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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  nice car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By jmathew926 - February 10 - 5:00 am

  very nice drive, the tan interior looks great, smooth ride, no complaints about the car

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  Not your fathers Hyundai. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By richard - February 9 - 11:46 pm

  Bought top of the line Limited, loaded with too many options to list. Compared to Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, Acura TSX, some smaller SUVs. This car wins hands down. Got great no hassle price for first offer from no pressure salesman lower than I would have paid. Great lines in this new model, lots of interior/ trunk space room. No rattles or problems as mentioned in other reviews. Fit and finish superb, great ride, quiet as a mouse. Love this car. Total winner by Hyundai.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By bjg - February 9 - 12:10 am

  After driving an SUV (Ford Explorer then Mercury Mountaineer) for the past 11 years) wasnt sure I could get used to driving at a lower elevation. But I am very comfortable in my Sonata. Not to mention the smoother ride and great gas mileage. On a recent 400 mile road trip driving between 65 to 75 mph got 33 mpg.

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  Excellent car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dchhill - February 6 - 8:30 am

  Excellent interior fun to drive also the room makes it all the more attractive. Steering control not as good as my previous car, Altima.

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  A Grand Slam - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob M. - February 6 - 8:00 am

  I was waiting for the Azera to come to market, but needed to buy an automobile immediately. This LX is above belief. I dont know how Hyundai does it. It looks similiar to the Accord, but $4,500 less. It has most of the bells and whistles that are found in vehicles costing thousands more. I know that in the past Hyundais dont hold their resale value, but I think this is about to change.

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  Sucha deal!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By movaldes - February 4 - 5:23 am

  Honestly, Ive only had this car a few days but I truly love it. We got an LX in Golden Beige and it is beautiful. The engine is quiet and responsive. And the deal I got after having 2 dealers fight for my business made my decision even easier. Im leasing it for 27months but with the warranty being offered by Hyundai, Im seriously considering buying this car at lease end.

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  Got What I Wanted. - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By movalncal - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I drove the 4 banger 1999 Sonata and decided to buy the 1999 GLS V6. Its quirky, reliable, and still fun to drive some 5 years later. EARLY in life it did go back to the dealer for warranty repairs (including a replacement transmission shipped in from Korea in 2000) but its still going. The only negative experience was with the dealer --what some dealers want for the car makes it more than lesser Accords. Play hardball.

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  Not Bad for the Money - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anthony496 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Good reliable transportation. I beat this car like a red headed step child. Lots of high speed, jack rabbit starts and idling. Excellent Heat and A/C. 30MPG also. Have had problems: Both Front windows stopped rolling up (cause was Nylon Wear Strips), Both rear wheel bearings, 3 camshaft position sensors, EVAP purge valve, lastly major engine oil leaks. 84000 miles and still under warranty. 4cyl w/5 spd.

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  Surprised - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Britt25 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be more surprised at the comfort, styling, and reliability of this car. IF all that doesnt get to you then the warranty should. I feel smarter than everyone else because I have so much for so little. The only crime is not buying this car because youre afraid of the name.

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  Getting worse... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By niteflite888 - January 26 - 12:08 pm

  This is my third or fourth review on this same car since buying it 17 months ago. Theres a crackling/rattling noise from the front which the dealer tried to address by tightening something and that hasnt worked. The alignment is still off although my original tires are still usable at 28k miles. Most recently theres been excessive road noise and I cant figure out what it is. The ride feels cheap, its awful going over bumps, i dont ilke the feel and sound of the swooshing steering wheel. all in all, i think the value is still good on paper when you consider the features on the base model compared to the accord or camry. i most likely will be turning this in at lease end.