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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Love this Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By David - May 28 - 6:00 amI just Love this Car. It has great looks, drives wonderful, handles great, fun to drive, reliability and quality unsurpassed. The many standard features, both for convience and safety is unmatched even in cars much more expense. I believe this is the best keep secret in America. Great gas mileage for a engine this size - V6, 235 horse power. I get 23 in city and 34 on the highway.I just dont see spending several thousand more dollars for a Camry or Accord, etc.I would compare this to one any day! You cant go wrong with this car.
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GOOD SOLID CAR - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By DEB - May 27 - 8:14 pmA GREAT CAR. VERY RELIABLE. GAS MILEAGE IS INCREDIBLE. LUXURIOUS FEEL AND LOOK. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
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Impressed! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By n1cdr - May 27 - 2:29 pmI love this car..I have owned many cars in my lifetime but this one impressed me the most! I fell in love withit the moment I saw it on the road. For the money you cannot beat it.
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a great look, price, and comfort - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By bonafide13 - May 26 - 1:21 amJust purchased this 2005 used Hyundai Sonata LX. Now, eventhough this car was previously owned by a rent-a car business, has 20,000 miles.. The price and the ride is tops! The car also has a clean bill of health.. I checked... If you want a luxurious looking and feeling midsize car. buy this one!
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great car - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
By bill monahon - May 25 - 2:00 amexcellent car for the money. engine has plenty of power(I had the v6).
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SOLD!! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By Carlos - May 23 - 6:03 pmI drove out of the dealership in a beautiful bright silver 2005 Sonata for less than $16,000.00 total (WOW). Its a great mid size car for the price. Very comfortable ride, and very good looking too. I get plenty of compliments on this vehicle.
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Great car!! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By tjj - May 23 - 2:17 amFor a 17k dollar car, this is really worth the money. Quiet, smooth, decent power, well equipped, excellent warranty. What else do you want?
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Love my Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
By Shannon - May 22 - 11:48 amI love it. Its economical, has a 10 year power train warranty, and a 5 yr bumper to bumper...for anything, even running out of gas they will bring me it, change my tire, give me a loaner car if mine needs work and if out of town, they will pay hotel...gotta break down in hawaii lol .....awesome!
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Couldnt be happier! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
By Jason - May 22 - 11:13 amWe test drove many cars including the Mazda 6, the Ford Fusion and the Ford Taurus. None of the vehicles came close to offering what the Hyundai Sonata did, except the Sonata was priced below the rest of those models! The warranty, the Hyundai Assurance program, and the included features (rear heated seats, more leg room than anyone would ever need, etc.) all made this car an easy choice for us to purchase.
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Cant believe its a hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By frank - May 21 - 1:53 amI have had my car for three months and one week, when i first bought the car i could not believe all the standard eqiupment was getting for the money plus the V6 engine i would have spent more buying a honda or toyota so i do not regret getting my aquamarine sonata GLS V6, my only problems with the car is the gas milage which could be a bit better, but you can you forgive the cars short comings with the V6 engine which suits more than my needs, im glad i got this instead of the basic 2007 camry CE, This is my second hyundai sonata, my major decesion was value of the vehicle, and the peace of mind of not having to worry about changing a timing belt.
