Can the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Really Park Itself? We Test Smart Park

An affordable car that can park itself with no one inside? Come on, that'll never happen. Except it already has, and the 2020 Hyundai Sonata's delightful "Smaht Pahk" ad showcases how easy the tech can be. To find out how much of that ad was Hollywood magic, we spent some time with the surprisingly attractive midsize sedan.

So how useful is Hyundai's Remote Smart Parking Assist, really?

How Can I Get Hyundai's Automatic Parking Tech?

Hyundai's Remote Smart Parking Assist is only available on the $34,475 2020 Sonata Limited. We suspect it won't be long before Hyundai shares its cool new toy with other models that could include the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, a compact SUV that might benefit from a full redesign.

Tesla offers an even more ambitious Summon feature on Model 3s, but that electric sedan costs thousands more. For now, if you want similar tech on a mainstream car, the 2020 Sonata is the only way to go.

More on the 2020 Sonata: Wetest it here, learn aboutthe 290-hp N Line model here, andexplore the hybrid's interior here.

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How Smart Park Works: Heading Into a Parking Space

Before actor John Krasinski steps out of the blue Sonata Limited in Hyundai's Super Bowl ad, the car is realigned so the sedan doesn't need to do much steering as it pulls into the space. That is key, as the tech is more about pulling the car into and out of parking spaces than it is about recognizing parking spaces in the first place. We tried pulling into a couple spaces in different lots at angles, and the car didn't recognize the lines.

So, your good friends Rachel Dratch and Chris Evans are waiting, but getting out of that tiny parking spot would mean unavoidable door dings as you exit the car. No poorly parked SUV will deter you from that perfect spot; your pride is at stake here. If you don't want to find a bigger spot, just line your Sonata up in front of the spot, hit the auto park button on the center console, and then get out and close the door.

Now, press and hold the parking button on the key fob with the arrow pointing forward—the car will blink and beep, then make a little grumbling noise as it moves forward tentatively at first, and then more confidently. The second you stop holding down that button, the car stops moving. Keep holding down that button until the car's sensors determine it can't go forward anymore—or until you've lost your nerve if you think the car's going to hit something.

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How Smart Park Works: Exiting a Parking Space

This is where the Remote Park Assist feature moves from "Hey, look at me!" to useful. If someone parks too close for you to comfortably get in without dinging the door or brushing your clean clothes against a dirty car, use Smart Park. First, turn the engine on by pressing and holding the engine-on button on the key fob. Then, press and hold the parking button with the arrow pointing backward, and watch the car back up so you can get in.

Smart and helpful.

Smart Park Verdict: Our Initial Review on This Car Tech

If I owned a 2020 or 2021 Hyundai Sonata, I can't see myself using the pull-in part of the tech more than the first time to show my family how it works. That's because any parking lot with only one space left will be crowded, and I don't want to inconvenience others forced to wait as my passengers get out and then the idling drivers must wait and watch my car move forward. Also, your experience may vary, but in our brief and initial testing, the car pulled far enough forward in one location but stopped too short in another.

When you're summoning your car out of a space—or even from a narrow spot in your own home parking spot—none of those are issues. The frustration of seeing someone park too close for comfort quickly dissipates as you follow the steps above, and the car pulls out. It's because of this functionality that Smart Park might last more than just a year or two.

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Is Smart Park Worth It?

For a sub-$40,000 car, I'd probably skip the feature if it were an add-on extra. However, as you'd expect of an automaker as synonymous with value as Hyundai, Smart Park is bundled with tons of other features on the line-topping Limited trim. If you were already going for the 2020 Sonata Limited trim's ventilated front seats, power front passenger seat, or 360-degree camera display, Smart Park is a great addition. Accept the tech's limitations, and it could really help in a couple specific parking situations. It's hard to fault skeptical buyers who've been let down by fancy car tech before, but Smart Park is worth trying at the end of a test drive.

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