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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  I upgraded from an Accent to a Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By kcamlet - May 20 - 1:06 pm

  I have owned a Hyundai since 2002...I just upgraded from an Accent to a Sonata. The comfort of the Sonata and the performance is wonderful. I cant say enough about my car and the dealership where I purchased it.... I dealt with West Palm Hyundai back in 2002 and am happy to be a return customer

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  HYUNDAI - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By JannaH - May 19 - 2:54 pm

  I purchased a used Hyundai last year after my Ford Explorer gave out on me. I was skeptical at first because I didnt know much about Hyundai after my test drive, I was sold. The power and the sleekness of this car has really been worth the remarkably low price I paid for the car (9,000 with a 4 year 75,000 mile total warranty). I am very pleased with my car I just wish I could have found one with a sun roof at the dealership! :)

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  Sonota Odor - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By vin - May 19 - 10:00 am

  When I purchased my 2010 Sonota I was told that a chemical odor in the car was associated with a metal protector applied to a new engine at the factory and it would burn off shortly after driving it awhile. After a year, the odor did not go away. In that year, I brought the car back to the dealer on several occasions to complain about it. The dealer acknowledged the smell was present and tried to remove the odor once by cleaning the car. They admitted they could not remove the odor. Except for odor, the car has been great (just like my previous Sonota). Unfortunately, I no longer recommend buying Hyundai cars. Hyundai does not stand behind their product after they make the sale.

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  My Search for a great Mid Size value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By JBiss - May 19 - 10:00 am

  I looked at and test drove the Sonata,Jetta,Camry,Accord,Fusion, and the Mazda6. My runner ups were the Jetta and Mazda6. The others were boring or too pricey for me to get the features I wanted. Most of all I liked the Sonata for its looks both on the outside and inside. I loved the way it handles, and I love all the features that come standard with the SE model. The Mazda6 was very responsive as well but did not have the features I wanted in the model and price compared to the Sonata SE. The Sonata looks the best to me of all the others that I test drove. I looked at the Buick Regal but did not test it because of the price. I am now a very happy owner of a new 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

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  Swing....and a miss. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By KenB - May 19 - 4:38 am

  For the first few months, I was happy with my purchase...then I started noticing little things that made me wonder if I made the right decision. One of my early concerns happened on the first rainy day that I needed to get something out of the trunk. The design of the area around the trunk channels the water INTO the trunk when its opened...think wet bags of groceries. The more I used the car, the more I realized that some things were just dumb. Id start the car and back up, only to see that the backup camera cuts out after 5 seconds as the entertainment system boots up....the black screen lasts about 10 seconds. Occasionally I wont be able to use the entertainment or navigation systems at all for about 2 minutes as it goes through its initialization. Ever leave the radio volume turned up when you turn off the car? Now, imagine not being able to turn it down the next morning until the system is good and ready to let you do that. The safety system is questionable...is that a hill ahead? Better sound the collision warning! Ive been pulled over by a State Trooper because the auto-high beams turned on as our cars passed each other. (I dont use that feature any more.) The Blue Link system is spotty at best. The remote start seems to work fine during nice weather, but it fails about 50% of the time in the winter, when I really need it. (This is NOT an exaggeration...I have the "Remote start is not available at this time." emails to prove that.) The Blue Link features a great car locator, just the thing I want to be able to check that my daughter made it to the mall or to a friends house. However, it works only on the Mobile app...not from a browser...and, get this, the car has to be within a mile of your phone! Useless, useless, useless. Ive had to take it to the dealer a couple of times because the front rotors became warped and one of the brakes units failed....both when the car has had less than 18000 miles. Every day I detect a new rattle....in the door, behind the dash board, in the back seat. I plan to get a new car in a couple of years and you can be sure that it wont be a Hyundai.

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  Extreme tire wear - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By rodeo5 - May 18 - 7:03 pm

  Car is designed with tire lean that is not adjustable. Be prepared to buy new tires every 15,000 miles or listen to them thump as you drive down the road.

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  One Fine Car - 1991 Hyundai Sonata
  By arnold mosher - May 17 - 11:10 pm

  When I bought this car I could see the look on some peoples faces ( junk ). But I was hopeful and up to the challenge to prove them wrong . The car has been very good to me and never gave me any serious or expensive trouble . It still holds its original paint and looks good . 272000 k and still going strong . It still does everything it did when it was new and I plan to keep it until it dies . It is driven winter and summer every year shows absolutely no rust and has no holes in the underbody . The person who does my annual safety inspection cannot believe it year after year saying you should sell this car back to Hyundai . I did offer , they declined . So I dont know what else I could ask for

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  Engin starting is not properly working. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By SK Joo - May 15 - 4:50 pm

  I purchased the brand new sonata 2009 model GLS on march 2009. Current total mileage is 3545 mile. But I found the critical issue which is related to engine starting. Since we bought we had met several time "Engine starting is not properly working" Symptom: When it comes to not engine staring well, Accelerator, brake pedal is on stuck, and all electric power down include radio & clock memory was disorganized. I think the key- holder or electric system is something wrong. To be honest, I dont want to recommend this model to other person until US made Sonata include parts quality proved.

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  City MPG very poor - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lee8166 - May 13 - 6:29 pm

  I bought my 2011 Sonata Aug 2010 and felt Iwasnt getting the best mpg in the city. Ilive in Philadelphia. I havent driven outside of the city with it yet. However, Im getting 16 mpg city driving and I feel like that is very low mileage. Other than that I love my car!

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  If I can sell them I can buy them - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt - May 13 - 9:16 am

  I recently purchased a 2009 Sonata after selling them for about a year now. I am very impressed whith my own hyundai after having sold so many I now know why they sell so very well!!!