2015 Hyundai Sonata to Equal Record Sales Level, Says U.S. CEO

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has been redesigned, and the company is brimming with confidence about the new mid-size sedan.

The automaker's U.S. chief, Dave Zuchowski, says the company expects the 2015 Sonata to reach the record sales levels of the 2011 and 2012 models. The mid-size Sonata is currently the automaker's number-two seller by volume, behind the compact Hyundai Elantra lineup.

For this, the seventh-generation Sonata, the automaker looked to refine its midsize offering.

DON'T MISS: 2015 Hyundai Sonata - Review

Boasting the newest design language--which Hyundai dubs "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0"--the new Sonata opted for a more mature look, doing away with some of the swoopiness that garnered the previous generation much praise. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is built using a stiffer body structure, which reduces vibration and in-cabin noise. The interior design is closer to the more upscale Hyundai Genesis, and is a little roomier than the car it replaces, too.

Hyundai expects about 80 percent of buyers will opt for models powered by the 185-horsepower 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, though the carmaker also offers a 245-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine for buyers seeking a sportier ride.