2022 Hyundai Sonata

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2022 Hyundai Sonata Review: The Sensible Choice

The Hyundai Sonata has come a long way and can no longer be described as a nondescript Korean family sedan, as previous generations were. I mean, it's still a Korean family sedan, but it looks great and offers a ton of value. The 2022 model goes mostly unchanged, but that's not a bad thing. From the base model up, you get class-leading safety features, and right at the top, the N Line model offers impressive performance thanks to a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That's better than even the most powerful Honda Accord can muster, but the 6-cylinder Toyota Camry is still more powerful. You can also go for the efficient Sonata Hybrid with its 192-hp powertrain. The Sonata's build quality is excellent, the drive is composed, and the safety levels are class-leading - it has the goods to compete with its strong-selling Japanese rivals.

Read in this review:

2022 Hyundai Sonata Changes: ๐Ÿš™Whatโ€™s the difference vs 2021 Sonata?

The Sonata car recipe remains mostly unchanged for the 2022 model year. Still, Hyundai has added the Night Edition trim, which is basically a cool-looking appearance package offered on the sporty N Line. The SEL Plus comes with last year's Tech package features as standard, including premium equipment like a Bose sound system and a panoramic sunroof. Another smaller change is the addition of dynamic voice recognition for the Limited, while the Sonata Hybrid Limited is now available with remote smart parking assist.

Pros and Cons

  • Impressive fuel economy
  • Lots of standard features
  • Good build quality
  • Excellent value
  • Smart interior design
  • Firm ride
  • Awkwardly high driving position
  • It's not very entertaining to drive

Best Deals on 2022 Hyundai Sonata

2022 Hyundai Sonata Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP)
SE
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
8-Speed Automatic
Front-Wheel Drive
$24,500
SEL
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
8-Speed Automatic
Front-Wheel Drive
$26,250
Hybrid Blue
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
6-Speed Automatic
Front-Wheel Drive
$27,350
Hybrid SEL
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid
6-Speed Automatic
Front-Wheel Drive
$30,100
SEL Plus
1.6L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
8-Speed Automatic
Front-Wheel Drive
$31,450

Hyundai Sonata Sedan Exterior

Other than its frowning face, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata sedan is an attractive car, and we appreciate the wild tail light design, but most will struggle to distinguish it in a parking lot filled with Kia K5s and Honda Accords. The wraparound lighting signature at the back around the Hyundai emblem is quite striking, though. All Hyundai Sonata models get standard LED headlights with automatic high beam assist and solar control windows. SEL models add heated side mirrors and a few styling changes. The N Line features a unique front and rear fascia along with a rear spoiler, and the N Line Night adds a few tasty carbon fiber pieces, dark chrome badging, red-painted brake calipers, and some matte black trim on the mirror covers and upper door handles. The base model is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, which grow up to 19 inches on models such as the N Line. From the SEL Plus and up, a glass sunroof is fitted. The top-spec Hybrid Limited has a solar roof as standard.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Frontal Aspect CarBuzz
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See All 2022 Hyundai Sonata Exterior Photos

Dimensions

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata is classified as a midsize car and its dimensions speak to that. It measures 192.9 inches in length, making it shorter than both the Kia K5 and Honda Accord, the latter measuring 196.1 inches in length. The Sonata is 73.2 inches wide when you exclude the wing mirrors and is 56.9 inches tall with a ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The wheelbase is 111.8 inches.

The lightest Sonata of the bunch is the entry-level SE which has a curb weight of 3,120 pounds, while the heaviest of the lot is the N Line at 3,552 lbs. In the hybrid lineup, the Blue trim starts at 3,325 lbs, while the SEL and Limited weigh up to 3,530 lbs.

  • Length 192.9 in
  • Wheelbase 111.8 in
  • Height 56.9 in
  • Max Width 73.2 in
  • Front Width 63.5 in
  • Rear Width 63.8 in
  • Curb Weight 3,192.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

The sleek Sonata is offered with seven different exterior paint colors, ranging from mild to slightly less mild. These toned-down colors perfectly suit the mature nature of the Sonata; you won't find any Octane Reds, Hellraisin Purple, or British Racing Greens here. The colors on offer are Hampton Gray, Silver, Phantom Black, Blue, Portofino Gray, Quartz White, and Calypso Red. The N Line Night is exclusively available in the Black or White. Hybrid models have Hyper White instead of Quartz White, and some hues are limited in their availability.

