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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  So far It Rocks! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Silvaflight - September 22 - 7:30 am

  Well this is my first Hyundai and we bought it on a total whim!! The salesman was great and the car rides and performs like none other I have owned. Love the performance of the V6 and the handling of the car. Also the size of the trunk is great. If this is how all Hyundais are I am a Hyundai guy for life!

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  Comfort, bells and whistles but still cheap - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gaius Gracchus - September 22 - 1:24 am

  If you are after a vehicle that has a lot of space and nice features - like a backup camera, adjustable passenger seat (height, too!), automatic mirrors, etc., for a low price, you may consider the Hyundai Sonata 2016. It has tons of passenger room and the seats are pretty comfortable. The turning circle for a car this size is great (much better than the Accord, for example). It also has a surprisingly quiet ride and is not too bumpy. However, Hyundai still does not know how to make a good engine. When you start your car in the morning, it rattles and taps like an old sewing machine. After a bit it quiets down. Also, at a stop when you are idling, it will start to vibrate a lot. It sometimes seems to shudder upon acceleration or even sometimes coming to a stop. Thankfully it has a good warranty, but if you do not follow the maintenance rules exactly, they will void your warranty in a heartbeat. It is probably best to get them to do the oil changes, even, so that they cant say you did not do it properly. Hyundai is notorious for trying to bug out of honoring their warranty.

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  hyundai gls sonata..2004 - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By douglas andrews - September 20 - 2:00 am

  just bought my hyundai a week ago....totally satisfied

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  Exceeded all of my expectations - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By mchoi - September 19 - 4:26 pm

  Ive had this car for a couple of months now and I love it to bits. When I was making the decision to buy a car, it was between the Accord & the Sonata. I test drove the Sonata first and loved how it felt the moment my foot depressed the accelerator. When I test drove the Accord, I was somewhat disappointed. Granted, the Accord is a very solid, reliable car but that was it (I was also looking at the V4 engine so Im not speaking for the V6). I test drove the Sonata again and fell in love all over again, 198 ponies and all. The GDI is great and makes the driving experience a lot of fun. All in all, very solid, reliable car, fun to drive, looks great, and a great price!

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  Best Bang for the Buck in a Midsize - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata - September 18 - 10:00 am

  The whole Hyundai experience from walk- in to drive home was superb at Tom OBrien Hyundai in Danvers. The 2002 Sonata is commonly mistaken for a Jaguar so the new styling is definately a winner. The V6 power is super and the ameneties seem endless. The heat is exceptional and the AC is incredible. I test drove Camry, Galant and Accord. The Accord was great but I couldnt force myslef to go an extra 5 grand for a comparably equipped vehicle.

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  Bad Experience - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lucille - September 18 - 8:26 am

  I purchased my 2011 in may. I drove my car to Memphis and was coming through ms and my car stopped and would not start. I had to call roadside and they had to tow my car to Pine Bluff ark. It was said that it was the fuel pump and it was not. They had to replace the fuse box. I am very upset, my car has been in the shop since the 13th of July. They had to order a fuse box from Korea. Finally I get a call to say that my car is ready today, 29th July. My car is being shipped from pine bluff, because I live in Texas

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  good car for the money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By steve - September 17 - 11:00 pm

  my wife and i purchased our sonata last fall. it was the most car we could find for the money. we are very happy with it. it has a smooth ride and great comfort. it is an extremely quiet ride. the pick up is adequate, although there seems to be a little drag shifting from 1st to 2nd if you are easy on the gas. the gas mileage is average, about 24 city and 28 highway. if you stay at the speed limit or lower, it improves. i did get 33 mpg on one such trip! the cd system is great.the abs and 4 disc brakes work extremely well.

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  A-OK - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By justine - September 17 - 12:18 pm

  I really like my car, a Silver, 2004 Hyundai, Sonata. I bought it brand new in July 2004 and have put about 9000 miles on it so far. The only thing I had a problem with was the fact that a few months ago the circuit for all of the windows went out, none would go up or down and the dealership I went to for help told me I would have to wait a week to fix the windows. Beyond the window problem, I do love my car. I also like the fact that the exterior design makes it look like i spent a lot more money on the Sonata than I actually did. Overall, I am very happy with my car.

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  Best Car Value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jed - September 11 - 7:43 pm

  After looking for a new car to buy over the last three years, I settled on the Sonata LX as the best value. This model seems to finally compare favorably to the accord and camry on design and quality. The V6 is powerful and fun to drive. It does look very similar to the accord. Seems like Hyundai tries in many ways to make people think it is a honda! It does all this for considerably less money. Major complaints are the gas mileage (average 15mpg with mainly city driving) and the front seats do not give much leg support for tall people.

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  Im Lovin It! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt_Ohio - September 11 - 6:22 am

  Purchased new, the 03 Sonata has been a smart buy. I would buy another Hyundai, problem being, it would be another Sonata. I enjoy my car and use it for distance traveling. Its reliable and fun to drive. Winter driving is on ice and snow also is a breeze with front wheel drive and comfortable size on the highway. New or used, try a Sonata. Drive Smart!