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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  my car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By jrc - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is a big surprise! It is everything I want in a car. Especially the quality for the price.

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By KMu - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great pricing, loves long trips, great around town

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  Terrible Suspension** - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rickster59 - May 13 - 4:00 pm

  Purchased 5/09. Initial impression: nice looking and fuel mileage is good for a car this size. After driving for 1 week, my impression as follows: The engine runs smooth however the 5 speed automatic transmission hangs in 5th gear overdrive at 40 mph and engine lugs. Suspension: you hear TERRIBLE road noise inside car and can FEEL any and all road imperfections in steering wheel. Its scary! Loud rattling in trunk area when riding down bumpy roads. Have had car to the dealer 2 xs for this with no satisfaction. Hyundai needs fix this Sonata model as they have done with past Sonatas and issue a recall to install proper struts/mounts. Hard rubber Michelin Tires may be part of the problem

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  horrible road noise - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sel - May 11 - 2:13 am

  My 2006 Sonata V6 has a "moan" like blowing in a bottle at speeds in excess of 60 mph. It makes driving the car a miserable experience. The dealer doesnt seem to want to find the source and tell me that is normal noise. I have taken it back three times. I seriously regret buying this car and I should have spent more and got a quality car. The Sonata is great looking but what you see is NOT what you get.

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  Hard to beat for the money - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By juscruisin - May 10 - 6:57 pm

  This is my first luxury sedan in my 33 years of driving. My wife said it was time for me to get a "grown up" car as Ive been into performance cars my entire life. I thought Id hate it, but after 2 months am I glad I listened to her. The electric power steering is a little strange to get used to, but thats one of my few complaints. Above 40MPH this things way faster than you would expect. My last car (Dodge SRT-4) didnt even have cruise, so all these creature comforts are taking some getting used to. Im a pretty agressive driver and yet my overall fuel mileage is staying around 25mpg. I could have spent a lot more, but Im glad I gave Hyundai a chance.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Walter Cleary - May 10 - 9:56 am

  I cant stop admiring this car. I never thought I would buy a Hyundai, but once I drove the Sonata GLS V6 I was sold. What a great car, fit and finish is perfect.

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  best car in its class - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By loumera - May 10 - 1:33 am

  i got this car as a christmas gift, best gift ever, fuel economy is great i can get from south carolina to tampa florida on 1 full tank of gas, ive gotten in three car wrecks (none my fault) since ive had the car all major damage was done to the car at fault mine had little dents and paint scratches that didnt cost too much to repair all in all this is a great car, i can run for 5 days straight on a full tank of gas and i live about 30- 45 miles away from the city and i drive all day everyday everywhere

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  Wandering Sonata Syndrome - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By gotstogo - May 9 - 11:44 am

  Ive had my Sonata SE for 3 week. Next week is the third visit to the dealer for what Jalopnik called "Wandering Sonata Syndrome". Search "wandering" on Jalopnik for a full explanation. I would not buy a Sonata until this fix this issue... if they can. Its been an issue since 2010. The dealers have no idea how to fix it. Its a serious design flaw that causes your car to wander on the road and not drive straight. My car pulls right when you let off the accelerator. And, it pulls left when you are on the accelerator. Needless to say, I am happy to live in California with a good Lemon Law. Too bad Hyundai still has issues... I thought they had moved beyond their past.

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  Still impress me!!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ricardo - May 9 - 5:46 am

  Bought my Sonata Limited back in May 2009. Have driven little over 3200 miles and still loved it like new.Ride, comfort and luxury all harmoniously blend in this car. This is my second Hyundai and will not be my last. Ive been averaging 25-25 mpg city and averaged even 31 mpg, with three people inside. Best car Ive recently owned, and used to have a BMW some time ago.

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  Love it! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By judiqueflyer - May 8 - 2:22 pm

  I love my 2013 Sonata. Great value for the money.