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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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim - May 19 - 4:33 am

  This is a great car! Handles well with enough pep for city traffic. Average 31 in mixed driving.

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  Great for the price! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kelli - May 18 - 10:06 pm

  I have only owned my Sonata for 1 month, but love it so far! I have 2 teenage boys who need the leg room and Hyundai has done a great job in this car. I also love the fuel economy, since I traded in an Explorer which got 15mpg! Safety was another concern of mine since I will soon be letting my teenager learn to drive in this vehicle.

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  Quite a value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Richard - May 18 - 1:13 pm

  Just got the Limited on 08/11/10. Drove it home from Baton Rouge - about 65 miles. Great driving experience on the highway. Quiet and responsive. Nice interior and instrumentation. I really like the keyless entry and start, the dual climate control, and the Navigation system with XM radio. Of course, the mileage is outstanding. Overall, the car is a "head-turner" and fun to drive.

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  Black leather driver seat backrest wears off. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim Schlidt - May 17 - 1:41 am

  We bought this car new with 1700 miles on It. At 2000 miles the leather on the drivers seat backrest was worn off and was white. Cheap material! The dealership looked at it and said that there had to be something wrong with the material and ordered a new seat cover. It came in and they had the upholstery guy install it. The car now has 5300 miles and the seat is doing the same thing. Contacted the dealership and they said "To bad we replaced it once." Filed a case with Hyundai America and after more than a month, a few ugly phone calls and a lot of emails they told us the same thing and that it was the way we got in and out of the car. They said we slid our butts getting in and out! Really? We needed to put the seat all the way back, get in and put the seat back up. If anyone in the world can get in and out of a car without sliding there butt on some part of the seat I will kiss that butt! I am in the process of trying to trade the car. I am 65 and was hoping this would be my retirement car. DO NOT buy a Hyundai with black leather!!

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  Great Car for the Money - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By bobs66440 - May 14 - 8:51 am

  I have about 8500 miles on my Sonata and I am very happy with it so far. My previous car was a 2007 Infiniti G35X Sedan, so I was expecting a somewhat mundane driving experience, but happily, I was wrong. Its definitely no Infiniti, but a great car nonetheless. The fuel mileage is as advertised. It runs great and has an amazing amount of power for a four cylinder. It has a very comfortable interior/driving position for me and I am very fussy about that. I especially like the light steering, bluetooth, Homelink, satellite radio, comfy seats and the intuitive and easy to understand controls. It is simply a lot of car for a relatively small price.

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  Best New Car I Ever Owned - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By dct - May 10 - 1:23 pm

  Wanted an economy car to replace an eleven year old Pontiac. Got more than I wanted... Fun/easy to drive... Great economy (21/35)... Surprisingly good acceleration for a 4-cyl... Almost luxury level interior. (heated seats, cabin air filter, dual air/heat controls for passenger and driver, I- pod plug-in for sound system, XM radio, bluetooth for cell phone, moon roof, steering wheel radio controls, telescope/tilt steering wheel, heated side mirrors, tire inflation warning system, air bags everywhere, lots of storage compartments, leather seats/steering wheel, 5-speed auto or use it like stick shift, compass, dimming rear-view mirror, home-link garage door openers (3), 8-way power seat)$20,900.

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  would recommend - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jimmyd5 - May 10 - 1:16 pm

  what a great car! much more reasonably priced than Camry, Accord, Altima and equal options and performance. Total cost of ownership is much less considering insurance, excise tax and sales tax. People get spooked by the name, but if you just plan to drive for 100K, why buy anything else. Folks gloat about driving until 200K, but who actually does this. Couldnt be happier with Sonata.

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  9 month review - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By littlesscatz - May 10 - 3:24 am

  I purchased my 2011 Sonata SE in Aug 2010. I have been averaging about 34 mpg driving 130 miles daily. The car has met all my expectation. Smooth ride, spacious, responsive, and great standard equipment. I currently have over 14K miles and the car still seems new. The paint is exceptional and I really like the split leather seats. I was skeptical on purchasing a Hyundai, but so far, the value of this care is great. I really recommend this as a family or first car.

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  Love This Car! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By tkattt - May 5 - 10:50 pm

  Recently purchased a GLS. Love the styling in and out. The car moves effortlessly though traffic and looks good doing it. I get constant compliments and looks from others when Im out.This car far out guns my previous car a 2010 Nissan Altima, and with the Hyundai warranty i dont think ill ever buy anything but a Hyundai. They really hit a home run with this car. I recommend you test drive this car before buying any other in its class!

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  Best we have ever owned... - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By boderman - May 5 - 4:45 am

  I purchased this car after a major exploration project starting with the successes of Hyundais new engineers and this sophisticated beauty. It screams of value, value and yes, more value. Thanks to Audi for allowing Hyundai to hire some amazing engineers....!!! Just look at the crazy safety features like the rear cross traffic alert and then the pixilation on the backup camera is second to none...hands down. Then combined with the best warranty in America, and the new multi-link suspension - it is a CHAMP!!!