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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Watch out big 3 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Gregnice23 - October 25 - 7:06 amI love the design of this new Sonata. The dual exhausts are hot and the car really takes off for the 6. The seats can be a little uncomfortable and the ride of the GLS is a little tight but overall I am very pleased. People always take notice of my dark cinnamon beauty coming at you. This new Sonata should make people want to check out Hyundai before going to Toyota,Nissan, or Honda. The pickup is awesome and the interior is well appointed. This is a fresh new car from Hyundai in a sea of all the bland camrys,accords & altimas. Very pleased with the dealership and got a great lease also. Cant beat the warranty. Try and beat that Honda, Toyota and Nissan.
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Crashed Approved - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Chambers - October 23 - 11:25 pmThis is my second review. Wife and daughter T-boned a lady driving a Saturn Outlook doing 50 MPH in our Sonata GLS, then spun out into a ditch. Based on the damage our car was totaled. The Sonata held up very well, all 4 doors would still open and the front end crumple zones took the impact very well. I was very impressed with the safety of the vehicle, both wife and daughter walked away pretty much unharmed. I would buy another Sonata based on this alone, including other features like the fun to drive, comfort and reliability factor. BEST car on the market for the money, hands down.
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Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By bucfan11 - October 21 - 8:23 amWe have had this for four months now and love this car. Performance, handling, and ride comfort are outstanding. The mp3 player will also play wmas. The only complaint is fuel mileage. Dont expect good mileage from this car. We have averaged just over 20 MPG. You should test drive this before you buy anything else.
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Somewhat Disappointed... - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Kori - October 20 - 9:36 pmMy biggest issue is that gas mileage is much lower than the 20/30 estimate. I dont drive aggressively, and in the past have always gotten higher than the posted estimate. This car gets about 18/24. I wouldnt have bought the car if I had known the reality. Radio sounds terrible--very tinny. Tires are low quality. Interior is average. It does run well, has nice pickup and is certainly is great to look at.
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Love my Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
By Lisa - October 20 - 7:16 pmI bought my 03 Sonata brand new in 2003. I have loved the look and performance ever since. It now has over 100K miles on it and its still going strong. We drive from OK to Galveston, TX yearly without any issues. I would definitely buy another one, when this one gives out, that is.
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Great car - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
By rto2 - October 20 - 12:51 pmsmooth, economical, and a great ride. Would buy again. Highly recommend. Bought from a dealer that was the easiest to deal with in 30 years of car buying. [non-permissible content removed]
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Great Stuff - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By gdgoffnet - October 17 - 7:50 amOnly 1400 K on this so far, and am looking forward to putting on another 300000. Smooth acceleration, quiet ride. Im 66 and this car is comfortable for me.
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This is the one - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
By Popps - October 16 - 2:30 pmThis is third Hyundai we have owned and it wont the last if we live long enough. Cant beat it for the price.
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best car ive ever had - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
By b.migliosi - October 16 - 10:00 amive got only good thongs to say about this car. i absolutely love its appearance and performance.
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Im trying it - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
By Pamela8 - October 16 - 10:00 amI think it is a great car for the money
