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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  one of the best cars i have ever owned, - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By ciao baby - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Well im 63 and said that i would never buy anything but american , but after owening this sonata for two years and just returing on a vacation from florida to calfiorna i am sold on this car .30 mpg on the road and a smooth driving car that after driving 600 miles a day for three weeks you never feal like it , when the new 2006 models come out i will be the first in line to get one.

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  bought santa fe lx and sonata lx - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By ronzx - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 03 santa fe lx, which turned into my wifes car.A year later I bought a sonata lx.They both have the same engine,I thought I would get a lot better gas milege with the sonata ,but its only like 19 city to 25 highway,average I get about 21.Santa fe is 18-22 average about 19.Thats the only thing I dislike.My friend bought an impala ,which is bigger,heavier more horsepower and gets a lot better milege.What I paid for both makes up for gas milege.

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  LOVE MY HYUNDAI - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By LEON - September 19 - 1:33 pm

  Love it. Runs great, looks great and have not had any problems. It is very comfortable, and the cabin is very roomy. Would not hesitate to buy another Hyundai in a few years.

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  Great purchase - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Louis - September 19 - 2:10 am

  Its been a very good and reliable investment. Being driven every single day, it has most of the great features you find on premium brands. The performance is outstanding. It drives with no issues on surfaces covered with snow - original tires. So far nothing to be concerned about during my first year and a half. This new generation of hyundai is truly catching up with japanese brands. The gas mileage was not really the one I expected, but still acceptable.

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  Great value!-minor gripes. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Izzy - September 18 - 5:40 pm

  Have this car for 1 year and this is my first review. Very smooth and brisk 4 cyl. Powertrain. Like the shiftronic feature. Interior is beautiful and comfortable. Controls feel like quality and work flawlessly. Body design is classy in my opinion. Highway mpg exceeds epa, can average 34, mixed driving is around 22. In all fairness I do lots of driving in an area with poorly timed lights, lots of heavy traffic and idling - that alone yields an mpg of 14! Hence the 8 rating. Minor misalignment of few body panels. Creaking from interior parts and yes, the distracting suspension noise that doesnt mar a smooth ride too badly. Still, lot of car at a great deal. Pleasant ride. Couldnt do better.

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  Love my Sonata - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Seannas Mom - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is possibly the best car Ill ever own. She has been totally reliable, beautiful and fun to drive. As small as it looks, this car was big enough to accomodate me, my 10 cats in their cages and their supplies for our move from New Jersey to Florida. Illmiss her when I have to trade her in.

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  Excellent!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By kfessler - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Talk about Bang for you Buck!!! This car has it. Bought for $16k before taxes and I dont regret one penny of it! I didnt think it was possible to get this much car for such little money. I put 2400 miles on it within the first month, and it didnt give me one lick of a problem...even in 90° bumper to bumper traffic. I LIKE IT!!

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  great car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By lila stewart - September 13 - 2:00 am

  SUPER CAR ..CANT BEAT IT FOR THE MONEY!! ITS LIKE DRIVING A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE CAR.

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  best for the dollars - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Duke 16 - September 13 - 12:10 am

  Almost 12 months old,not back to dealer except for oil changes.

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  Great Car! Great Price! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By tuscarorausa - September 12 - 9:06 pm

  Bought a new 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4L 4-cyl, 6-speed Automatic. Got black exterior with chrome accents. Under $22,000 delivered with HyundaiÂ’s PresidentÂ’s Day incentives (which was about $6,000 off MSRP). Need to drive from around Gettysburg, PA to Virginia twice a week for work. Need a car that is good on the Interstate, stop & go traffic, and curved roads along the Potomac River. The Sonata has more precise steering and more power than my 2007 Camry LE. The 2007Camry has more of a luxury ride. Both average 30 mpg. 2013 Camry doesnt have luxury feel like my 2007. 2013 Altima has quality problems. 2013 Ford Fusion needs 305 hp Mustang V6 and better discounts. Sonata wins!