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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  Great Value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By MSlevens - March 19 - 8:20 am

  It took about a year to decide to buy the Sonata. After driving 3 Sonata rental cars I was impressed with the performance and tightness of the cars. First impressions with my new Sonata is that it is like driving all over again as far as fun goes. This car is tight, handling is nimble, not like my 2006 Mustang GT but very close to it. The car loves mountain roads, and turnpikes. Gas mileage to the mountains was 29 mpg up and 32 mpg home over 400 miles round trip . Comfort meaning quietness , temperature controls and radio is excellent.The car does have the typical Hyundai road "feel" meaning that you will feel road surface imperfections such as poorly installed blacktop.

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  Really good car!! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Nikolai - March 15 - 4:01 am

  I work at courier company so i do at least 200-300+ miles a day and i only do an oil change. Never broke down, im surprised that Hyundai can be very reliable car. Everything works well on car. Only 1 thing that disappoints me is resell value

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  THE BEST VALUE, EXCELLENT QUALITY - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Wayne, Alexandria VA - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought this vehicle and am amazed at the power available in such an economical car. I learned how to drive on my fathers 1966 Chevy Impala 283 V-8 and this V-6 Sonata is its twin in pick up from a standing start. The interior is plush and the design....I feel like I bought a Jag! I owned a 2000 Hyundai previous to the Sonata and it was a solid, reliabe, no frills car. This Sonata is fantastic! Get one!

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  Nice car - 1990 Hyundai Sonata
  By EricLISTER - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Its a pretty good car, ive tried to take good car of it, and its never let me down, not yet anyway.

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  Frustrated - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ann - March 13 - 9:33 pm

  The car has a drone around 38-43 mph. It is very annoying since most of my driving seems to be near that speed. A friends 07 impressed me. I was told there were no changes to the 08. NOT TRUE- he didnt have this problem. I was told it is a torque converter clutch chuggle (what?) and it would need a software change to fix it. I called corporate in Oct. and still no promised call back. The heat/AC mode is dangerous since you have to keep looking down to see what mode its in.

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  Better value than Accord or Camry - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim-n-NC - March 13 - 4:46 am

  Its official, Hyundai has taken the lead. For the same price as an Accord LX or a 07 Camry LE, the Hyundai GLS V6 kicks their butt. 70 more horses. Standard Foglights (important in mtns.) Standard dual exhaust. 16" alloy wheels w/ Michelins as opposed to 15 or 16" steel wheels with plastic hubcaps. Standard traction and stability control. Better ride and equal quality of construction and materials. Ford Fusion doesnt even come close in safety w/o std anti-lock brakes or side airbags. Plus the Fusions stereo is unchanged in sound quality from my old 83 Tempo, sad.

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  Better be original owner - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By mavasauris - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Warning Hyundai does not honor the 100k "Americas Best Warranty" If you are not the original owner even if they are problems that have been listed in TSB and are known defects.

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  1st new car - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By newmom - March 12 - 2:00 am

  When we bought this car we wanted something more roomy than a compact yet still somewhat economical. We were impressed with the ride, handling and especially the warranty. The only regret (besides buying new) was selecting the 4cyl, 5 spd combo. While the manual is fun to drive, it gets old in town. The car has pep for a 4 cyl, but not quite enough to gamble with. The combination of the two proved almost deadly on one occasion. My advice to anybody buying a new Sonata, Get exactly what you want first time around because youll lose tons of money trying to trade it in. Maybe someday Hyundai will have a better trade in value. Its a good car to KEEP.

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  Amazing!!! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By elifant71 - March 11 - 1:16 pm

  I love my new car. The ride is excellent, the gas mileage so far has been outstanding, and its been a long time since I have gotten into a vehicle and actually been comfortable. This car is and has out surpassed my expectations and desires. I cant wait to take a road trip and really get to enjoy the open road again!

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  GLS V6 with leather is not a bad value - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By bgg - March 9 - 2:00 am

  The ride has seemed to have gotten firmer along with more wind noise since Ive had it. Bumps in the road are very evident. It was kind of loud in the cabin to begin with but its gotten worse as time goes by. Sometimes when its very cold, the windows wont roll down. They fog up constantly if its rainy, or snowy and/or cold. The heater MUST be set on just defrsoting the windshield or all the windows will fog up. Thats a real flaw. The only things Ive had to do is replace the "rear wheel" bearings and Ive had to replace both front headlights. The only thing its missing is a Moon Roof.