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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  2007 Hyundai Sonata GLS - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Carl Schlegel - November 20 - 11:43 pm

  Weve been driving this vehicle for almost 10 months and have been quite happy with the ride and quality of the vehicle. I traded up from a 2005 Elantra for the simple reason that I needed a larger door opening due to recent knee replacement and mobility problems. The car is comfortable and quiet, especially compared to my daughters 2005 Camry which I consider a comparable car. I think I purchased the safest, most quiet riding, and best performing vehicle I could find in the price range, give or take $3- 4K. I would definetly buy another, or possibly the Sonata Hybrid when it becomes available. My only problem was with a dealer installed remote starting system that has to be reprogrammed.

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  NOT HAPPY!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rmeyn - November 20 - 1:10 pm

  I travel 160 miles per day, mostly all highway, and I am getting 24/26 MPG vs. the 33 on the sticker and all Hyundais advertisments.I have a 6cyl 2000 Toyota Avalon with 100K miles, a much nicer and certainly more comfortable vehicle, it averages 27 MPG doing the same trip day in and day out. I was willing to sacrifice comfort for a promise of much better gas mileage. Not only am I disappointed in the mileage, the seating is very un-supportive. I realize that I am much bigger then many people however, my wife is an average sized women and she also dislikes the seating. Unfortunately, you dont find these things out when you take the car for a test drive

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  My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By dap48 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great warranty, a real value for the money. A great alternative to other higher priced exotic vehicles.

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  Leather Seats - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - November 18 - 6:43 am

  The 2008 Hyundai Leather Seats are totally unacceptable. I owned a 2006 Sonata and the seats were perfect. My Neighbor has a 2007 Sonata and the seats are perfect. Hyundai must have lowered their quality standards: Michellin Tire are no longer Standard on the Sonata and the seats front and back have are wrinkled as much as 1/2". Why pay $1,000.00 extra for sub-quality leather seats? The local Hyundai order a new seat for me and it was worst than the original one. Is this a recall issue?????

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  best new car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By john 2 - November 16 - 2:04 pm

  I love my new car.It was a great deal, lots of car for the money

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  This is not Your Fathers Hyundai! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shawn D. - November 15 - 4:53 am

  Not only does this car look like a luxury car, the actual features makes it feel like a luxury car! I compared the Camry as well as the Accord, and for the money, the Sonata comes with more standard features for the money. At first glance, many of my friends and family cant believe its a Hyundai, with many mistaking it for different cars such as the Accord or Benz, looking at it from a glance. The sound system is great, the space is really impressive, especially the back leg room, as well as the trunk space. The only drawback Ive found so far are the "break-in" period is opposite from anything Ive ever heard before. For the first 1200 miles, youre not supposed to drive over 55MPH.

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  Hyundai Sonata Review - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian Kenison - November 14 - 5:46 pm

  Sleek styling, comfortable ride, adequate pick-up and plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Environmental (heating) takes a bit longer to warm up the cabin, but gets there. Could use more air flow to the feet. Handles firmly on the road, but road noise is louder than expected. Overall good value for the money.

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  restaurant Mgr - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By BertFic - November 14 - 10:00 am

  over all i am very happy with the car, it handles great 80-90 mph and the ride is sooth i had a elante ran great but i just want to up grade.I am glade i did also went from M to A hurts on gas mile but a comfortable ride

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  Love my Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Janice Greene - November 12 - 8:13 pm

  I would absolutely purchase a Hyundai again. The car has a smooth ride, lots of trunk space, and handles great. I love having cup holders for both the front seat and the back. The seats are comfortable and all passengers have plenty of room.

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  Throw away car - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dean Hinderliter - November 12 - 5:44 am

  You had better like Sonata because once you buy it the only place that will talk trade is Hyundai They seem to have no resell value at all Really wish I would have went for a Toyota Daughter in-law has one seem to me to be a more and better quality car. We have 25,000 mile on the car and it jut doe not really get me excited just transportation is all it is