind of preset all the things that I use the most So I'm going to add my office navigation.
Add?
Yes, boom.
Next time I want to go to work all that information is right there.
Another cool thing is the inclusion of Google Local Search for easy one box entry.
It's a lot easier than trying to find the address of blah blah blah.
Instead just enter something like car wash, ice cream, chipotle and all that information comes up easy pesy.
Of course you're probably just going to use your phone for navigation, right, because that's what we all do?
Well, no worries, because Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both standard.
And since you've got a phone you're probably going to need to charge it.
There is Qi wireless charging for phones that support that technology, otherwise there are two 12 Volt outlets as well as a USB up front and a USB for the second row passengers.
And when it comes to standard drivers, the Hyundai is not quite as up to snuff as the Honda or Toyota.
Sure there's technology like blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
As well as lane change assist.
Those are all standard across every Sonata.
But the good stuff like, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, as well as automatic emergency braking.
Those are only standard on this top of the line, limited, two liter turbo.
They're not available at all on the trim line below, and they're only options on the rest of the Sonatas.
Come on, Hyundai, this stuff should be standard.
But if you happen to pony up for those driver's aids, they are really good.
The new lane keeping assist gives you a warning if you happen to drift out of the lane, and will gently guide you back in, it's a very, very subtle system, And I really like it.
Adaptive cruise control is awesome for stop and go traffic.
it works well at low speeds, and it will bring you to a full stop behind the car in front of you, and will even give you a pause of about three seconds or more before it disengages.
When you're ready to get going again, a simple tap on the gas or a flick of the steering wheel button and you're ready to go.
So while I do want my adaptive cruise control standard, I have to say that Hyundai does a great job with their driver's aids.
And the blue link system is top notch.
You can check out our full review of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata over at the roadshow.com.
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