Hyundai Sonata remains one of the brand’s cornerstone models, and fresh signs suggest the sedan isn’t headed for retirement. Development of the ninth-generation Sonata, known as DN9, has been confirmed, and designers are already sharing the first renderings of what the car could become. If plans stay on track, early mules and test prototypes should appear on the road during 2026.

The backdrop is complicated. The global market for sedans is narrowing, and within Hyundai’s lineup the Sonata has long been wedged between the more budget-friendly Elantra and the more “premium” Grandeur. After the current DN8 received its facelift in 2023, public signals about a successor were scarce, which fueled talk that the model might be discontinued or its role folded into the Elantra. The renewed focus on DN9 reads like a strategic course correction: Hyundai seems intent on redefining Sonata’s place while preserving a name that still carries real weight for brand recognition.

In design terms, expect a turn toward the Art of Steel philosophy, with cleaner forms, sharper edges, and taut, well-resolved proportions instead of overt aggression. The renders emphasize a more expressive rear end: a wide light bar, bold SONATA script, and a sportier bumper. As for powertrains, a full return to stand-alone internal combustion as the centerpiece seems unlikely; hybrid setups look the sensible fit for market demands and for how a 2025–2026 sedan should be positioned.