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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  Too much road noise! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By quiet pls - September 17 - 9:00 pm

  Yikes. Too much road/tire noise! I have insulated the trunk and under the back seat--to no avail. Went I hit the slightest bit rough pavement the sound just overwhelms me. I owned a Camry before and I must say I miss the softer quieter more refined ride of that car even though its steering was a little too soft. Has anyone tried anything that worked to lower the noise level?

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  Never thought Id buy a Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By kldm - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This is my first non-luxury purchase and I bought it on impulse because I was so impressed by the styling and packaging when I saw it on the road on my way to work. The one thing I truly hated was the over-boosted power assist, which was addressed by an ECU software update when I brought it in yesterday for the power steering shaft recall. Now the steering feels more naturally weighted and connected to the wheels. I almost dont have any complaints except for the manual passenger side seat. My bias is towards its performance because of owning a BMW and Lexus. Having said that, I consider the Sonata to be the best looking practical car out there. I think my other cars are intimidated by it :)

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  Am I Dreaming - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Loupach - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Sonata for a week. Im still looking for something not to like. Performance, handling, an styling are beyond description. The options (bluetooth, XM, power driver seat) just make it too good to be true. Then theres the Hyundai warranty; my dealership also threw in free car washes (twice per wk). I had been looking at the Sonata for years. With this years new styling and revamped engine it was easy to make the move.

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  Lot of car for a little money! - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bluto - September 17 - 2:00 am

  We have already put on over 60K miles with no problems. This is our daily driver and we love, we will buy another Hyundai product.

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  2001 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 gold package - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By JTMix - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the gold trim package, V6 Sonata GLS.I have been very pleased with this vehicle since the purchase date and I have never recieved so many complements from my co-workers and friends about a vehicle. Its just like the 2003 model except for the different grill. I dont know why the 2003 model supposedly gets 1 less mile to the gallon. Maybe because of its automatic climate control feature. Look out Toyota, theres another quality import in town now.

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  Lots of bang for my buck - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By luvin it - September 15 - 2:00 am

  My hubby drives the Tiburon so I figured I give the Sonata a try. All I can say is, "wow." The body and the style makes the car look more expensive than it really is! I feel like Im in a true luxury car. People cant believe its a Hyundai.

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  Excellent from New Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom - September 11 - 11:00 pm

  I love this new sonata. Its very comfort, and stylish. I was so impressed and so quiet and handling is very luxury car.

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  Luxurious Vehicle at Great Value!!!! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By n8dogg8305 - September 11 - 4:46 pm

  I just bought this base model vehicle and felt like i bought a loaded model. Toyota would never be so generous in a CE. Hands-free bluetooth is a great feature. Includes cruise control, and trip features. I got 30 mpg on my first tank of gas. It cruises like any other 4 cyl., but performs like a 6 cyl. when acceleration is required. Hyundai stepped its game up big time.

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  This one REALLY Out Performs all others - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Frank Thompson - September 10 - 5:20 am

  Honda and Toyota were two main imports that prevailed for the past decades. But it is official, the hell freezes over!! This Sonata out performes those Accords and Camries in terms of built quality and performance. Actually it can be compared with a Lexus or Acura league.

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  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By tonytrim - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I had my Sonata for only four weeks before I was rear ended in a 5 car accident. My airbags did not deploy and the chasis folded and buckled near the moonroof. I walked away with only serious wiplash and a scrape on the knee. The car did exactly what it was suppose to during the impact. I am curious though why the air bag did not deploy.