Despite the recent popularity of SUVs, some still prefer to drive traditional midsize family cars, such as the 2024 Hyundai Sonata and the 2024 Subaru Legacy.
The 2024 Sonata received a facelift this year. It now sports a new exterior design and a refreshed interior. The new Sonata also has more technological features. Meanwhile, Subaru made no changes to the 2024 Legacy.
To help you pick between the two family cars, we’ll conduct a Sonata vs. Legacy matchup that will compare the two sedans’ interior, performance, and safety specifications. Then, we can help you make an informed choice.
And if you want to see the 2024 Sonata in person, head to Wilson County Hyundai in Lebanon, TN. We can arrange a test drive and tell you about the latest offers for the 2024 Sonata range.
Family cars need to be roomy, and the 2024 Sonata offers more space than the 2024 Legacy. The difference is one cubic foot, but it feels like so much more in person. That’s because the 2024 Sonata’s redesigned and simplified dashboard layout, plus lighter color schemes, add airiness to the cabin. The 2024 Legacy’s heavy use of darker shades makes its cabin feel more compact.
Hyundai has also worked on giving the driver and passenger more space up front. The gear shifter has been moved to the steering column. Hence, there is more center console storage, plus an additional rest for enhanced elbow comfort. The cup holders are larger, too.
The 2024 Sonata also offers more cargo space than the 2024 Legacy. Its 16-cubic-foot trunk can carry more, and you can fold down the rear seats too. This is useful to bring home that new flat-screen TV or flat-pack wardrobe.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard for the 2024 Sonata and 2024 Legacy ranges, as is dual-zone climate control. Higher trims also get powered and heated front seats, more USB charging ports, and premium sound systems. However, the 2024 Sonata comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment interface. The 2024 Legacy doesn’t offer a digital instrument cluster. Instead, it has two 7-inch touchscreens for lower trims or a single 11.6-inch portrait-oriented unit on higher trims. Both cars can be specified with a wireless phone charging pad.
Three powertrains are available for 2024 Sonata buyers to pick. The base engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder unit. This engine develops 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and drives the front wheels. Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is optional and useful for buyers who regularly encounter slippery conditions such as snowy or muddy roads.
Then, there’s a hybrid powertrain with 192 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine plus an electric motor. A six-speed automatic gearbox is used to drive the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available for this trim.
For the keen driver, Hyundai offers the 2024 Sonata N Line. This 290-horsepower machine uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that can also produce 311 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, as are steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
The 2024 Legacy range comes with two trim-dependent engine options. Lower trims have a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder Boxer engine. This makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims get a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder unit. Here, the outputs are 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. All trims get Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and a CVT gearbox. Some trims add paddle shifters for manual gear selection.
Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of safety aids is standard for every 2024 Sonata. It features adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Further highlights include lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver detection system. The latter helps determine if the driver is distracted or sleepy and issues an appropriate alert.
The 2024 Legacy comes with Subaru’s EyeSight suit, which includes the same systems and features as Hyundai’s SmartSense suite. Furthermore, both cars have airbags, child safety locks, and tire pressure monitors.
Buyers of the 2024 Sonata can also specify blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Furthermore, the parking assistant option allows drivers to stand outside the car and have it automatically pull into or out of a parking space.
The 2024 Sonata is the definitive winner of this Sonata vs. Legacy comparison. It has a comfortable cabin and plenty of technological highlights. It also offers powertrains to suit a more comprehensive array of driver preferences and is backed by a comprehensive safety package.
Now, it’s time to test drive a 2024 Sonata. Come to Wilson County Hyundai in Lebanon, TN, and let’s get you behind the wheel.
