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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  an owner speaks out.... - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By delraylbh - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Found auto to be an excellent car for the money and would recommend. I usee as a second car and am not disapponited Slightly disappointed in the gas mileage around town whereby I expected more in the 22 to 24 range but receiving 18 to 20.

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  It works for me. - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kurt Moore - September 20 - 2:00 am

  this has been a dependable vehicle and never had a manufacturer so interested in the car working correctly. we enjoy driving it and find it quieter than the 99 Chrysler 300M we had. Not as peppy as would like and fuel economy should be better.

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  Disappointed - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By emlod - September 19 - 8:18 am

  I should have driven the actual car I bought before completing the deal. The steering has no road feel to it. Steering is dead. It tends to pull to the left. It is hard to keep the car straight in the lane. The car tends to wander. The turbo makes funny noises when I start the car. It has lots of HP but it doesnt feel like it until near the top of the shift point. I did not get anywhere near the milage claimed. I got about 26 mpg hwy and 19 city. Interior materials are ok but does feel like a cheap car that it is.

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  Surprisingly, a great car! - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By weezmyster - September 18 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car to accomodate a new baby. Two door vehicles just werent cutting it as he got heavier and heavier. We needed a four door vehicle, but didnt want the huge payment to go with it. We searched and found this. Im a skeptic, but when I drove it, this car handled surprisingly well. It was tight, comfortable, and had all the room of a full size sedan. We love it.

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  Oops I should have got smt else,,,smt reliable - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By peter127 - September 16 - 9:32 am

  Had for a little over 2 years, lately I have been going to a delearship often to have issues fixed. Major issues I found were, engine wont start, thankfully I was in town. Front door wont unlock with a remote, I had to use back door to open front door last time I did that was ,,,,never ,,,Current issue, I heard a hamming sound from the dashboard, it actually felt like some one was mowing grass, honestly I rolled down my window to check. They said it was at the back of the radio unit and they took out the whole unit including gps. Guess what I am driving, a car with a big hole on my dashboard,,that could be ok but I feel it is not reliable. Better spend ur hard earned money on reliable car!

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  One terrific car - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By peter95949 - September 15 - 12:52 pm

  This is one great car. Hyundai has gotten everything right. I have owned 28 cars in my life including Mercedes (awful), Audi, Lincoln, Avalon, etc., and this Sonata does not disappoint. This my second Sonata.....the first being a 2011. The most noticeable improvement is the increased level of quietness. The 2011 had an unacceptable level of tire noise intruding into the cabin on coarse roads. The 2014 is almost silent on most city streets and measurably quieter at speed. Wind noise is non existent.

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  Best in class - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By AZdriver - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I drove the competitors and the Hyundai offered more for the money without compromises. Ive go 7600 miles without a single problem. Fun to drive.

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  Hyundai, No Day - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Heroheroic - September 14 - 10:03 pm

  Well being laid off from a job is never a good thing. I have been working at Bellsouth for nearly 20 years and just got laid off so having to downgrade my house to an apartment and 2006 Honda Accord EXv6 to a Hyundai Sonata LXv6 was a lost too. Having features such as a map and Navigation System or even the smoothly performing V-TEC and 5 speed manual i was not happy. The Hyundai is a "generic" car. It seem as if it is of good quality, but maybe comparable to my last car a 1999 mazda 626 ESV6 (sorry i tend to buy only V-6 models for perfomance reasons only)and like it is about 3 to 5 years behind the competition. Hyundai is still a player in the catch up game and is learning also.

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  After a year - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By rjklacik - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2002 Sonata LX for one year now and I have to say that this car is probably one of the best cars Ive ever owned. I have never had a single problem. Its a joy to drive.

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  Great car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By JMG - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned a better vehicle