[FloridaGator]

Like I said before, my Sonata is totally unreliable when it comes to texting using its built-in system. As someone who texts far more often than I call, it's a deal breaker. It's like we have opposing problems in terms of our preferred system. I wish the Hyundai Bluetooth texting system worked better because all the rest of it is superior.

We must be talking about different trim levels regarding the earlier Sonata generation. My earlier Sonata's were/are the 2015 and 2017 Sonata Sport. The 2015 which I still have only has the most basic built-in phone voice recognition capabilities with a very limited voice command options such as Call/dial by name or number but no texting options. It also had a very small media screen. The 2017, which I no longer have had an advanced option pkg. which included a larger media screen, push button start, smart key, smart trunk opening and others but still had the most basic built-in phone voice commands with no voice recognition texting features. I think the Limited and the Tech/Nav option pkg. from the earlier generation included more advanced voice recognition options such as voice recognition for texting. With the 2020 Generation Sonata the basic built-in phone call voice recognition is only available with the larger Media screen which is standard on the Limited and an option for the Sonata Plus so the SE and SEL trim levels are out of luck. On my 2020 Sonata SEL, if I push the Bluetooth Hands Free button on the steering wheel all I get is a message on the screen to connect Android Auto or Apple Car Play.

 

[PaulQ]

We must be talking about different trim levels regarding the earlier Sonata generation...On my 2020 Sonata SEL, if I push the Bluetooth Hands Free button on the steering wheel all I get is a message on the screen to connect Android Auto or Apple Car Play.

Yes, maybe I got mixed up. I am only speaking from experience with the 2020 Sonata SEL Plus. I have never owned another Sonata (or any Hyundai for that matter). I have the tech package. I have to be honest, I haven't even pressed either of the phone buttons on my steering wheel. This message caused me go look to see if I had them. I have assumed that one is to answer an already ringing incoming call, the other to hang up on it. I don't know if they do more - like if you hold one down. I'm not sure I have a Bluetooth handsfree button? Is it one of those? The only other related button I have is the one to trigger a voice interaction - calls, radio stations, and navigation location.

 

[FloridaGator]

The only other related button I have is the one to trigger a voice interaction - calls, radio stations, and navigation location.

That is the button I am referring to, Hyundai refers to it as the Voice Recognition Button and just to the left of the Mode Button on the left side of the wheel.

 

[B-A-H]

There are two head units on the Sonata depending on the trim. Every trim but the Limited comes with 8" Display Audio. 10.25" AVN5 is standard on the Limited and available via the tech package on the SEL Plus. Display Audio has no native voice recognition system but provides it only via phone projection (Android Auto and CarPlay). AVN5 has an integrated voice recognition system that's substantially upgraded over previous versions. So owners of anything but the Limited or SEL Plus w/Tech don't have native voice recognition. Put another way your Sonata has to be $30+K to get native voice recognition.

 

[FloridaGator]

There are two head units on the Sonata depending on the trim. Every trim but the Limited comes with 8" Display Audio. 10.25" AVN5 is standard on the Limited and available via the tech package on the SEL Plus. Display Audio has no native voice recognition system but provides it only via phone projection (Android Auto and CarPlay). AVN5 has an integrated voice recognition system that's substantially upgraded over previous versions. So owners of anything but the Limited or SEL Plus w/Tech don't have native voice recognition. Put another way your Sonata has to be $30+K to get native voice recognition.

Straight to the point but accurate IMO though that was not the case with LF Sonata 2015-2019. Both my 2015 and 2017 Sonata Sport's had Native Voice Recognition with no additional trim packages that pertained to Display Audio and MSRP on both were well below the 30K threshold. I think an argument could be made that basic (or Native) phone voice recognition for placing and receiving calls is not only a convenience feature but a safety feature as well and over the last 5+ years a feature that has become standard on new cars in this class and price range. A line on the window sticker on my 2020 Sonata SEL says Bluetooth Hands Free Voice System which in this case is not totally accurate. The window sticker on my 2015 Sonata Sport also indicated Bluetooth Hands Free Voice System but for the 2015 the statement is accurate so Hyundai is describing the two as being the same when they aren't even close.

 

[PaulQ]

A line on the window sticker on my 2020 Sonata SEL says Bluetooth Hands Free Voice System which in this case is not totally accurate. The window sticker on my 2015 Sonata Sport also indicated Bluetooth Hands Free Voice System but for the 2015 the statement is accurate so Hyundai is describing the two as being the same when they aren't even close.

