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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  New king of mid-size - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By soulquarian - June 30 - 12:58 pm

  Other than reliability, everything about this car beats my previous ride - the 07 Accord. And the only reason the Accord scores higher in reliability is because Ive only had the Sonata for a week and a half. Time will tell. Prior to purchasing to Sonata GLS, I test drove the 2011 Accord SE and Fusion SEL. How did I go from mid-level trim to base? Well, the base level Sonata offered everything, and at times more, the mid Accord and Fusion came with. The Accord had the smoothest ride but the Sonata had the best all around package. Ey-catching styling, peppy acceleration, overall smooth ride, amazing standard features, and excellent mpg. This has got to be the car of the year.

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  Better than the Accord - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By miamitraveler - June 30 - 2:30 am

  Just traded my 2010 Honda Accord ELX for the 2012 Hyundia Sonata GLS. I had considered the 2010 Sonata but I found the interior too cheap looking and then purchased the 2010 Accord. Well what a difference two years make! The 2012 Sonata is a thing of beauty inside and out. The interior is nicer looking than the Camry, Altima, Audi, and BMW. While not as roomy as the Accord particularly for rear passengers, it still offers plenty of leg room. The ride is super smooth and has much better pick up than the Accord. I got all of that in a car that was thousands of dollars less than the 2012 Accord. The Accord is a good car but its looks, interior and exterior, are just plan boring.

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  Owners Review - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alton Utsey - June 24 - 5:41 pm

  This vehicle is one of the best handling vehicles I have ever owned. It is simply a fun car to drive. Quality is top of the line when comparing other vehicles I have owned. You just dont get tired of driving this car.

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  Worth of Price - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kumar - June 24 - 4:50 am

  Ive had my 2009 Hyundai Sonata for about 2 months and I still love it! I was looking for a fuel- efficient, has comfort with good interior and in low budget. I had everything I realistically needed in a car...Best of all is that its MAINTENANCE-FREE(oil and air filter change only) in normal conditions for 60K miles.

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  Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Skim - June 23 - 1:03 am

  Impressive exterior design-comparable to the Lexus ES model superior to competitors, Camry and Accord. Feel reassured by the warranty and safety features.

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  Smooth ride - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vince - June 22 - 3:40 am

  I love this car, Ill buy it again. The 235 horses are strong and the ride is quiet.

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  I Love my Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joe G - June 21 - 9:06 pm

  Let me start by saying that I researched and test drove about every car under $23K prior to picking the Sonata. In doing my research I made price the least important so I could be sure that I got the car I wanted without price being the driving force for my decision. I needed a car that I could put 3 kids in sometimes but got good gas mileage since I travel a lot. I found that the Sonata had more interior room in every aspect and trunk space than any other car in its class and got comparable mpg. The build quality is easily equal to that of its Japanese rivals. I was going to buy the V6 but opted for the 4 banger. It has tons of torque and adequate acceleration. Best car Ive ever had.

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  Say NO to Hyundai - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - June 20 - 5:52 pm

  Beware of chronic "check engine" warnings. Prepare to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for faulty sensors: input and output. Hyundai will capture the public with a low/reasonable price tag but the REAL cost of ownership begins the day you take it home from the dealer. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN hyundai!

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  the way to go for less - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By bryan ducayne - June 16 - 9:59 pm

  I had to have a reliable and safe car in 2004 to take my wife for her cancer treatments. The sonata filled the bill.

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  Im in Love - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Linda - June 15 - 1:33 pm

  About a month ago, we visited 2 Hyundai dealerships. Looked at many of its peers on internet before the face- to-face visits. For the first time in 20 years, I ventured out of the Acura domain. I fell in love with this model, it has all the bells and whistles found in Acura. I was hooked on the Sonata after the test drive. It is a sharp looking car that has already gotten rave reviews by complete strangers whenever I am in town.