  • Quartz White +$400
  • Calypso Red, Build Out: 11/30/2021 +$400
  • Hyper White +$400
  • Calypso Red, Build Out: 11/30/2022 +$400
  • Phantom Black
  • Nocturne Black
  • Shimmering Silver, Build Out: 11/30/2022
  • Portofino Gray
  • Oxford Blue
  • Hampton Gray
  • Shimmering Silver Pearl, Build Out: 11/30/2021
  • Stormy Sea, Build Out: 11/30/2021

Sonata Performance

When you think "performance sedan," the first car that comes to mind will never be the Hyundai Sonata, and that's perfectly fine. The Sonata was never meant to be a BMW M3 contender but was instead designed to provide a pleasant and relaxed driving experience. The base model and SEL make use of the only naturally-aspirated engine in the range and offer sedate performance but good fuel consumption. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivers slightly less power but, more importantly, provides a good amount of lowdown pull for drivers who are used to forced induction. Independent tests have shown that this powertrain can get the Sonata to 60 mph in a decent 7.3 seconds. All hybrid models pack a 192-hp punch but feel a bit lazy and will take around eight seconds to reach 60 mph according to independent tests.

The powerhouse of the bunch is the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine found in the N Line models. With 290 hp and 311 hp on offer, the N Line feels peppy and is one of the quickest FWD cars around with a 0-60 mph sprint time in the low five-second range, making it a true wolf in sheep's clothing.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Badge Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Sonata Rim CarBuzz
2022 Hyundai Sonata Engine Hyundai

Engine and Transmission

There are three engine options on offer for 2022, starting with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. In this configuration, the Sonata isn't going to push you back in your seat, and the lack of low down torque can be frustrating for some, but there's more than enough power for city driving and highway cruising is comfortable; just know that with a heavy load, acceleration times will be drastically affected. Next up is the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder available in SEL Plus and Limited trims. This punchy little gem offers 180 hp and a more substantial 195 lb-ft available, much lower in the rev range compared to the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter motor. This is the engine to get if you're after the best balance of performance and fuel economy.

Hybrid models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine which makes just 150 hp and 139 lb-ft. However, the combined output is 192 hp with the electric motor. Power is sent to the front via a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup is punchy enough, but the transition between gas and electric propulsion isn't especially smooth. N Line models offer the most impressive performance and are powered by a turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine churning out 290 horses and 311 lb-ft of torque. The N Line vehicles are quick and make for excellent highway cruisers, too, thanks to a ton of midrange punch. All cars besides the N Line make use of an eight-speed automatic transmission that's smooth but intuitive enough when needed. N Line cars get an N eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters which makes the Sonata even more engaging to drive.

  • Engines
    1.6L Turbo Inline-4 Gas, 2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid, 2.5L Inline-4 Gas, 2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
  • Transmissions
    6-Speed Automatic, 8-Speed Automatic
  • Drivetrain
    FWD

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Hyundai Sonata has never been an enthusiastic handler, and its dynamic ability has traditionally rested on the side of neutral, bordering on bland. The eighth-generation Sonata is a pleasure to drive if you're looking for a composed driving experience that holds no surprises. In non-performance guise, the Hyundai Sonata offers light steering feel that's perfect for city commuting and enough feedback and grip to keep most civilians happy. Although on the stiffer side, the suspension setup does an excellent job of soaking up road imperfections, but lacks any sort of real feel in the corners and isn't as sharp as the athletic Honda Accord. Stepping up to the performance-orientated N Line changes things up. With bigger brakes and a more dynamic chassis setup, the N Line delivers a more engaging driving experience but still manages to feel comfortable and composed over rough road surfaces. We don't think Hyundai ever wanted to go for the all-out sports car feel here and has instead found a healthy compromise between driving fun and comfort.

2022 Sonata Gas Mileage

Hyundai clearly put some thought into its choice of powertrains for the 2022 Sonata. There's plenty of pep on offer, especially from the two turbocharged offerings, yet all three engine options return impressive fuel economy. The base model fitted with the 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine will return 28/38/32 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Without the stop-start function, this engine's gas mileage works out to 27/37/31 mpg. The more feisty 1.6-liter turbocharged model will manage 27/37/31 mpg. Stepping up to the high-powered 2.5-liter N Line will see those numbers drop to 23/33/27 mpg.

The base model is fitted with a 14.8-gallon fuel tank and will manage a maximum range of 474 miles. 1.6T and 2.5T models are equipped with a 15.9-gallon tank. The N Line will see a maximum range of 429 miles.

