Hyundai reveals it has sold more than 5 million Sonata sedans worldwide since first launched 25 years ago.

Hyundai Sonata mid-size sedan, which has made its inaugural premiere 25 years ago, has reached the sales of 5 million units, reported Hyundai Motor Company recently. This is already the third Hyundai vehicle to achieve this important milestone after the subcompact Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Elantra car which broke the same mark in 2001 and 2008, respectively.

According to Hyundai, sales of Sonata sedan exceeded 1-million units back in 1994, while the 4-million sales mark was achieved in 2007. Less than three years after, the popular Sonata mid-size car added another 1 million units for a total of 5-million cumulative sales.

Out of all 5 million Sonatas sold worldwide, more than half (2,7 million units) were sold in the South Korean market, where the model has been in great demand ever since launched two decades and a half ago. The rest were sold overseas. Sonata’s largest market overseas was (and still is) the U.S. market, which accounts for two thirds of total sales.

The first generation Hyundai Sonata sedan was launched in 1985. It was built on a rear-wheel-drive platform and featured a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. Only three years later, in 1988, it was replaced by a new model. The second-generation Sonata adopted front-wheel-drive system.

A few years later, Hyundai unveiled the third generation Sonata sedan, which was the very first Korean car equipped with standard front airbags, while fourth generation model, launched in 1998, was mounted with the high performing Delta engine that was developed entirely with proprietary technologies.

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The fifth-generation Sonata sedan was the first Sonata model to be developed with overseas consumers in mind. The model featured innovative 2,4L four-cylinder Theta engine and segment leading safety features. Sales of fifth-generation Sonata sedan surpassed 1,5 million units worldwide.

With the launch of brand new, sixth-generation Sonata, Hyundai’s opening a new chapter in its history. The all-new 2011 Sonata sedan combines the automaker’s latest “Fluidic Sculpture” design language with the most innovative vehicle technologies currently available.

The model features top safety features and boasts an outstanding performance thanks to its state-of-the-art 2.4L Theta GDI engine. Although it has been on sale for less than one year, the Sonata has already received a plethora of vehicle awards, including the Top Safety Pick from US IIHS. It was also picked as the best vehicle among eight mid-size sedans in “The $25,000 Family Sedan Shootout” held by Cars.com, MotorWeek and USA Today.

And most importantly, the all-new Hyundai Sonata has been very well accepted by consumers. Hyundai Sonata sales went through the roof recently. With more than 21,000 units sold in May, the Sonata achieved its personal best sales month in its history and made it into the top ten best selling vehicles in the U.S. market for the second consecutive month.