current sonata better looking for me.
a matter of individual taste

Fluidic Sculpture 1.0 Sonata still best/unique looking.

Now everything are combination of Ford Focus/Fiesta headlamps, Audi grill, Mazda rear lamp, 17/18" rims with expensive rubber but tiny disc brake/drums.

Just like the Tucson, and most Hyundai, I'm guessing this Sonata probably have HU/radio with resolution lower than the cheapest smart phone.
Well at least Toyota now has a front spandex grill. Weird but unique lol.

Oooo...wanted to have a bit of the lexus feel....

Then, prices will have at least a 5% hike. Judging by how honda priced the turbo civic, if toyota willing to drop in the rumoured 2L turbo engine as the top spec, expect at least 10k-15k increase in price for the high spec. 

And by the way, the sonata you mentioned is a facelift exercise, Camry is a whole new model, not fair comparisons leh....

Sedan not my cup of tea.. Will always go for SUV or crossover like my HRV

Imagine how Toyota here priced their Camry RM155-175k

Don't be surprised to see the new Camry crossing the RM180k mark like the Mazda 6 and still only comes with 2 airbags.

These cars are bread and butter cars in many countries overseas, like our Myvi and Saga. But here it's premium car selling at a very premium pricing.

Scary...

Honestly mazda 6, although premium price does feel a lot better than others

What i find from various sources tells that the Sonata new rice is a facelift, some examples :
http://www.caradvice.com.au/530970/2017-hy...ealed-in-korea/
http://www.motor1.com/news/138376/hyundai-...elift-revealed/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/03/2...r-midsize-soul/

Anyway, the full technical specs are not given out yet, maybe by that time can really confirm whether this is facelift or not.

I realised i made a mistake on the toyota 2L turbo engine statement. I mistake their new Dynamic Force engine range for turbo. Actually, it is an enhanced inline 4, with the purpose of targeting the thermal efficiency towards what diesel engines can offer through high compression and direct injection, but no turbo (almost like Mazda Skyactiv engine).

Since Camry has always been a US first kind of car, my thoughts are that this new engine won't be introduced into Malaysian market that soon, but maybe through the facelifted version. They could still bring in the new 8 speed transmission, a nice selling point. Since it is so, then not much pricing premium can be expected. Or UMW Malaysia can do the lazy job of just new shell, but retain both the current engines and the 6 speed transmission, but still price it a little higher since the design has more "premium-ness"....

Although an uphill task, Sonata can put up a little more challenge to toyota if can bring in the 2L turbo together with the 8 speed transmission into the market latest by early next year to ride on the chinese new year car change wave. Can be a nice complement in the range after the elantra turbo as both are under the same design family.

But still Toyota can surprise all of us with a 2L turbo, since it has been rumoured for more than 2 years and the fact that there is already a 2L turbo on the lexus lineup that they can detune/modify....

There was a time where hyundai dumped the remaining stocks of i40 from europe over here, and guess what, it was so well received. I was itching to get that but already fully sold out when i enquired. It was equipped with the 2L GDI engine you mentioned. Power/torque number wise, very close to Mazda Skyactive. Also chain cam, so should be quite reliable. I believe hyundai used that batch of few hundred i40 to evaluate how the engine would withstand to our fuel, driving condition and our climate.

So this time, if owners of i40 till date doesn't have much complains regarding the engine, maybe, this new sonata will equipped with this engine for base model and possibly (hopefully) the 2L turbo for the high spec version. Or can do like what the US did to their mid spec sonata, use the 1.6L turbo and fit it with the DSG; high spec with 2L turbo. Quite a number of reviews in the US for Sonata/optima with the 1.6L turbo with DSG combo says it is a better choice than the 2L turbo option.

If that's the case, then how would you suggest for Sonata to fight against the Accord that time?