For the hyper-mile fans out there, the Sonata Hybrid is the car to go for. In Blue spec, you'll get a stunning 50/54/52 mpg, and the rest of the hybrid range will still impress with 45/51/47 mpg. By comparison, the Honda Accord Hybrid manages a best of 48/47/47 mpg. With a 13.2-gallon fuel tank, the Blue has an amazing range of 686 miles.

  • Fuel Tank Capacity
    14.8 Gallons
  • Fuel Economy
    City/Hwy: 27/37 mpg
* 2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL 2.5L

Hyundai Sonata Interior

Most manufacturers have gone with the sleek and minimalist look commonly found in Audi and VW models, and that's not a bad thing, but it is slowly starting to get a bit generic. Those who are into this type of interior design will love the Sonata's cabin; it's a clean-cut design and well-built. In fact, it's so classy and tightly screwed together that it feels more luxurious than the Sonata's asking price would suggest. Hyundai has gone for a mature and impressively refined feel inside the cabin, and the build quality continues to impress, especially in the more luxurious Limited trim, which boasts near German levels of refinement. There are many features to make every drive comfortable, and top trims enjoy the likes of dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Steering Wheel CarBuzz
2022 Hyundai Sonata Central Control Panel CarBuzz
2022 Hyundai Sonata Steering Wheel Controls CarBuzz
See All 2022 Hyundai Sonata Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

This midsize sedan offers ample space for four adults and five at a squeeze. Those in the front get a generous amount of legroom, while back-seat passengers get just under 35 inches of legroom. Headroom is more than enough in the front and back for six-foot occupants. Base models get a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a four-way front passenger seat upholstered in cloth fabric. Higher up in the range, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, a six-way power front passenger seat, leather upholstery, heating, and ventilation also become standard. N Line models get unique sport front seats with Dinamica microfiber inserts.

  • Seating capacity
    5-seater
  • Front Leg Room 46.1 in
  • Front Head Room 40.0 in
  • Rear Leg Room 34.8 in
  • Rear Head Room 38.4 in

Interior Colors and Materials

The base model and SEL are fitted with comfortable cloth seats in your choice of Black or Gray, and the SEL Plus gets Black Dinamica upholstery and a leather steering wheel. The Limited trim is the only Sonata offered with standard leather seats and these come in Dark Gray/Camel, Black, and Gray. Both N Line derivatives come with unique N Line sports seats with Dinamica/leather upholstery, and aluminum sport pedals.

The Sonata Hybrid Blue and SEL models have black or Dark Gray cloth seats, and the Limited has leather in the same colors plus one other option - Dark Gray with Camel. It's worth noting that interior colors are dependent on which exterior color option you choose.

Sonata Trunk and Cargo Space

Midsize family sedans will always be required to offer decent trunk space and will spend most of their lives carrying families and their stuff. The Hyundai Sonata fits the bill and provides a decent amount of cargo space but falls short of class leaders. Pop the trunk, and you'll be greeted by 16 cubic feet of cargo space. That's a solid number and comes close to matching favorites such as the Honda Accord, which offers 16.7 cubes. The trunk opening is wide, and the space is easily accessible. For those that need to get rid of large amounts of evidence, the Sonata's rear seat folds 60/40 and opens up even more space.

The Hyundai Sonata's interior storage is average. You get a center console storage bin, a small nook in the front for a cellphone, a glovebox, a sprinkling of cupholders, a seatback pocket on the passenger side, and some door pockets.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Trunk Space CarBuzz
2022 Hyundai Sonata Maximum Cargo Space CarBuzz
2022 Hyundai Sonata Cargo Room CarBuzz
  • Trunk Volume
    16 ft³

Sonata Infotainment and Features

Features

With such an extensive range of trims to choose from, new buyers have all the options in the world. The base model obviously offers the least, but you still get advanced driver assistance features such as forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, and driver attention warning. A six-way manual driver's seat and air conditioning are standard. Next in line is the SEL, which adds handy features such as an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and proximity key entry with push-button start. The SEL also includes advanced safety tech such as blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning. The SEL Plus adds some extra luxuries such as a panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 12.3-inch LCD cluster.

N Line models get special sport seats, 64-color ambient interior lighting, and a unique leather steering wheel. The Limited is the most premium of all and includes heated and ventilated leather front seats, remote smart parking assist, a surround-view monitor, and a color heads-up display. There are a few subtle differences for the hybrid model; for instance, you'll need to get the top hybrid Limited for the 12.3-inch LCD cluster.

