The Hyundai Sonata And Kia K5 Could Be On The Chopping Block

America's midsize sedan segment continues to shrink, and this time Hyundai Motor Group might be the next one to pull the plug. According to company insiders, the once-popular Hyundai Sonata won't live to see another generation, and now Automotive News suggests that its Kia K5 sibling could follow suit. On the bright side, rumors indicate that the sedan duo will hang around for about five more years until they are reportedly axed.

Hyundai isn't completely done with the Sonata yet, as the automaker plans to give its midsize sedan a facelift before its life cycle ends in 2027. After that, insiders say that there will be no next-generation model, which leads them to believe that the Sonata will then end production. Another nail in the coffin is Hyundai's next EV, the Ioniq 6 sedan. The Ioniq 6 is said to be about the same size as the Sonata, so it could act as an all-electric replacement when it arrives towards the end of the decade.

While the discontinuation of the Sonata and K5 is pure speculation at this point, the Kia Stinger's demise looks much clearer, according to Automotive News. Insiders said that production of the sporty liftback will conclude after this quarter, even though it just recently received a refresh. Rumors have been speculating the the Stinger's death for years now, and the fact that sales never took off further bolsters this rumor. But despite the meager sales numbers, the Stinger helped Kia transform its image as a more exciting and quality-oriented company.

Before you begin to mourn the death of the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5, let us remind you that these are simply rumors. In fact, Hyundai denied claims that the Sonata is being discontinued anytime soon, saying that it remains a crucial member of the automaker's sedan lineup. As for the Stinger, we'll know more about its fate sooner or later. Kia told Automotive News that the premium hatch isn't going anywhere, but we can't ensure that the Stinger will live to see the electric era.

Do you think that Hyundai plans on discontinuing the Sonata? If so, will the Kia Stinger and K5 will suffer similar fates?

Source: Automotive News

Images: Hyundai, Kia