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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  Great Value.....Better than Camry - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robert - March 28 - 12:53 pm

  I bought this car for $15,700 last December. I have driven to Florida twice from Maryland (About 6000 miles) I normally put around 12,000/year in my commute in the DC Metro area. I want the readers to know that I was also hesitant to purchase a Hyundai. I did substantial research and for the price this car is the best deal for the price. I have had Camrys and Accords and I truly cannot see any difference in the ride and hopefully reliability. I am 110% satisfied with my purchase and would strongly recommend this car to anyone in the same boat I was in last year. Another aspect to consider is the 10yr/100,000 power train warranty..I guess I will have this car until at least 2019... Bob

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  Best Value In Price Range - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By frankiewainkie - March 28 - 1:53 am

  Its a pure pleasure to drive. Oh so comfortable! Definitely sufficient power. Unbelievable sound system with the navigation option. I only have a few minor complaints. 1) IPod connection should be "compartmentalized" to keep it out of view. 2) no outside temperature display when navigation map is on. 3) cannot select your destination using just a phone # as with Honda. 4) I dont think it recognizes voice commands for phone call. These are not major issues, however, & they did get everything else right. And of course they blow the competition away with their 5 year/60000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. They HAVE TO BUILD THEM BETTER!

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  hyundai sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By lewisroseville - March 24 - 10:00 am

  surprising pleasant nid-size car to drive for the money that normally I pay for a subcompact car

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  Hyundai Sonota is the Perfect Vehicle - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Casey Klein - March 21 - 10:36 am

  I have owned my Sonota for 2 months now and it is the best car that i have ever driven. I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and this car has more leg room, head room and shoulder room then the Accord or any other competitors and it drives so much better as well. The price was great, there is no better deal out there when it comes to buying new.

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  Wasnt sure at first - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By William C - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Needed a new car that had a good warrenty for the amount of driving I do. Wasnt sure about the Hyundai but after testdriving and looking I went for it. The best choice I made.

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  BEWARE....FALLING APART - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lori - March 19 - 7:32 pm

  Beware...this car is falling apart. Im reading all of the reviews and how happy owners are about their Sonatas. I am extremely UNHAPPY. I just took it into the dealer and it will cost me approximately $2000 to repair. The airbag light wont go off and cost $481 to fix-not covered under warranty. How is a safety device not covered under warrenty? They said theyare not sure why a belt is making all of this noise but they will have to take the engine apart which with permission is oveer $280 and then I need to replace the timing belt and any other parts. They said they cant diagnose the problem without doing all of this work. I still owe $10000 on this piece of junk!

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  This car is a dog - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joe Doherty - March 19 - 10:56 am

  1- Dashboard hardware falls apart 2- Excessive tire wear even though dealer maintained - rotate and balanced. 31000 miles on car now and it is ready for tires 3- This is the third flat tire I have had 4- Windshield wiper mechanism fails often 5- For some reason tail lights burn out often, this is the second time. 6- Automatic side view mirrors do not operate well....they move but not enough. 7- I would not buy another Hyundai

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  Just about perfect! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By craiggb - March 19 - 12:36 am

  It has been a year now since we bought this car - our first Hyundai product - and I must say that after having owned new Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans plus many other brands, none of them have been flawless like this Sonata. Power is excellent (and on regular fuel too, fer crying out loud), very quiet to drive, decent fuel economy, especially considering the size of the car - wow. I still like the looks and the V6 engine is great. The stereo was a bit tinny at first but I guess the speakers needed to break in because it sounds excellent now. Service has been oil/filter changes and that is all. Nice work Hyundai!

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  Good car could of been great - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By GregNice23 - March 18 - 11:23 pm

  I love the interior and exterior styling of the car. I wish the cars rear did not look too much like the 05 Accords, it needs its own identity. The front seats are very uncomfortable. The seat belt warning light does not turn off if you are not wearing one. The suspension is horrible, you feel every bump. It is not as silky smooth like an Accord or Camry. The steering wheel radio buttons serve no purpose, all they change is the volume and not your presets or cd track. It needs break away mirrors. This is a nice car but if they fix all my complaints this car beats an Accord and Toyota hands down, but it doesnt and this is why Hyundai will never beat a Honda or Toyota. It will always be # 3

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  Best Car I ever owned - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Carmen - March 15 - 3:13 am

  I cant wait to get up in the morning and drive this car. I had a 2002 and a 2006 Sonata all trouble free and enjoyable to drive but they do not compare to the style and performance of the 2011. I cant believe the low fuel consumption for a car this big and powerful acceleration. Too early to tell about reliability but if it is anything like my previous Sonata ownership I will be very happy. No matter where I go the car is a head turner. Most of my friends did not think it was a Hyundai. A lot of car for the money. The bluetooth is amazing and should be mandatory in all new cars. Just touch the button on the steering wheel and make or answer a call via the radio.