Hyundai Sonata Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.48/5 Average
3,413 Total Reviews
Model Overview:

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:

Showing 1011 through 1020 of 3,413.00
  • fun ride - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
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    I like the comfort and all the extras that are standard. The quickness makes it fun to drive, I jump from zero to forty in seconds.

  • Best Car Yet I Have Ever Owned. - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
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    I Have owned many cars before but when i tried this car out on a test car and found that the power was outstanding cornering was exeptional and comfort was past comparison to anything I have owned before. I was sold before I exited the freeway, I will buy another sonata again without a doubt. Its about time a good car was made and to high priced.

  • Surprising Performance - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
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    I stopped in to just take a look and walked out with the paperwork. Very impressive and different feel than what I expected from a Hyundai. Pretty decent HP at 235, decent pickup and a nice feel to the car in all situations tested. Quality inside and out with a solid feel to doors and trunk lids. Loads of safety features and airbags everywhere. I was pretty impressed with the quality and the price at $23k was just an added benefit. I chose this over the Accord V6. The cars I now lease and drive include a Saab Aero 9-5 Turbo and a Mercedes E320. It is the Saab that the Sonata is replacing. Not quite as fast as my Saab Turbo but still quite acceptable and $15,000 less!!!!!!!!

  • Personal experience - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
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    I am 69 years old and I found my perfect car in the Hyundai Sonata. I have been looking for a new car for 6 months. This car has it all. Quiet ride, roomy, plenty of zip getting onto freeway, good looks, good price. I have been getting between 24 & 26 MPG around town. The only option I bought was the power seat and I am glad I did.

  • Lovin it - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
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    I LOVE this car! Ive been spying the Hyundai Sonata from the first time I saw it. Being a person who gets what she needs rather than what she wants...I had to wait untill I needed a new car before I could buy one. I bought my goreous Sonata last month and I am lovinit! It is so sweet. The way it handles...drives on the highway...awesome. It is so good looking and comfortable I feel like Im getting away with something. Do yourself a favor...test drive this sweet ride.

  • Camry Killer @ $15K - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
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    The manual transmission has a learning curve for the "Hyundai" clutch bite. But all is well given the necessary muscle memory to produce clean first and second gear shifts. Pedals seem close together and not power adjustable here. Tilt wheel, not telescoping. Nice seat height handle. The ride is smooth and quiet if not cream puff. The engine is refined and willing. The interior is both big and expensive looking with a quality fit and finish. Although the door lock button feels cheap as a light weight plastic. There is a big trunk with a split fold down rear seat. We are still above 1/2 a tank with 250 miles showing. The XM radio has spoiled us and our livingroom Lazyboy misses us.

  • My first Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
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    My 97 Lexus ES 300 was beginning to age and needed repairs. I decided instead to purchase a new vehicle. After a ton of searching, I settled on a 2009 Sonata. Ive put over 500 miles on it and have loved every second of it. After comparing it to the Accord, Camry, and Malibu, I chose the Sonata because I liked it better, regardless of price (even though price was lower). The cabin is very nice and I do not feel as though Ive downgraded from my previous Lexus. My initial estimates have me getting around 29mpg with about 50/50 city/hwy driving. Although some people seem to take issue with the steering/handling of the Sonata, I love it. I drive soft and easy, so the car matches my driving well

  • Ole Reliable - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
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    This 2005 Hyundai Sonata was my first car and I loved riding it. Drove it many miles never did I encounter any roadside problems. This car is reliable in the purest form, it gives first time drivers a luxury experience at a low cost price, with amenities that other first car drivers do not experience (power windows, sunroof, power seats, etc). The only trouble I ran into with this car was that only a minimal amount of times the muffler would either rust out or flat out break, and the antenna that goes up and down every time the car starts. The car is great and I would recommend this to any first time driver.

  • 2 Litre Sonata CDX Auto. (UK Spec). - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
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    Well, what can I tell you?.......I thought long and hard before buying my Sonata, but what a good choice it was! Only things to go wrong in three years of ownership was a sensor broke down inthe engine, (easy fix warranty), and a sidelght bulb blew, 5 minute job to put right I love driving this car, and occasionally, when I am in hurry up mode, I use the "tiptronic" gear change, I have to say that this isnt very often, as I mostly prefer to drive at a more relaxed pace and let the auto do its stuff, which it does with super smooth aplomb! So far I have 42000 on the clock, which is low mileage for the year. Great car, highly recommend!

  • best car ever owned - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Great mpg, strong motor & smooth tranny, handles well, smooth ride, comfy seating, love bluetooth, dependable..

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