Just an interesting side note... there is no mention of a hands-free voice system or any voice system on my SEL Plus sticker OR the tech package sticker. I don't even see the word "Bluetooth" anywhere. Are these stickers dealer generated? I thought they came from the factory.

 

[FloridaGator]

Just an interesting side note... there is no mention of a hands-free voice system or any voice system on my SEL Plus sticker OR the tech package sticker. I don't even see the word "Bluetooth" anywhere. Are these stickers dealer generated? I thought they came from the factory.

That is very interesting. I have always been of the belief that the window sticker was attached at the factory or at least at the designated Point of Entry. Yes, even cars made in the USA for US purchase have to go through a Port of Entry process. As stated, my 2020 Sonata SEL window sticker clearly states Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System. I have a feeling Hyundai is playing catch-up regarding the unanticipated consequences of their to eliminate the feature from most trim levels. After all, Hyundai was rather late in bringing this car to market and was likely scrambling over last minute details.

 

[PaulQ]

That is very interesting. I have always been of the belief that the window sticker was attached at the factory or at least at the designated Point of Entry.

I happen to have a picture of it. Does yours look similar? I know it's two different trim levels but there should be similarities. It would also be interesting to see if other SEL Plus models share the same sticker. I could start a new thread about stickers.

 

[FloridaGator]

I happen to have a picture of it. Does yours look similar? I know it's two different trim levels but there should be similarities. It would also be interesting to see if other SEL Plus models share the same sticker. I could start a new thread about stickers.

View attachment 445009

Attached is the window sticker from my 2020 Sonata SEL. The same identical phrase (arrow) was included on both my 2015 and 2017 Sonata Sport but as we now know, the two systems do not have the same functionality.

 

[PaulQ]

Very interesting. So, why would they NOT include that phrase on mine? If I was shopping the two, I would wonder if my car was the one missing Bluetooth calling features and assume yours had them. I would have probably actually accepted them telling me that they are moving toward Android Auto/CP and phasing out built-in systems. That wouldn't be an outrageous claim to me - premature - but in the realm of possibilities.

Sorry this happened. One of those things that you could have never predicted, especially with your Hyundai history.

 

[B_A_H]

All the Display Audio models do support Bluetooth Hands-Free. If you read the owners manual it allows you to control pretty much everything via the display head unit including calling contacts downloaded from the phone, dial by number, and storing favorites. The only thing it doesn't support is doing those things by voice. I'm guessing a high percentage of both Android and Apple phones being used for Bluetooth phone access could also be used with Android Auto and CarPlay. I think Hyundai killed their redundant voice recognition in Display Auto because of that.

 

[FloridaGator]

All the Display Audio models do support Bluetooth Hands-Free. If you read the owners manual it allows you to control pretty much everything via the display head unit including calling contacts downloaded from the phone, dial by number, and storing favorites. The only thing it doesn't support is doing those things by voice. I'm guessing a high percentage of both Android and Apple phones being used for Bluetooth phone access could also be used with Android Auto and CarPlay. I think Hyundai killed their redundant voice recognition in Display Auto because of that.

View attachment 445021

With the 2020 Sonata trim levels SE and SEL there is no voice recognition without connecting to Android Auto/Apple Car Play but it is available as an option on the Plus and std. on the Limited. For years 2015-2019 all Sonata trim levels provided the built-in voice recognition. The fact that the independent voice recognition is optional on the Plus and std. on the Limited clearly demonstrates that Hyundai recognizes that it is a valuable feature. How many owners of the 2020 Sonata generation have experience with both? I have had or still have a 2015 and 2017 Sonata Sport and now the 2020 Sonata SEL and am completely aware of how they both work. With Sonata years 2015-2019 you could press one button on the wheel, #1 in the Owners Manual diagram and place a call by name or number or call out any number that is not in the smartphone directly without pressing any additional numbers or looking at any screen, now that is what I call true Hands-Free operation and it was referred to on the window sticker as Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and now what Hyundai refers to as Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System on the 2020 generation is not even similar to the previous system, it's like comparing apples to oranges. With the current generation you can accomplish most call placing functions from the controls on the wheel but it also requires looking at the phone screen as you scroll down the Contacts or Favorites list thus taking your eyes off the road even if only momentarily, this is not Hands-Free operation. To place a call that is not in the Smartphone Directory the operator must manually enter the number on the Phone Screen, this is not Hands-Free operation. I don't think there can be any dispute that the earlier generation Sonata Hands-Free Phone System, model years 2015-2019 was clearly safer and more efficient than the 2020 version of Hands-Free Phone System. For anyone that has not actually owned and used an earlier version of the Sonata Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System.they may not fully understand the differences. Yes, you do get Hands-Free Phone operation with Android Auto/Apple Car Play but without it there is no Hands-Free operation of the phone. Several of the sales guys at the dealership told me that this could be a tricky subject for owners of the previous generation Sonata.

