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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  Sonata is Great - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tod - December 28 - 10:13 am

  This car rides smooth, great 6 cilinder engine. It is a joy to ride. The styling is like a Audi with clean lines.

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  Love my Car, Comfy, convenient controlls - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barbara Herring - December 26 - 10:42 pm

  The disappointing part: before I bought it, Consumer Reports said to use caution when purchaseing a vehicle in its first year of redo and updating., (2011 in this case). I loved this car right away with all the technology, comfort, easy access to controls, over the top temperature comfort. I sit on a pillow to give me better views, not conducive for short/medium dirivers. expecially when checking out windows traffic , blind spots seem to be a challenge. I wish there were some high tech sollution (standard equipment) to this problem. I took off the rear head support restraint so I could see a little better. But as with everything you adjust to mangage the drawback. Standard safety equipment should be standard in every similar vehicles with the same challenges. My love affair became strained when I checked for recalls and tech reports. Their were approx 10 RECALLS. of which few could be fixed, but they couldn,t get repair parts to repair the problems. I have had steering coupling ordered for 7 months. The driving mechanisms is deteriating, expect to send me into the drink! I check Carflex, they already show "12 reports". One man RECALLS, I am cautioned about hight risk of loss of control, lose brakes, chance of fire. Scarry! WHAT CAN I DO?? CHECK LEMON LAW?? SELL IT TO ANOTHER SUCKER??

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  I Love It! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By llopes - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I spent alot of time looking for a Sedan (was driving and SUV) and this is the one I wanted. Couldnt beat the price or the warranty. Every time I get behind the wheel I feel like Im driving an expensive sports car.

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  HYUNDAI GLS V6 - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By BR G.R. MI. - December 26 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR FOR THE PRICE HYUNDAI HAS DONE A GOOD JOB ACROSS THE BOARD. HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A MOUNTH BUT VERY PLEASED SO FAR. FIRST HYUNDAI WE HAVE OWNED. GET LOTS OF POSITIVE COMMENTS. HYUNDAI SHOULD NOT FITTLE WITH THEIR CURRENT ADVANCES IN LOOKS QUALITY AND PRICES. KEEP THE CUSTOMER AS THE FOCUS AND WE WILL LOOK AT THEIR OTHER VEHICLES FOR OUR NEXT PURCHASE. KEEP THE PURCHASE EXPERIANCE AT THE DEALER SIMPLE. WANTED TO CHARGE ME $425 FOR DEALER PREP. AFTER THEY UNDERSTOOD WE DONT PAY FOR THESE NEEDLES EXTRA CHARGES THE NEGOTIATION GOT MUCH SIMPLER AND AGREABLE FOR BOTH PARTIES.

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  8 Month Review - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eric - December 26 - 8:53 am

  I have 16000 trouble-free miles on this car. This is my second review. My wifes 2008 limited with 20000 miles has also been a great car.

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  Sonata FL - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jarrod - December 25 - 9:16 am

  The ride is exceptionally smooth. At 80mph on I95 still the same and handling that with 2300 rpms. Received 35mpg on the way home...gotta love it!

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  Wont go back to Accord! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By A former honda nut - December 24 - 11:23 am

  After driving a Sonata for a week as a vacation rental car, I knew it was the car for me. I was about to purchase my fifth Honda Accord, but in terms of value for the money, the Sonata is a winner hands down. It combined everything I wanted in a car, all the bells and whistles, with a very sweet price. It rides beautifully, is very roomy even for four people, is beautifully appointed and is easy to drive. The leather seats are very comfortable and driving position is excellent.

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  Still a great ride - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul Cocke - December 24 - 2:10 am

  My 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T, which I bought new four months ago, has more than 5,0000 miles on it and I can report no problems. The build quality is excellent - no rattles or squeaks. A few observations: * The turbo engine works great. You wont win any drag races, as it is a bit slow to get started, but once you get going the engine pulls effortlessly. I commute 60 miles a day through the rainy Cascade Mountains of Washington state and it is a very pleasant ride. I am getting 26-27 mpg combined and about 31 highway mpg. Taking the advice of my salesman - and encouraged by low gas prices - I use premium gas. The turbo seems to like that. * The smart cruise is excellent. I use it all the time. The blind spot warning already has prevented an accident or two. * Love the backup camera; the lane departure system is annoying but I leave in on for safety. * My grand children love the pull-down shades in back. * The car handles quite well. I never use the paddle shifters but do switch between eco, regular and sport driving modes. Sport seems to do better in the rain but cuts down on gas. I use eco around town. * I wish the car had fog lights. While the LED lights look cool they do not help with visibility. * Navigation works well and the car stereo is excellent. Between Pandora and XM radio my commute is much more interesting. * My biggest complaint is the automatic trunk opener. You can stand behind in with your keys in your hand for minutes and nothing happens. Then you casually walk by and the stupid thing opens. Still love the car. I have been watching and these 2015s have good deals right now. Wait until the end of the month for better deals. Negotiate ruthlessly and dont worry about the color. And dont be fooled by the addition of the stolen car service (a waste of money - your auto insurance likely covers it)

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  Great balance. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By jcjc78 - December 23 - 4:18 pm

  My family has always bought Hondas or Toyotas, but we dont really care for CVT transmissions. We decided to check out the 2015 Sonata just as a backup option, but we were very impressed. It doesnt do anything exceptionally well, but it is just such a good car overall that we purchased two of them: one for me and one for my father. It isnt fast, but it has enough power. The ride isnt soft, but it isnt rough or harsh. It doesnt get hybrid mpgs, but I average over 32 mpg with almost no highway driving. The interior styling wont win any awards, but it is very easy and intuitive...and spacious. Overall, a well built machine. Quite pleased with our decision.

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  Nice car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By paul - December 22 - 12:13 pm

  So far no problems with the car. Drove it for 3 months and 3200 mi. It looks to me that ac should blow colder air but its not summer yet so we will see later. Getting only 25 mpg driving mostly on highway. The best I got was 28 mpg but I had to drive slow not exceeding 70 mph