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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Good style - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
By JayJay - August 15 - 2:00 amGood quality, excellent service
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BRING BACK THE 05 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By bring back 05 - August 14 - 9:10 amPersonally I loved the 2005 sonata.I am a couriour and drive over 350000 miles a year.The 2005 gave me very few problems and was comfortable and easy to drive. The 2006 is still easy to drive however hyundai got rid of the more classy look that the sonata had.They gave it a sport look trying to copy honda instead of jaguar. The seats make your back hurt when u drive alot and the armrest in the middle will make your shoulder hurt.The armrest also has a spring in it that makes it a pain to closse when your driving.The transmission slips all the time and i think there may be a recall later on.I also think there may be a recall on the shift lever because it will slip out of park with littlpressr
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My 3rd Hyundai and this is the best yet! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By concrodenerd - August 14 - 8:50 amThis is my 3rd Hyundai and I have loved them all. My 1st was a 99 Elantra, than an 04 Elantra now and 06 Sonata. Great cars. Well built and reliable. The car is so great. Have driven the V6 and did not need that so I have the I4. Enough power for me. This a great commuter car and my gas mileage is good. The car is quiet and still well built after 1 1/2 years. no squeaks or rattles. Tight gaps and nice interior materials.
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The commercial was right! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Jon L. - August 13 - 8:23 amThe commercial says this is a Hyundai like youve never seen before and let me tell you, that aint no joke. Ive driven Accords, Camrys and, Altimas too. This car handles like a dream and is as smooth as butter. An all new, all aluminum 235hp V6, traction control, stability control, 4 wheel disks with ABS at all 4 wheels. Are you sure this is a Hyundai? If you buy an Accord, Camry, or Altima and you dont drive this car, You will be missing out. A V6 with duel exhaust! I love it! It truly is a Hyundai like youve never seen before.
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hyundai sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
By udd - August 12 - 2:00 amit is a great car it looks like it is more expesive than it is. it drives very smooth.
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2004 sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
By rn - August 12 - 2:00 amthis car is smooth.. in transmission, riding, and driving. It has the sense of luxury without the luxury high price. I have owned for one week and I love it.
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Sonata OK , but get the lights fixed - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
By PPN & JCR - August 12 - 1:06 amWe are generally satisfied and like the many features. Our one problem is the poor illumination, bad aiming of the low beams. We tried with dealers and district manager, but had to get an independent inspection and re- aiming.
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You should BUY THIS CAR!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Robert - August 10 - 6:23 amOnly 1000 miles but I am very pleased. Camry/Accord didnt have enough room for my long legs; Sonata does. Plenty of room for my family of five and I find the front seats to be quite comfortable. Stable and secure ride, sure brakes, fantastic acceleration and very acceptable milage for a V6 as long as you dont try to red line the tach each time you take off; 32 hwy and about 20 city. I think the refinements and quality of the car may not quite match those of Accord and Camry and only time will tell how well it holds up, but the price makes this car an excellent value. Hyundai has come a long way in the past ten years. Ill post again after a few more thousand miles.
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Silver - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Six - August 9 - 10:00 pmIt rides good, but a little noisy
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holy moly! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
By viotto5872 - August 9 - 12:13 amI am a "Ford for life kind of guy." I did some research and found a vehicle by the name of "Hyundai" I remember growing up, thinking "Hyundai was a piece of crap." But, I just bought a 2012 Sonata Limited for my wife. Now i think, "Holy Crap." What a vehicle! If you think Honda and Toyota are the best in the west, well you got to test drive this thing. I was so Impressed!
