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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  Best car ever - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By harrelson marie - January 4 - 9:01 pm

  i love this vehicle this is by far the best vehicle that i have ever owned

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  Needs Improvement - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By ems1 - January 4 - 11:28 am

  I bought the car because I thought it was a good value for the money. There are a lot of great features even in the base model. Steering problems and poor paint along with the dealers inability to fix the problems make this car unacceptable. If you are thinking of buying one, go over everything like you would if you were buying a used car. Quality control is not where it should be. Be sure do do a long test drive and look for steering problems, especially right or left pull.

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  Awsome Car! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By djaz89 - January 4 - 6:53 am

  This car is amazing, recently traded in my jeep compass for it. Love the leather, it does not feel cheap some other models do. Love the gas milage as well, i am avering 27 combined highway and city. All the features are nice such as the steering wheel controls and reverse camera. I love the metallic paint, i have a white sonata and it glistens all the time. The only problem as stated before, is that it seems to want to pull to the left a little on its own. It happens more often at speeds between 20-40 though. Overall, great car with a smooth ride and great luxury features. I get asked all the time if it is really a hyundai, or a lexus or bmw

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  No! - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Todd - January 3 - 4:13 pm

  Get something else. Not reliable - needed new door locks TWICE, water pump, exhaust. Now the mechanic says it needs a new engine. I have no pressure in one of the cylinders. Airbag light is on, dealer cant fix it. Cruise control doesnt work. Stock CD player wouldnt eject anymore and had to be replaced. Transmission searches for correct gear on the slightest of hills. Headlights burn out every 2 months (yes, I am installing them correctly without touching the glass). Car now has a very loud squealing noise when turning the wheel in a parking lot. Traded it in for a Civic today.

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  The Sonata is a Winner!!! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ron - January 2 - 6:53 pm

  It drives flawlessly and stops on a dime. It is quiet and fun to drive. I wish I bought it sooner. The car looks great. Gas mileage has been great for the break in period. I have gotten 26 miles per gallon on first tankful- combining city and highway mileage. Thats great for breaking in engine. This car is heads above the competition. A winner. I made a great choice purchasing the car. The warrantee is the best also.

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  Fun - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By beth goetz - January 2 - 2:53 pm

  The car is very quiet. Great pick up....looks good. A very enjoyable car.

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  Best bang for the buck! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By pekelopd - January 2 - 11:30 am

  Had the car for 2months and only got 500 miles in. Still breaking it in.

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  Beware! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By cjohnsen - January 1 - 1:35 pm

  I bought my 13 sonata based off the great reviews people have been leaving. It has a great design and a good price compared to competitors. However, after 3 months of ownership less then 3500 miles my car has broken down 3 times now. The first time I went to go start my car and it wouldnt start. For 3 hours myself and others tried restarting the car but it never started. Finally a tow truck came and towed to dealer. Dealer told me that night they couldnt duplicate the problem. So basically oh well take your car home, its fine now. Im sure he car magically fixed itself, right? Wrong! Died again 2 days later. After being there 2 weeks it comes home. Now a week later my ac isnt working!

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  WOW~~ - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By JK - December 31 - 2:56 pm

  The Sonata Limited is loaded with features. You name it, it has it. Except for Navigation. But other than that, it has all the options Id ask for and for the price that I cant imagine with any other manufacturer. I have about 6000 miles now and enjoying it everyday.

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  Owner From S.Korea - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jake - December 28 - 9:26 pm

  I current own a Korean-built New Sonata aka NF Sonata in Korea. It is an absolutely hot ride. I used to have 03 Honda Accord. But Sonata is a winner! Two thumbs up..