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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  Will not disappoint! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata SE Fan - June 13 - 10:00 am

  The Hyundai Sonata SE is the best looking out of all three models. I dont know why other reviewed as noisy and that it has a stiff ride. Believe me, ride is JUST PERFECT. Definitely worth a look if youre in the market for a sedan. You will fall in love with this car, trust me!

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  I Am Impressed. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By mark - June 10 - 2:03 pm

  Im 55 years old and have purchased many vehicles thru the years. My last being a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ which is an " entry Luxury Car" This Sonata blows it away. When I first went for a test drive I was impressed when closing the door and hearing a beautiful "Thup" sound which showed me quality.I read EVERY review on the internet before I made the decision to purchase. Car is tight and drives with a heavy car feeling. Enough power, more then the Zephyr which is a 6 cyl. Beautiful in black. I was going to buy the 2010 Taurus which is also nice but to big and probably slow due to its weight. I cant believe I bought a Hyundai.

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  On my third Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By bdb07 - June 8 - 5:44 am

  Ive owned the 03, 05, & the 11 sonatas, and I am sold on the car. I love the look, the reliability, & gas mileage of the car. The front seat is a little uncomfortable. Its just shaped unusual. I love the bluetooth hookup. The stock stereo sounds good, but I dont blast my music. My window tint is holding up very well. I love the huge trunk, & the fact that you can tip the back seats down to make room for longer items from the trunk. Stock tires didnt last long at all, but Ive replaced them with better tires with long warranty. The car rides quiet & handles great. When Im ready to buy another car...I will be looking at another Hyundai

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  Best BAng For your Buck!!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Thundercat - June 8 - 3:33 am

  I was going to buy an Accord or Camry when I decided to also test drive the 08 Sonata SE. As soon as I got it in, I knew it had something special.I couldnt find an 08 when I was ready to purchase it so I decided to get the 09 Limited V6 instead in Willow Gray(nice color!). It offers an excellent, comfortable, & quiet ride. 30 days and 1,015 miles later heres the scoop: Mileage is about 17-18 mpg/local and Im averaging 23-25/hwy.(Not bad considering its a 249 Horsepower/6 Cylinder). The ride is very smooth and responsive. The bottom line is this: Dont worry about its resale value, save your $, and go with it. At least test drive and consider it vs. its peers.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By swork - June 7 - 6:56 pm

  Ive had this car for over two years now and its been very comfortable and reliable. A cv boot needed replacing a year ago, but was completely covered by the warrenty. Otherwise, the car has given me no problems. The ride is a little "boaty" and the gas mileage is something like 17 miles to the gallon. . .which in these times is not great. However, I feel its a great deal for the money involved.

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  Great car for the price - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Raja - June 6 - 5:50 pm

  After renting cars for the weekends for six months, and thereby driving a lot of cars extensively, I purchased Sonata. And Im happy I did it. I got a GLS with all options included, for $18500 (including 7.75% tax). The nearest rival in the same category, in terms of features and ride quality, would have been a Camry SE. Thatd be $6000 more, at least. Ive driven the following cars extensively (tested them as my potential next car): Civic, Accord, Corolla, Camry, Malibu, Cobalt, Maxima, Sentra, 9-3, Sebring, PT Cruiser, Caliber, Avenger, Elantra etc. and found Sonata delivers the most for the price. maxima and 9-3 have far superior ride and handling, but costs a whole lot more.

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  very good car - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By young46 - June 6 - 8:29 am

  i returned my 2013 sonata from lease and got another one. 15 sonata is little bigger and more comfortable and better mpg. one thing i did not like about 13 was all the blind sights but they fixed on 15. i have 10 thousand miles on it already and and this one is giving me 540miles per a full tank of gas and not as sporty as 13 but it is ok.

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  Sweet Ride! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Manny - June 5 - 8:10 pm

  Good power, great handling, I dont know what they are referring to saying the handling isnt very good, I love it. Had a Honda before this and this tops the Honda head over heels. XM radio is awesome and the infinity sound system blows people away. Gas mileage is about 25 mpg average between city and freeway. I drive mostly in the city, so i think that 23 mpg in the city is pretty good. About 31 on the freeway. All in all a great ride and I would highly recommend!

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  Excellent Value - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By 4below - June 5 - 8:56 am

  This vehicle is an excellent value for the features it provides. It is stylish and comfortable to ride in. Handling is good and the engine develops plenty of power for accelleration and Interstate cruising. I tested VW Passat and Nissan Altima. Those are very nice vehicles, but cost far more for the features the Sonata LX offers. The 10/100,000 warranty eases any concern over long term reliability of this vehicle

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  Cant be touched for d price!!!!!! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Russ - June 4 - 7:50 pm

  Leased a 2011 Sonata this weekend after test driving 4 different Infinities. Not to say that this car is better than any of those that I test drove, but the value that you get with this car is absolute mind boggling.