Overview & Reviews
The Hyundai Sonata is a comfortable and likable midsize sedan that proves Hyundai can build cars that are not just easy on the pocketbook, but easy to live with as well. Like most vehicles in the midsize sedan class, the Sonata offers front-wheel drive, numerous safety features and a choice of trim levels that include sporty and plush variants. Setting the Sonata apart, however, is Hyundai's lower pricing and outstanding warranty coverage.
For the most part, the Sonata has kept getting better. The current model, in particular, is the most competitive to date. In addition to the strong value proposition, this Hyundai adds a few things previously not seen in this conservative nameplate -- namely, daring styling and sporty driving dynamics. Newer pre-owned Sonatas are also a solid choice, but models prior to 2006 remain a risky used-car proposition.
Current Hyundai Sonata
Although it's classified as a full-size family sedan by the EPA, the Hyundai Sonata still competes in the midsize segment. It's available in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Even the base car comes well equipped, while the SE features sporty suspension tuning and the Limited pampers its passengers with more luxurious features.
The standard engine on every Sonata trim level is a 2.4-liter direct-injected inline four-cylinder rated at 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-exhaust SE with the same engine makes 192 hp and 181 lb-ft. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine generating 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque is available on SE and Limited models. All Sonatas come with a six-speed automatic as standard.
Whether serving family car or commuter car duty, the Hyundai Sonata is a nice place to be thanks to its spacious cabin, comfortable seating, solid build quality and quiet highway ride. In reviews we've found that the Sonata provides spirited acceleration as well as responsive handling, with a slightly firm but still comfortable ride. Fuel mileage is also impressive, with 30 mpg being a realistic number for conservative drivers in mixed conditions. Our only notable gripes concern the relative lack of rear seat headroom for adults and a somewhat rough ride for the SE model. Overall the Sonata is rather impressive and deserves serious consideration from those shopping for a family sedan.
Used Hyundai Sonata Models
The current Hyundai Sonata represents the fifth generation in the car's lineage, and was introduced in the 2011 model year. That following year, the Sonata picked up the Blue Link telematics service and a higher-resolution navigation system display. A manual transmission was available for the Sonata GLS for these first two years, but was discontinued after that.
These Sonatas produced prior to 2014 differ in a number of minor ways. Styling was ever so slightly different, while they lack standard driver-selectable steering effort and the availability of certain features like xenon headlights and a blind-spot monitoring system. Also, the 2.4-liter engine made 198 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque (200 hp and 186 lb-ft for the SE) versus the current car's somewhat lower ratings.
The previous, fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata was produced from 2006-'10 and is really the only other version worth considering as a used Sonata. Initially, three trim levels were offered: GL, GLS and LX. The sophomore year saw a shuffling of the trim levels to the current format. Most notably, the sporty SE version debuted, wearing 17-inch alloy wheels and foglights.
Originally, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder produced 162 hp and was standard on the GL and GLS trims. A five-speed manual was standard (GL only for 2006) and a four-speed automatic was optional with this engine. Optional on the GLS and standard on the LX, SE and Limited was a 235-hp version of the 3.3-liter V6, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. For 2008, the four-cylinder became standard on all trim levels and the V6 became optional. That year also saw a few more standard features added to the SE and Limited trims.
The biggest changes occurred in 2009 when engine outputs were increased (175 hp for the inline-4 and 249 hp for the V6) and the interior was spiffed up with a new dash and higher-quality materials. There were also two notable additions to the features lists -- a standard auxiliary audio jack and an optional touchscreen navigation system.
Prior to that, the cabin had respectable build and materials quality along with a precise feel to the controls. But it wasn't nearly as top-notch and had odd placement of the audio and climate controls -- the former was placed too high and the latter too low. Beyond that, the spacious cabin remained unchanged, and although the exterior had a few nips here and tucks there, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between Sonatas of this generation.
At the time, we found that the fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata prioritized ride comfort over precise handling. It smothered bumps well and delivered a luscious highway ride, but with its significant body roll and vague steering, it wasn't particularly fun to drive.
Power from the efficient four-cylinder engine was competitive, and although the V6 wasn't quite as potent as those in rival sedans, it still got the job done while returning good fuel economy. Inside, soft, high-quality plastics were plentiful, and the overall design was eye-pleasing.
Pre-2006 Sonatas remain a risky used-car proposition even though depreciation means they can be found at a bargain-basement price. Only in recent years have we seen the kind of build quality and structural integrity that might portend long-term durability.
Nevertheless, the previous (third) generation Hyundai Sonata was originally introduced for 1999 with a vastly improved appearance, far better engines and significant improvements made in noise and ride quality versus its lamentable predecessors. The base car featured a 138-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the GLS had a 159-hp 2.5-liter V6. These numbers may be different from what you'll find elsewhere, since Hyundai misstated its horsepower ratings prior to 2002, giving the Sonata 11 more horses than it actually had. As such, you'd be best to stick with Sonatas from 2002 or later, which were characterized by even nicer styling, a better interior and a legitimately more potent V6.
The second-generation Sonata was introduced for 1995 and offered improved fit and finish compared to its predecessor, but that's not saying much. It now had dual airbags, but no more power under the hood. For instance, the V6 only produced 5 more horses than the four-cylinder. For 1997, the Sonata was restyled dramatically, but not necessarily for the better. All in all, we'd avoid this car.
