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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  Awesome New Style - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By TH - October 4 - 12:33 am

  We purchased our Sonata SE in February, 2010. We absolutely love it. Everywhere we go, everyone seems to be staring at the vehicle. We purchased the 2011 Sonata sold at our dealership, so few people knew what is was. Our vehicle is Venetian Red. We get compliments on the vehicle everywhere we go. Some have mistaken it for a Lexus.

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  sunroof shattered - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Andrew 1554 - September 30 - 6:43 am

  I was very happy with the v6 limited version up until the sunroof shattered. Driving along on the highway with no trucks or cars around, not near any underpasses, and then a great big crack and wooshing wind noise. Dealer is running away from the issue, I read other people had this problem. The car was four months old when it happened. All glass is covered with no deductible so it wont cost me anything, but there is no question that this is product defect not a stone.

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  Love this car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By R P - September 29 - 6:24 pm

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  Beautiful inside & out! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By seximobile - September 28 - 11:13 pm

  The redesign is a lot more fluid and curvy than last years box. I test drove last years 08 sonata and it only had ok power. The upgrade on the new four-cylinder feels like there is more power off the line and highway passing. If I lived in hilly terrain, I would purchase the v6 but when I climb hills, I use the shiftronic and it goes just fine. Exterior is beautiful and Pearl White is stunning. Could go without steel wheels, but the covers have a Nice design. Interior is very Nice with high quality cloths and plastics. Good stereo.

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  less than satisfied - 2014 Hyundai Sonata
  By roscoe103 - September 28 - 3:11 am

  gas mileage not what was advertised transmission shifts into higher gears at the wrong time. took it back to dealer and was told it is running as designed. that is there standard answer instead of trying to fix it. complained to Hyundai and that was a waste of time. beware of the advertised fuel mileage, although I am sure it is an industry wide problem of not getting what is advertised as far as gas mileage

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  Wonderful vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Enfurno - September 27 - 7:26 pm

  I absolutely love my Sonata. It is fun and exhilarating to drive. Performance is definitely there, comfort is top notch, and the features are second to none for the price that you pay for this wonderful machine. Not too mention it is the best looking sedan on the road today. If you are thinking about the Sonata and comparing it to other sedans then stop and buy right now because no other sedan even compares.

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  Sonata 2.0 T - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By artie512 - September 26 - 6:14 am

  I purchased the car in Oct 2012 it was destroyed in the Sandy storm I liked it so much I purchased the exact same model no problems performs as stated

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  Im disappointed!! - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By jean - September 25 - 12:07 pm

  i bought this car brand new.had no problems with it. bought another car and gave it to my daughter 1.5 yrs ago. she had the tires changed and found a huge hole in the subframe rusted from the inside out. the car has 106000 miles and Hyundai will not fix it. i have never heard of a 6 year old car frame rusting through in half. my daugher could have been killed. i trusted my Hyundai. it is definitely a faulty parts problem.

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  After 5,000 kms, this car is as close to perfect as.. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By cnauta - September 23 - 8:01 pm

  It has been 3 mos. and 5,000 kms of pure excitement for me as I have put this car through everything imaginable. The mileage is amazing, about 47 MPG (Canadian) on the highways, in the city I get about 31 MPG (Canadian). The vehicle is quiet unless under hard acceleration. This is one of the smoothest cars I have ever owned and there is not even a glitch of a problem to be found on this vehicle. If you get one, get it fully loaded with the Turbo !

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  Great value - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By howies - September 21 - 2:25 pm

  You get a great value compared to other cars in its class (e.g. Camry, Accord). Especially since what comes standard on this car will cost you a lot more elsewhere. Reliability rating for this Sonata generation was a big plus as well. Would be nice if Hyundai cars wasnt tethered to XM radio (initial trial period) but offered a free HD radio instead. The Bluelink (like OnStar) are also subscription-happy offers that I will never take and a waste of technology on my car. Other automobile companies do the same thing so this is a general industry trend I despise.