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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  FROM HONDA TO HYUNDAI - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By WORKING MAN - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Due to the many miles I drive each year, I trade in every year. For past 5 years I had purchased a Honda. This year I got a Hyundai and with 35,000 miles on it, I have not had any problems while I used to have to take the Honda in after just 20,000 miles for more adjustment.

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  excellent value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By JTIB - October 6 - 9:33 pm

  I have owned 16+ previous cars, and I love this hyundai.It even handels better than a previous sport type car I had.I bought the gl manual because I drive about 100 miles a day and for the warranty price,style,and overall driveability,I didnt find another vehicle even close. It came with v performance rated tires and you can really throw the car into a corner.Dont get me wrong you arent going to be winning any speed contests with it but overall very fun to drive

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  very good car- - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack Miller - October 6 - 2:00 am

  like this car- roomy and good to drive

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  Sonata beats them all! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Angie - October 5 - 5:53 am

  This car is amazingly fast, agile, and comfortable. And, the car is so smooth and quiet that you forget how fast you are driving. I have driven the Accord and Camry before, but they are not even close to this Sonata. In fact, they look and behave cheap, compared to Sonata. Best yet, the better and higher class Sonata costs less than the Accord and Camry.

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  overal very good - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By toyunki - October 4 - 10:46 am

  I had 2000 sonata . and test driver burgandy Sonata LX with fully loaded with sunroof. the cars engine is most improved part. it is so much quieter than previous model. and acceleration is just incredible. But insulated inside is noise with when the car over the bumps "thump"...the 17" wheel make sonata more athletic but noisier. 16" wheel should be more suited for family sedan.

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  Best Car in Class - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Adam - October 4 - 7:00 am

  This car is amazing and for the price is the best bargain available. The V4 is more than enough power. If your looking for a Mid-Sized Sedan give this one a look and you will see it drives just as good if not better than the Accord or Camry.

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  Hyundai Lover - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Deborah L. SImenson - October 4 - 2:00 am

  It is a fun car to drive. It hugs the road well. It is very easy to set controls and make adjustments for different drivers to use. Love the pockets in the doors for cds. The style of the car is awsome. I have the silver and love the way it does not show dirt. You have sold me on this cute car. By the way my last car was a buick, park avenue and I love this one more.

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  hyundai overall fail - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By buckeyeclair - October 1 - 9:33 pm

  within the first week of owning this vehicle parts started falling off. The interior is cheap and Ive had to have the fuel door replaced multiple times. Not only that but after maintaining my hyundai regularly it stalled our of no where (no check engine light, no oil light, no warning) and died. IT was towed to the local hyundai dealer where they said they had to jump it to get it into the service bay then stated they reved the engine and it died. Hyundai is now saying it is my fault for not maintaining the vehicle and they will not cover the cost of the engine. I am now completely with out a vehicle unless I pay over 8k for a brand new engine on a leased vehicle less than 2 years old.

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  Good solid value - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brett Kalinsky - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is an excellent value and drives like a car that is priced in the 30s. It replaced a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE and the ride and interior of the Hyundai feel like youre driving in a luxury car.

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  Pretty, but needs refinement - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leslie M. - September 30 - 4:02 am

  Nice interior/exterior, but at the cost of acceleration, road noise. Very stiff steering. Coming from a smooth-as-butter Lexus, there is no comparision.