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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  the old paths view - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By theoldpath - December 15 - 12:03 am

  Have been driving the Sonata for a few months now, including two 600 mile plus trips. Comfortable ride, great gas mileage (26 around town, 34 on highway), and easy to drive. Especially like the addition of the USB port for IPODS or IPHONES, it works very well. Only downside is the noise the engine makes at idle. It has a ticking sound, which goes away once you get the car past idle. This sound is not heard inside car unless door or windows are open. The 5 speed automatic transmission makes up for any lack of power that the 4 cyl engine has. Overall, I have been very impressed, would buy the same car again, and recommend it for others.

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  Hyundai Service and Warranty - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By netsab - December 14 - 11:31 pm

  Please be advised that Hyundai has come a long way from the junk they originally sold. I have had problems with the window washer clogging which the dealer told me was my fault and I would have to pay $100.00 to fix it? Secondly, my radiator blew up on my way home from work with 20000 miles on the car. I was advised by Kendall Hyundai that a rock (they think-because they were not sure where it was leaking from) flew up and damaged the radiator; therefore it was the drivers fault? I took it to an independent certified mechanic who advised me there was NO physical damage and that the radiator was DEFECTIVE. Instead of the dealer cost of $800 I ended up paying $475, a true travesty.

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  Hyundai Heaven - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By karceneaux - December 14 - 4:43 pm

  I love my new car! I commute from the country to the city every day. This car handles the hills and winding backroads of the country, to the faster stretches of highway, to the stop-and-go traffic of the city with grace and beauty. I cant wait for a holiday, so I can take a long trip with my family in this spacious car. (The trunk is huge, too!!!) My husband loves the way it drives too, and is always trying to borrow it. (His truck is only a year old!) And you know its a hit when a teenage daughter gives her seal of approval.

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  Unbelievable - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By upset1 - December 14 - 1:56 pm

  I purchased this car on march 14, 2006 in about 2 weeks i started noticing although gas is quite high everywhere that this car was burning up an aweful lot of gas, assumed its just because its a new car, well no, on april 9, noticed that the car didnt seem to kick off as quickly as it had initially, then on april 10, pulling out of work the car slipped trans was slipping,thought no, well yes next day almost didnt make it 2 work 4 the miss that the car was havin called serv & got needs 2 bring car in,takes it in & gets call next day, its the tran & needs replace, no apology nothing, got sorry 4 your luck all we are goin 2 do is fix it&call cr,cr sd we gv warr u get fix thats it-how nasty

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  What a car!!! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By chaase1 - December 13 - 9:31 pm

  I have been in the auto industry for 30 years... from Toyota to Porsche.... This car is TOPS for the money. Fun to drive... Great fuel economy! (better than posted) From Dallas to Tucson on a tank and a half. Comfortable on long road trips! Dont wait for re-fuel to take a break.... TOO LONG! Hyundais customer service has been exceptional. Buy gas and drive.... and after a year and a half Im still ecstatic. Im used to a new car every 4000 miles... so this one is GREAT! After reading some reviews, I think the ball was dropped on the Dealer end.

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  And the winner is! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By kinger - December 13 - 10:00 am

  After driving all the big names like Toyota, Nissan, Saturn,Honda and Chrysler and comparing creature comforts, exterior styling and price for a comparable model, the only logical choice was the Sonata LX. Safety features galore, more than the others and at $4 to 8000 less. Hyundai has worked hard to make their products build quality better each year from their disasterious start. Nothing like a strong commitment to excellence!

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  Most bang for your buck - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jay Balsam - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my second hyundai sonata, so I received the owner loyalty discount, making this this car about 5000 dollars cheaper than an accord or camry. It has a beautiful modern looking exterior and a very comfortable interior. The standard features were all I needed, and the automatic transmission has an optional manual shift which helps when getting onto the highway. If you want a solid, comfortable car for a much lower price than other midsize sedans, this is worth a look.

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  very good bang for the buck - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By joe 6 pack - December 12 - 2:10 pm

  Given the $3000 Hyundai rebate, Sonata was a deal too good to pass. You can get the same features and performance for thousands less than on a Camry or Accord.

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  After 13,000 miles - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By YPSIJO - December 11 - 10:00 am

  Pros: Nice design overall with lots of interior room. Nice hp for a 4 cyl engine with good gas mileage. Cons: Ive had to take the car in twice for hood alignment and minor detail mistakes. A lot of plastic parts are rattling and cracking inside.

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  Great car! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By pde2007 - December 10 - 4:46 pm

  Weve only owned the car for a week, but what a great drive it is. The comfort, style and surprising horsepower have really made us glad we purchased our Sonata. I also love the new body style of the Sonatas, its a very classy look. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one when my wifes car needs to be traded in or sold.