Infotainment

Hyundai understands the value of a good infotainment system and the 2022 Sonata benefits from a pretty impressive unit that offers all the modern tech you'd expect from a 2022 model year car. The base model gets an eight-inch touchscreen display with HD Radio, Bluetooth streaming, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration. SEL models add SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link. The SEL Plus gets some significant upgrades in the form of a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and traffic flow, dynamic voice recognition, and a powerful Bose sound system with 12 speakers. By comparison, the lower two trims have a more basic six-speaker sound system.

The operating interface is easy enough to use, and the addition of voice recognition in higher trims is a welcome addition. We would recommend stretching for the larger 10.25-inch screen, as the eight-inch screen can feel cramped.

Sonata Problems and Reliability

The Sonata is well known for its reliability, but the 2022 model hasn't started off the year on an excellent footing and has already been recalled for a possible fuel leak out of one of the pipes connecting to the high-pressure fuel pump on 2.5-liter turbocharged engines. No recalls have affected the 2022 Sonata Hybrid at the time of writing. J.D. Power rates the Sonata at 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability.

Hyundai will back the Sonata with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, a commendable ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance regardless of miles covered. Hybrid system components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Warranty

  • Basic:
    5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
  • Drivetrain:
    10 Years \ 100,000 Miles
  • Corrosion:
    7 Years \ Unlimited Miles
  • Roadside Assistance:
    5 Years \ Unlimited Miles
  • Maintenance:
    3 Years \ 36,000 Miles

Sonata Safety

The NHTSA's Hyundai Sonata safety review was encouraging, as the sedan scored a full five-star overall rating. The IIHS was also highly impressed with this Korean sedan and gave it a 2022 Top Safety Pick award for its efforts, which include six top scores. These ratings are proof that the Sonata is an exceedingly safe car.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

  • Overall Rating
  • Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
  • Side Crash Rating
  • Rollover Rating

Key Safety Features

With five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, you'd best believe that the 2022 Sonata is packed with some of the best safety features in the class. All models get traction and stability control, nine airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and side curtain airbags.

Standard driver assistance features include forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, high beam assist, a rearview camera, rear occupant alert, and driver attention warning. Smart cruise control is standard, too. The SEL model adds blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, highway driving assist, and safe exit warning. Limited models add parking collision avoidance assist at the back, a blind-spot view monitor, and a surround-view monitor.

Verdict: ๐ŸIs the 2022 Hyundai Sonata a good car?

The Hyundai Sonata of old was a forgettable also-ran that ticked most of the boxes required of a budget-friendly sedan but failed to inspire any sort of enthusiasm or desire from the car-buying public. To combat this, Hyundai offers the latest Sonata in sporty N Line configuration. Not only does the N Line look better, but it's pretty quick too, handles with more enthusiasm, and offers more feedback compared to the slightly dreary base model. The engine choices are also impressive: the 1.6T is a nippy little motor, and the 2.5-liter turbo engine does a convincing job of launching the Sonata out of the starting blocks. At the end of the day, you're still looking at a reliable, safe, and comfortable Korean sedan that won't break the bank and comes packed with all the modern tech and safety features you'll ever need. Some are more practical, and others are more fun to drive, but the 2022 Hyundai Sonata does it all rather well.

๐Ÿš˜What's the Price of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata's prices will be good news for customers seeking a high-value family sedan. The base SE starts with an MSRP of $24,350, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,045. That's nearly two grand cheaper than the 2022 Honda Accord. The SEL goes for $26,100, and the SEL Plus crosses the $30k mark with a price tag of $31,300. The sporty N Line hikes that price up to $33,600, the Limited costs $34,250, and the N Line Night is $34,750. The Hyundai Sonata's USA pricing remains one of the sedan's top selling points. Competitors for sale in the USA include the Honda Accord which starts at $26,120.

The Sonata Hybrid costs $27,200 for the Blue, $29,950 for the SEL, and $35,550 for the Limited.

New Hyundai Sonata Models

In the US market, there are six different trim levels to choose from in 2022, so finding the right one shouldn't be too difficult. A further three hybrid trims - Blue, SEL, and Limited - complete the Sonata lineup.

The SE represents the base model of the range and is powered by a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine. Standard features on the SE include manually-adjustable cloth seats, manual air conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen display, and driver assistance features such as lane following assist and smart cruise control.

Next up, the SEL shares the SE's engine and transmission but adds numerous features. Most notably, the SEL adds an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic, and safe exit warning.

