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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  e connell review - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By elc707 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  first 1000 miles was terrific

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  What a great car for the price - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anne - January 26 - 1:46 am

  I looked high and low for a car that looked good, had a strong warranty, that had all the bells and whistles and that cost around $20,000. I found it! I have absolutely enjoyed my Hyundai Sonata, it rides nice, so far it has been very dependable, and it is good looking. Especially in white w/tan leather interior. I finally found a car I could pay cash for.

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  Super Car! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jana - January 24 - 10:04 pm

  I bought a black 2005 Hyundai Sonata. Several people have commented that the exterior design looks like a Jaguar. I love the headlights, flared hood, and grill. It is very stylish. The interior is very comfortable. The car seems to glide down the highways. The brakes and steering require very little pressure to easily operate. The beige cloth interior is plush. The CD and AC/Heating controls are easily accessible. The trunk space is huge!

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  Best Decision for the price - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hasik - January 24 - 1:18 am

  This was my best choice of 2004. I drove a Volvo940 Turbo before. That car was a money and gas eater. Also very noisy to drive. Before buying this Hyundai, I considered the Accord but went with theHyundai for the price and options. My wife and I, we are very satisfied so far. Everything about the car including dealer service is awesome. Especially those functions such as auto diminishing room mirror, heated mirror, smart climate control, and manual shift make me feel like riding luxury car.

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  Very impressive\ - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By PDLynch - January 20 - 8:40 am

  This car is fun to drive, performs really well in all weather conditions (including canadian winters). Its been amazing for my family, drives, looks, and feels like a vehicle that costs 10k more!

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  Old /young car nut. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By young/old guy - January 20 - 3:56 am

  I researched the 2011 Sonata to the point of being Well informed.. We stopped to look at our local dealer. They had a Limited, gls & SE. The GLS was my price range with great standard features. Loved the looks of the SE. Old Hot Rodder come thru again.. For the extra green stuff, the SE made the decision easy.. Love the looks, and after a road trip, the best part is the ride, safe feeling, above all MPG on average 35 at 75 mph. Gotta love it.. I love the linkage to Mercades, Lexus, among others. The only complaint is my wife said the passenger seat was too low. Black is great, but is harder to keep in concoures condition.. Still impressed!!

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  Gas Mileage Off by 1/3, total misrepresentation - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By willyt007 - January 16 - 1:38 pm

  When I was shopping for a new car, I was only shopping because I was taking a new position, and mileage was a huge factor. Bottom line, Hyundai advertised 35 mpg on 2013 Sonata, driving like a granny with almost 100% highway miles, the best I ever got was 26 mpg, but usually 25 mpg or less. At almost 14,000 miles on it, Im looking to trade it even though I have a wrap around 100,000 mile warranty with zero deductible. I cannot drive a car for 100,000 when I was flat out lied to about mileage, for which theyve already settle one lawsuit, and they still do it.

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  I wish they could build SE i-4 manual... - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ross B - January 15 - 4:30 pm

  I am 6.3" 300 lbs guy with a normal driving style. Here is my first impression from my first 200 miles: The good: - great value ( cant beat 14,975$ price) - good interior ( dual color comes with cherry read color) - solid build quality - good fuel economy (200 miles on less than 1/2 tank) - manual tranny is Ok, except the clutch bites too soon The bad: - very soft suspension and numb steering feel - seat is too soft, no adjustable lumbar support or telescope steering wheel for GLS trim The Ugly: - SE trim would probably address most of my complaints but Hyundai simply doesnt manufacture SE I-4 despite the fact it is listed even in their brochure. I would gladly pay 2000$ for SE.

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  So far so good!! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By mee924 - January 13 - 8:36 am

  Just purchased last week used, actually a rental. Still have balance of factory warranty. Like the comfort on the highway. Gas mileage nearly 30 seems good enough for the v6. Interior dash design is the lone dated item in my opinion, 09 addresses this. Cost was reason for my purchase as used was 5k less than 09.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ed - January 8 - 10:46 am

  Love this car. Has room everywhere and all the goodies and safety features of the higher priced cars. Hyundai should receive an award for the efforts they put into this 06 Sonata. This is an import even though it is made in Alabama.