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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  great buy - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By v6 - December 5 - 8:18 pm

  after much reseach desidedon the gls- have not been disappointed -38000 miles and noproblems - fuel economy could bealot better

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  Gas Mileage not adding up - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By dynamat - December 5 - 7:13 am

  My main reason to buy a Hyundai Sonata was because I had the 2001 model that never gave me any real issues so to go to the latest model was a no brainier. However I am not that impressed with the engine technology. Considering that my 2001 sonata got around 24 mpg with a six cylinder engine. I thought that the 24c-35h that was on the sticker would be the way to go. I live in Fort Myers and sometimes have to drive to Ft Laud. I figured this would be a perfect test to check the gas mileage. I filled my car with premium gas and set the cruise control to 70 mph. Oh and also turned on the ECO control. Started the 110 mile test at 25.3 mph but finished at 23.9mpg. I lost mileage. That is not good.

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  Great car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By kim - December 3 - 11:20 pm

  After having BMW for years, I got very tired of the very expensive up-keep ($1000 every time you visit the mechanic, and $125 oil change) I decided to buy Hyundai, man what a great decision the car is everything you expect from a car that size plus some. My wife dumped the awful 2009 Camry and now I can not get her out of this Hyundai, it is quite comfortable on a long trip the gps is very user friendly, the dealer is extremely nice. In short I would recommend this car to my mother over in garbage that Toyota is dishing out.

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  1st Time Hyundai Sonata Owner - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By jac0bsdad - December 3 - 8:23 pm

  I have only had the car for eight days but I have a little over 400 miles on it, and Im very pleased so far. The car handles well and has an excellent ride! A very comfortable car indeed... My son calls it "The Luxury Cruiser"... I want to add that I had a 2001 Honda Accord and before that I had a 1993 BMW 325 IS.. I keep cars 8- 10 years, but this Hyundai is certainly as fine a vehicle as the Honda and BMW. Great power from the engine, excellent gas mileage, lots of features like Bluetooth, Dual Zone Climate Control, etc.. I test drove it and 4 hours later, I bought it. I also looked at the new Accord but the seats are way too firm.. I liked the Fusion but the Sonata has more room, etc.

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  Turbo fun. - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By clayman100 - December 2 - 1:25 pm

  For some reason I purchased a Turbo Sonota and wondered why since Im 65. But, since Ive been driving it Im finding it is really fun. Very smooth and powerful. I leave most folks in the dust. Ive had Elantras and Tucsons and this is a pocket rocket. I was spoiled by the Tuscons easy in and out because it is so high. But, Im adjusting to the lower Sonota. The regular Sonota was fast enough so you really dont need all this extra power but it sure is fun and not too hard on your wallet, gas wise. And. it really is easy on the eyes. My brother looks at it and says, man, thats one beautiful car.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By dave_k1 - December 1 - 3:01 pm

  We purchased our Sonata Limited in November 2010. The car is approaching 5000 miles now with mostly around town driving but several 250 mile plus trips. We moved into the Hyundai from a 1999 Toyota Avalon. We had test driven almost every model out there. Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Avalon, Mazda, Ford, Chevy Nissan. Everyone had issues that kept us going back to the Sonata. I think the word here is "balance". This car is a value and I was willing to spend a whole lot more. I did not want to pay for Lexis, BMW, Acura features. We dont feel anything is missing. We did not opt for the Navigation system. Our Magellan GPS works great in the cubby below the HVAC controls.

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  Hyundai Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By MARC - November 29 - 3:50 am

  CONGRATULATIONS HYUNDAI! THE PERFECT SEDAN! I think any family, bachelor, single mom, single dad, all types of buyers will appreciate the looks, value, performance, safety and warranty of the new Sonata. The quality is amazing, I look at Hyundai a lot different now!

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  Better than expected - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cheeshead - November 28 - 7:15 pm

  Bought car with 57K & 16mos later have 84K. Great car. Smoother ride than our Windstar. In fact wife will take the Sonata over the Windstar often. Two dealers in my area wonderful. Even matched price of local garage to keep my business. Only major problem was a missfiring cylinder. After paying $400+ to get spark plugs, engine flush etc done, went back in a week and they had to replace the oxygen sensor. Other than that, it does pull to the left and after alignment steering wheel shakes. also, water in the taillamp...$220+ to fix/replace. Those probs aside, it really has been a great car. Would totally buy another one. 1800+ miles/month got me 25mpg. City has been 22mpg.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Happy Hyundai Owner - November 26 - 1:47 am

  I have had a total of 5 Hyundais​ now (4 Sonata Limited, and 1 Genesis). Ive owned BMW 5 series, and a Mercedes 500 SL (both nice cars), but Hyundai is by far the best bang for your money you can get. My only negative of the 15 Sonata is they didnt offer a v6 in it. Everything else is great. On a side note, my fully loaded 15 Genesis is a better car than either the BMW 5 series or Mercedes E series. The question I get most often when people see my Genesis? "What kind of car is that? A Bentley?"

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  first hyundai, nothing but praises - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pat - November 24 - 6:43 am

  This is my first Hyundai since I have always been skeptical about buying the Hyundai brand. After extensive research, I settled with the Sonata GLS. I havent had too many miles yet since I have only gotten it. The car feels comfortable and everything feels just fine. Its comparable to other Accord, Civic, Maxima that I have/had owned or better. A few things are missing (AUX inlet, steeling wheel mounted radio control etc) but they are not the show stoppers. The good things are it comes with the exceptional warranty (others are copying it too), ESC, all kinds of airbags. Another good selling point is, you can knock off quite a bit from the price. This is impossible for other comparable cars