The SEL Plus trim continues the trend of adding more luxury features and most notably offers a standard panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, a 12.3-inch LCD cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and a Bose sound system with 12 speakers. Under the hood, the SEL Plus also gets a more punchy 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.

N Line models are powered by a 290-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and gain special chassis tuning and unique N Line features such as a sporty leather steering wheel, sport bucket seats, and 64-color ambient interior lighting.

Limited models revert back to the 1.6L turbo engine but offer the most in terms of standard features and feel decidedly upmarket, thanks to standard leather upholstery along with heated and ventilated front seats. The Limited trim also raises the tech levels significantly with a surround-view monitor, a color head-up display, parking collision avoidance assist at the back, and a blind-spot monitor.

Finally, the N Line Night Edition comes with all the go-faster bits offered on standard N Line models but adds some extra visual drama in the form of a carbon fiber trunk lip spoiler, red-painted brake calipers, dark chrome front badging, dark chrome rear badging, matte black mirror covers, matte black upper door handle covers, and a set of matte black 19-inch alloys with carbon fiber center caps.

In the hybrid lineup, the Blue is slightly better-specified than the base gas-only SE as it has dual-zone climate control instead of manual air conditioning. The Hybrid SEL adds wireless device charging, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and heated front seats. Finally, the Hybrid Limited is the most expensive Sonata of all and comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, and leather upholstery.

See All 2022 Hyundai Sonata Trims and Specs

Additional Packages

With most features baked into the trims, the Hyundai Sonata's cost won't change dramatically by adding options. There are no optional packages available for the base model, and the SEL is the first to be offered with the $2,200 Convenience package, which adds premium features such as a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and a Hyundai digital key. N Line models are offered with optional summer tires for $200, and there are tons of smaller accessories available across the board, including cargo nets, wheel locks, and mudguards.

๐Ÿš—What Hyundai Sonata Model Should I Buy?

There are three ways you can go when buying a new Hyundai Sonata. The first way is to go for a sensible, fuel-saving economy sedan, the second is to go for the high-performance N Line, and the third is to meet somewhere in the middle. We'd recommend going for the SEL Plus, which strikes a good balance between cost, standard features, and performance. The SEL Plus is the first in the range to be offered with the feisty 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and also adds a solid amount of standard features, including a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a 12.3-inch LCD cluster.

If you care about running costs, there's no beating the Sonata Hybrid's superb efficiency, although it does initially cost a bit more to buy than the equivalent gas-only model.

Check out other Hyundai Sonata Styles

2022 Hyundai Sonata Comparisons

Hyundai Elantra
Kia K5 CarBuzz
CompetitorHorsepowerMPGPrice (MSRP)
Hyundai Sonata191 hp27/37 mpg$24,500
Hyundai Elantra 147 hp33/43 mpg$20,200
Kia K5 180 hp29/38 mpg$23,590

2022 Hyundai Sonata vs Hyundai Elantra

The Sonata is Hyundai's largest sedan offering in the USA and sits one class above the Elantra. As the bigger car, the Sonata gets a bigger and more powerful 2.5-liter engine in base form, and both make well over 250 hp in N Line (Sonata) and N (Elantra) flavors. The Sonata again offers the most powerful engine option when it dresses up as an N Line with 290 hp from its 2.5T engine. Inside, the Sonata provides more front legroom, but the smaller Elantra has significantly more rear legroom on offer. The Sonata has a bigger trunk at 16 cubic feet. Both cars offer a solid amount of tech and modern driver assistance tech in terms of standard features. The choice between these two cars will boil down to your budget and your space and cargo needs. We'd go with the cheeky Elantra N Line.

See Hyundai Elantra Review

2022 Hyundai Sonata vs Kia K5

The Kia K5 has never looked better and, in our opinion, is a more attractive car than the Hyundai Sonata. Under the skin, they're very similar. The Kia has the edge from the word go, as it offers the peppy 1.6-liter turbo engine from the base model up instead of the Hyundai's 2.5-liter engine. The Kia also scores major points for offering the K5 with AWD. The interior of both cars is impressively modern and well put together, but the Kia K5 provides slightly more legroom in the rear. Both vehicles offer a solid 16 cubic feet of trunk space. These cars are closely priced, but at the bottom of the range, the Kia offers a better engine at a lower price, and the same goes for the top-end model. The Kia K5 wins this battle.

See Kia K5 Review

Hyundai Sonata Popular Comparisons

The most popular competitors of 2022 Hyundai Sonata:

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