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:

• 

  Nice style and features, poor quality - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By DJT - July 24 - 1:13 am

  After a week of ownership, the air bag light stayed on (dealership fixed it and said it was a loose connector). After two weeks, the transmission needed to be replaced while driving along, it suddenly downshifted from 6th gear to 4th gear causing the car to suddenly slow down (fortunately there was no one directly behind me as no brake lights come on so they would have had no way of knowing that I was slowing down).

• 

  I bought a great car - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By bgirsch - July 22 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this car on May 31st and we cant be happier. The Hyundai dealer was very professional and a pleasure to work with. The Sonata offers very solid construction, great look, fun to drive, strong warranty, and fantastic gas mileage. Incredible value! We initially considered an Accord or Camry, but thankfully didnt waste our time.

• 

  Love my Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cass - July 22 - 5:03 pm

  After years if driving a VW (a nightmare from the beginnig) we bought a use Sonata and I am in love. It love that car! Its stylish, fun to drive and pretty darn good on gas, depsite current gas prices. Hyundai might has nabbed a customer for life if the car remains as great as it has been!

• 

  Replaing tires after 20,000 miles? Ridiculous! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Amy - July 21 - 6:34 am

  This is the second time we have leased Sonatas. Total of four cars. We had to relace the tires of all four cars in two years. This time the dealer told us we should be rotating the tires every 7000 miles. Thanks for the too little too late help. I am in my 50s my husband is in his 60s. We have owned a lot of cars over the years and the Sonata is the first and only car that required the tires to be rotated this much. Because, they are crappy tires. Moving on to another car manufacturer. We have been buying or leasing hyundais for the past 16 years (both of us). So done with them!

• 

  I love my new LX Sonata !! - - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Black LX Sonata - July 18 - 4:43 pm

  After 12 years of driving a 1994 Ford Taurus, I finally made the jump to a new car...I like many did much research and you just CANNOT beat the value this car offers...completely loaded with everything an average driver needs for less than $20,000...I receive a ton of comments because it looks more expensive than it is and the black color just adds to it...Ive heard the paint quality is not the best but that will be something Ill only be able to see after time...I plan on waxing and polishing the heck out of it to keep it looking as good as I can...HIGHLY recommend the Sonata !..btw, 1,700 miles to date and no problems...

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Fredric Hirsch - July 17 - 5:57 pm

  easy entry/exit. great visibility, good drivetrain combo, but could use a little more power. logical and easy to use controls, versatile interior appointments (2 tiered console, useful door and seat pockets). has been low maintenance outside of routine maintenance (tires, brakes, tune-ups and fluid changes) the only repair has been front wheel bearings..., oh yeah, Ive got 198,000 miles as of this writing, in 2-1/2 years. I am a delivery agent for UPS doing interstate computer parts deliveries, and this car has been just about flawless. kudos hyundai!!!

• 

  love my car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By tammy - July 16 - 4:33 pm

  love it !

• 

  New car review - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By LaTonya - July 16 - 4:15 pm

  I have only had this car a month now and it seems ok.

• 

  Better than the rest - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bizzenn - July 16 - 11:53 am

  Traded in an 05 Sonata which was an excellent vehicle but the 06 just rocks. Much better than anything else I have owned. Build quality and drivability is a top. I would reccomend to anyone. Paid $20,100 for the LX V6 with the sunroof and sound package. Nothing comes close.

• 

  good car - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By alex fong - July 16 - 3:00 am

  more power is better!