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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  Solid Value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By sigma - December 13 - 1:00 pm

  Purchased my Sonata in May 2009. After careful research, (Edmunds very helpful). To date, I have but one puzzling issue with this vehicle. 5spd auto-transmission seems to "search" for proper gearing while operating. Notice from other owners of this model vehicle finding the same incidence involving transmission. This aside, all else with this vehicle is quite acceptable. Cheers!

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  Satisfied whit my sonta - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By orland135 - December 11 - 7:26 am

  As previous owner of a Dodge Durango I have to said the Sonata is the best. I walk in to I Love Lee Hyunday of Fayett and Ms Quiomara take good care of me. I love this car, and my family and friens fall in love whit it.

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  Second Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By duaned - December 10 - 7:30 pm

  Purchased a new Limited with everything except nav system. Traded a Toyota Avalon and no regrets. Recently returned from a 2500 mile road trip and no problems. When not fighting a head wind, managed 32 mpg at 79 mph with the V6. Overall city around 22 mpg. This car has plenty of power and conveniences. Climate control works very well. Mostly quiet car except on textured, pebbled roads etc. (May change tires for quieter ride) Very little wind noise. Front buckets ok but a little short in the seat and leg room for a taller person. Cant stretch out legs when driving. Love the XM radio but expected a more refined sound from the Infinity system.

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  Kudos All Around - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ExCubsFan - December 10 - 5:33 am

  Overall, like most, I find this car a great value with comfort and convenience equal to the equivalent Accord and the Camry. In addition to all the positive things said about the Sonata, Id only add that I find the mileage I get to be perfectly suitable. In easy city driving, Im averaging about 23.5 mpg, and after a 2000-mile interstate trip I just completed, I averaged 28.5 mpg going 75-80 mph, even with one tank of 10% ethanol gas. This seems to me most reasonable and very much in line with the 30 mpg the car lists for a lower speed. Given those figures and all the other positives about the car, its hard to beat for the price: nice look, good power, overall decent comfort.

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  Midsize comfort - compact price - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By ems1 - December 8 - 5:00 pm

  Traded a 02 Elantra for a 09 Sonata. Nice step up. Got a great deal on the Sonata. It has every thing I wanted in a car. 4 cylinder performance is adequate. Of course more power would be nice but why sacrifice the fuel economy? I rented or test drove nearly all the competition and found the Sonata, all things considered, to be as good as any of them. When I factored in the price and warantee, the Sonata comes out ahead of the competition.

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  Glad I Bought It - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Driven It A Year Now - December 8 - 4:46 pm

  Had this car just under a year and approaching 10,000 on the odometer. Couldnt be happier with the car: I average slightly over 30 mpg on the highway, its quiet as a cemetery and I havent experienced any of the minor gripes that Ive seen other owners contend with. Recent road trips of 500+ round trip miles didnt fatigue me at all. And call it luck or diligence, but I dont have a single ding on any part of the body. This is the first vehicle that Ive owned that I take to a hand car wash, and it looks as good as the day I drove it off the dealers lot. Wouldnt hesitate to get another Sonata, but Im going to wait til any kinks are worked out of the Genesis and get a 2012+ model.

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  I LOVE MY 2000 SONATA! - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By SuzQue - December 8 - 4:33 pm

  Original owner of 4cyl 5-spd model and get 32/45 mpg after 5 years/68,000! Interior is roomy & comfortable for long road trips handling is agile a/c is ice-cold. Timing belt tensioner failed when I was thousands of miles from home, but dealership in Buffalo, NY quickly took care of it under warranty and put us back on the road to finish our vacation trip same day. Local Houston dealer has handled recalls and other warranty matters very well. Price & warranty got me to try it (always a Toyota buyer before). Id buy another Sonata & have recommended to others!

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  Hyundai From My Son - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Reggie - December 7 - 4:50 pm

  Being the previous/current owner of 4 Accords, 1 Integra, 1 Pilot, 1 Prelude and a CRV I am a Honda Aficionado I decided to take a chance with a Hyundai. My son is a car salesman so he sold us a Sonata SE and adhered to the price range I told him to stick to. The car looks beautiful and the performance is phenomenal given its price-point. The fit and feel is on par with Mazda but not up to par with the Accords I have owned. The overall package exceeds the rival Accord or Camry. The engine is nice but needs just a bit more refinement. I am happy being the owner of a 2011 Sonata SE. I am also proud that my son and his dealership treated me and my wife like we were special. You go son.

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  needs a better drivers seat - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By bob - December 7 - 6:14 am

  I bought this car for the price and now I will buy another, it is great, only down side on long drives the driver seat needs more cuhining, Other than that the car is perfect

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  Hyundai Sonato 2005 - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pam Colina - December 6 - 3:48 pm

  driving is easy, ride is comfortable and quiet. good response with dealer and salesman. helpful on phone. feel safer with the side airbags.Air conditioning is great for here in florida.