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:

• 

  Koreans top the game - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By AeL - July 8 - 6:00 pm

  Bought a 2005 Sonata V6 with everything on it. Loved the car, but needed a CUV for occupation. Mileage on the 2007 Santa Fe SE was miserable. Enough that I decided I wasnt a CUV/SUV person after all. Great CUV, tho, especially for the money. Recently decided I should start looking at sedans once again to get out from under the poor mileage. Took one look at the 2011 Sonata and was hooked just from the exterior styling. I wasnt worried about reliability or safety, since weve owned 4 other Hyundais. What a terrific car for the price, or even for thousands MORE!!! Im still trying to get used to ALL the features on this car and the ride is quiet, punchy and terrific!

• 

  Hyundai tried but Missed - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By RogerThat - July 7 - 5:56 pm

  Hyundai was so eager to make a car to compete with other high class affordable sedans, that they actually missed the main point, reliability and good leadership, i was on my way to work and as i tried to switch to drive the brakes got locked, i could do nothing but call hyundai and they were very rude, i sent it back and got my dream car, the nissan maxima

• 

  Engine Failure - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By Knight - July 7 - 2:45 pm

  I had an engine failure with about 17,000 miles on the car. The engine was replaced, but was not the same car. Competitively priced vehicle, but my experience with Hyundai, dealer services and customer service has been two stars or less. Everybody has different experiences with vehicles, for Hyundai, mine could have been better.

• 

  nice car with a couple of issues - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By 1yearlater - July 6 - 10:23 am

  I have owned this car for about a year now. Owned a Tucson prior and it was in the shop right away. I was given a Sonata as a loaner and loved it, so I ended up trading in the Tucson for a 2008 Sonata. I read these reviews and wanted to comment. This is a great car for the price, it absolutely is great in the snow, can not say the same for the Tucson. However, I do have to agree with another post. When you have the heat on the floor, it comes out through the upper vents, but I have found if you close them, it forces it more to the floor. Also, it has alot of rattles in it, but so does my husbands year old Toyota.

• 

  Snow no go! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By ljb506 - July 3 - 11:53 am

  I purchased a used low miles 2011 Sonata last fall and loved it, awesome gas mileage, up to 40 hwy. inside great, outside great! Winter came late and I discovered it does not get around in snow at all! Ive never had to worry about getting around in snow and I live in a state that normally gets a lot of snow. Had trouble navigating in even 3 inches of snow! Car dealer said they are built light which is why mileage is so good. Got stuck 3 times in a 7 min. commute from work to home. Next day traded it in for an AWD Subaru - I didnt even hesitate to get rid of it. Dependability and reliability is tops on list for a vehicle!

• 

  Good value - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By tstonelaw - July 2 - 4:26 pm

  I put a lot of hiway miles on my Hyundai Sonata, 150-200 mi/day and I must say, for its size, its very comfortable, miliage is about 30-31 at hiway speed with air on, but it only has 3700 miles on it, (not really broken in yet). Sound system is great, car is exceptionally quite except road noise which is a minimum considering.The trunk is suprisingly large and the back seat is roomy and comfortable. Some friends have a 05 model and theirs is what sold me on the care. So far,yes, I would buy another.

• 

  ugly duckling grows up - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By commuter2work - June 28 - 12:33 pm

  Sonata is by far the best value for the money. I started out looking for everything else but a Hyundai, but on a whim I test drove the Sonata. It is hard to believe that the Sonata is built by the same company that sold the Excel... The 4 cyl is a bit weak but for an everyday commuter it works well.

• 

  The poor mans rich car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - June 26 - 6:03 am

  This car is awesome for the price you pay its even unbelievable. I a big guy and i mean almost 300lbs and i fit like a dream and im 6 feet tall. Awesome fits like a glove thank god i didnt get the suv.

• 

  Nice Car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eric - June 25 - 9:36 am

  Great family car. I wanted something Safe reliable and cheap. With standard Electronic Stability Control, the 10 year warranty and a great price, I was hooked. Since buying the car I have found it to be very comfortable, very quiet, and it even looks pretty good. I like having the MP3 capable CD player and all the extera features. While not the nicest car on the road, it is without a doubt, the best value on the road. I highly recommend it.

• 

  OK car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff - June 24 - 10:28 pm

  I bought my Sonata 6/04 and traded it 4/07 with 77K miles. It was comfortable, but with the 4cyl acceleration left something to be desired (with no MPG benefits to show- 22mpg, mostly hwy, in the winter, 24- 26 in the summer). Reliability was questionable (in the shop 3 times with emissions issues, 1X brakes, 1X fuel pump). My friend has a V6 Sonata with none of the issues, better MPG and much more power. It was comfortable, interior used cheap materials but put together well, and I did like the car. I will buy another Hyundai (but not when putting 25-30K miles a year on the car), may buy an Elantra or new Sonata to compliment my new BMW (2003 model) for when an auto trans would be nice.