 

[FloridaGator]

For the 2020 Sonata SE and SEL trim levels it is a good thing LKA and LFA are standard because it will come in handy when placing calls without Android Auto/Apple Car Play connected.

 

[B_A_H]

In 2015 Android Auto and CarPlay didn't exist. The name "Display Audio" was introduced not that long ago and after Android Auto and CarPlay became mainstream. The name is literal - the "display" supports phone projection and the "audio" controls media. Anyone with a late-model Android or iPhone can use voice recognition for the price of a USB or lightening cable. And as a bonus you get onscreen navigation without having to pay for it.

Looking at the Sonata with its latest iterations of Hyundai's head units you can see what Hyundai's doing. Display Audio has been greatly simplified and AVN5 has had its features and voice recognition greatly enhanced. My 2018 Elantra GT launched AVN5 V1 (the newest version pre-Sonata) and the speed and comprehensiveness of voice recognition in the Sonata is light years better. I'm sure part of that is because it supports in-car functions Android Auto and CarPlay don't. It also support Genesis which has a crap ton of voice controlled in-car features Hyundai's don't.

There are a lot of generational changes Hyundai made starting with the Sonata that, like you, I'm not thrilled with. Discontinuing the option to use XM Traffic was just dumb. So is limiting the control of SCC behavior to "normal" in all drive options but sport where it's set to "fast." Fast is equal to the previous normal and normal is almost too slow to use in traffic. But we got other things like HDA and LFA.

So you win some and lose some.

 

[FloridaGator]

So you win some and lose some.

You can say that again!

 

[vinny68]

You can still just use the voice commands on your phone by saying Ok Google or Ok Siri, right? So the old Hyundai voice commands were redundant with what your phone could already do, correct? Or am I missing something?

I'm sure it sucks to realize your brand new car doesn't do something the same way your old car did but it doesn't seem like you really lost any functionality here - you just have to learn the new procedure, that's all. ?

 

[FloridaGator]

You can still just use the voice commands on your phone by saying Ok Google or Ok Siri, right? So the old Hyundai voice commands were redundant with what your phone could already do, correct? Or am I missing something?

I'm sure it sucks to realize your brand new car doesn't do something the same way your old car did but it doesn't seem like you really lost any functionality here - you just have to learn the new procedure, that's all. ?

You are mostly correct regarding phone usage but with the built-in independent voice recognition on the previous generation Sonata you could also interact with the audio system through voice commands to select radio FM, AM, and XM channels and you could also select where your music is coming from like radio or USB source. All in all it is not a huge issue for me and don't make many outgoing calls from the car anymore, being retired reduces the number of folks you contact on a regular basis and Android Auto/Apple Car Play can always be connected to provide additional functionality. Now if someone still carries a Bluetooth capable Flip Phone (probably not many out there) they are out of luck. I think the only people that this might impact are those that had an earlier Sonata and used the Voice Recognition System exclusively.

 

[dougary]

I have noticed something weird in my 2020 Sonata. I cannot make a hands free call (make a call by voice) unless my phone is connected and Android Auto is on. If I try without it connected to Android Auto it just says something about phone projection is only achieved with Android Auto? I can answer calls and hit the dial button on the steering wheel and select from my recently called list.

I've looked through the manual a bit and haven't found a solution yet. The phone is "connected" in the settings and the box is checked to allow hands free calling. Bluetooth is also enabled. So not sure what else to do.

Any of you run into this and figure out a fix? My next step is to unpair my phone and try again. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S9+.

The 2021 Sonata has corrected this issue. Not much consolation for 2020 owners unfortunately.

 

[Eric2203]

The 2021 Sonata has corrected this issue. Not much consolation for 2020 owners unfortunately.

No, it hasn't. You still need AA or CarPlay. The difference in 2021 is that you get AA and CP wirelessly on the non-nav infotainment system.

 

[dougary]

Eric... I replied to you on another thread.
The voice phone command does work wirelessly just as it did on my 2018 Sonata. Yes, it requires Android Auto (also wireless using Wifi) to also be connected.
So it works the same only better because now I have on screen navigation on the car's display from my phone.