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:

• 

  so good - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By jinsung - July 24 - 4:06 am

  wow~ not for the korea car powerful and comfort..

• 

  Awesome - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Happy Baker - July 23 - 11:00 pm

  Have the for about a week now, put on about 800 miles. average 29 mix miles per gallon. Handles well and one the best interior I ever saw in a car.

• 

  Never thought I would own one - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dride9 - July 23 - 5:16 am

  All I can say is this thing is freakin awesome. I have been looking for 10 months and have test drove everything under the sun. Car handle better than the Maxima and Altima I drove. Looks better than the Camry I looked at. Out performed the Accord. Blew the doors of of Sebring and was better built that the Fusion or Milan. All I can say is the Sonata is awesome and Hyundai has come a long way.

• 

  The Quiet Blue Storm - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By racchi - July 22 - 3:20 pm

  I formerly owned a 2013 Sonata dubbed Blue Storm. After 55,000 miles of hard commuting and three bad drivers hitting her, she was still a rock solid car although cursed with attracting bad drivers. Hyundai was offering aggressive incentives so I decided to test drive a 2015. But after using Edmunds price quote service and running some numbers, I took a 2015 Sonata home. And the improvements are very noticeable. Particularly with the interior, ride, and noise levels. Overall it drives more confidently and feels more solid than my 2013. A 2.4 Sport with premium package or 2.4 Limited with few options is the best model to get to match this cars persona, 2.0T not worth the extra money.

• 

  Great Buy - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By deca75 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle handles well quite and very fun to drive.

• 

  Love my Sonata! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mitchell - July 20 - 10:34 am

  This is my second Hyundai and I love it. The SE turbo with paddle shifters is both fast and comfortable. A great travel car but still fun during the daily commute. Sexy and sleek. I will never buy anything but a Hyundai.

• 

  I hated to trade it in - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hal - July 19 - 6:15 pm

  This was my first Hyundai and I was very impressed. The only reason I sold it was because I needed a truck. 3 years of flawless performance. No squeaks, rattles or disappointments at all. The only time it saw the dealership was for oil changes. Id buy another Hyundai in the future.

• 

  I Love this car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Zachary - July 18 - 1:53 pm

  This car is amazing, I got a steal of a deal, and for the price of base accords, and camrys my care is fully loaded(v6,homelink,leather,seat heaters,auto air, sunroof,subwoofer). The car is Very fast, I totally enjoy the great pull anywhere in the rev range, and the throaty growl btw 4-5k. Im 64 and can sit with the seat fully extended, and still not touch the drivers seat when i sit in the back. The mileage is amazing(34mpg going 75mph), but i noticed i get only 24mpg when i put premium in it.

• 

  Great value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Spursrule - July 15 - 1:56 am

  We were loyal Honda and Toyota owners for 20+ years. Checked this out and what a nice vehicle. Specs for the $$ is a great value. I spoke with past Hyundai owners before buying this and not one had a bad thing to say about their Sonatas. If a family sedan is what you are looking for, drive this before you make your decision. Handles great for a sedan. Interior controls are logical in places. Ours Limited is Powder White w the wine leather interior. We love it.

• 

  GREAT VALUE - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By LISA - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt pass up the deal on the Sonata LX! I still get comments on its handsome exterior and leather/wood interior. A few months after buying the car, I had problems with it acting like it wanted to go dead. The dealership found a loose wire and fixed it with no problem. This is my first V6 its a lot of fun and useful in quick passing.