The same goes for the original Hyundai Sonata, first launched in 1989 to give Hyundai a player in the midsize family sedan game. Aggressively priced but sloppily built and saddled with weak, unrefined powertrains, the boxy first-generation Sonata did little to change the public's perception of Hyundai cars as cheap in more ways than price.
User Reviews:
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MY BABY JAG!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
By JOY - September 13 - 9:49 pmMy first car ever was the Excel she treated well through out those harsh Chicago winters. So I moved up to the Elantra she treated well also. So I said what the heck get the Sonata. I think the 2004 has the best body build of all the Hyundais. I love the quick speed pick up of that V6 engine, those horses just win durby evry time. I have not attemped to use that shift gear, for what? I still get asked what kind of car is that when I am at the car wash. People call it a baby Jag. The back spoiler I had installed gives it such a arrow dynamic look and feel. When I let my friend drive it one day and she drive up in it, I was like is that me!!!! Yes! I am very happy with my baby Jag
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Exceptional value-Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Tom N - September 13 - 10:13 amAfter taking a test drive on the Sonata I was sold. I have been very impressed by the fit and finish of the car. I am getting the 20/30 fuel rating listed and have enjoyed riding either to the store or on the road. Has great acceleration and is fun to drive. The LX is extremely quite and has a very big feel to it. Once people start to learn more about the new Sonata they will become more popular than the Camery ar Accord. Great value, best safety features available, and excellent quality. Best kept secret around. Great job Hyundai
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My Toyota Rival - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
By john gibbons - September 13 - 2:00 amgreat car in price and value
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Excellent Buy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By Dave - September 12 - 11:46 amI recently purchased the Limited V6 with NAV, Leather, Bluetooth. Have about 700 miles. Averaging 28.5 MPG true Highway, 24 MPG Limited city, 21MPG City. Overall very impressed with vehicle. Drove the Camry and the Sonata blew it away in comfort and styling. Only knock is slight hesitation in acceleration after decelerating. Nav performs great and much smaller than most vehicles and touch screen a plus, Bluetooth has good performance. The fit and finish is far superior than the 2008 Sonata. Seats are very comfortable and dual zone temperature control feature is awesome although temperature seems to run a little hotter than actual. Purchased car during 2K rebate. No regrets with purchase.
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Love this car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By Robert Gravel - September 11 - 10:54 pmIve owned my Sonata V6 Sport since new from March 2009 til now (Feb 2015) and theres 71,000 km on it.Its been flawless the whole time except 2 years ago I had to get the TPS replaced under warranty (a known issue that I knew about before buying this car).Ive stuck to the maintenance schedule and again its been perfect.I replaced the battery last year but having a battery last THAT long is pretty good especially when I do a lot of city/short distance driving.
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Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Acer - September 10 - 8:56 amI traded my 01 Blazer for this car mainly for fuel economy. My only complaint is that Hyundai does not offer a rear spoiler and the car does not come with automatic locks. The 17" wheels offer a much stiffer ride than what Im used to, but its not bad. The interior seems spacious, but I think Ill have to get a smaller childs car seat for comfort of rear seat passengers.
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Great car, Fun to drive! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
By Mish32 - September 9 - 5:03 pmI was coming to an end on my lease with my 2007 Camry and was in the market for a new car. I had looked at Camrys again, but wanted something different. Thats when I came across the 2011 Sonata. I loved the car the minute I saw it. I loved it even more after I drove it! I ended up getting a GLS with the popular package which added a few nice extras (alloy wheels, ipod hookup, floor mats, etc). What I loved about this car was that it had a sporty look, without the sports car price. It drives smoothly, has great pickup on the highway and is a really quiet ride. Everywhere I go, this car turns heads. Definitely a car you need to look at if you are in the market for a new car!
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My last Hyundai...Period! - 2014 Hyundai Sonata
By golfr013 - September 8 - 9:24 pmI purchased a Sonata Hybrid Limited in April of 2013. About a year later, it seemed that an occasional panic stop would cause the car to stop abruptly rather than pulse to a safe stop. After noticing that it seemed to do that each of the few times that I applied the brakes in that manner, I took the car to the dealer, asking them to also check the brakes for a banging noise occurring each time the brakes were applied when coming to a stop sign/light. Many months and service calls later, my VA Lemon Law attorney suggested that I might want to avoid Hyundai or Kia if I ever expected to have my interests considered. I traded in that piece of @)$(*^* as quickly as I could!
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Poor Quality - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By Disapointed - September 7 - 12:43 amI purchased the 09 Sonata GLS Manual with the intent to save money, not be inconvenienced every month. During the 8 months I have owned the vehicle it has died multiple times, starting at 1205 miles. The problem was traced to a faulty O2 sensor, but has had a skip and hesitation ever since. When I insisted the issue be solved, the lead mechanic said it was normal and they all do that. At 12000 miles the vehicle was blowing clutch slave cylinders every 2-300 miles, which required removal of the transmission to get to. After the fourth one was replaced and the vehicle being in the shop for an accumulated 58 days, I sought legal help because Hyundai would not return my calls. Cant recommend it
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2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A) - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By gwh2 - September 5 - 9:55 amGreat Car! I have get 40 Miles per gallon/6.9 liters per 100 liters on the highway and 35 Highway - City mixed. Just past my second anniversary and the 50,000 Km mark. I have done only regular maintenance. I appreciate the great dealer service too. I cannot say enough positive about the car as it is still just like new. I drove a Volvo before this and the Sonata is a superior car never mind the value for dollar you get!