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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  So far an excellent vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chris - March 7 - 4:16 am

  We have driven Hondas and Toyotas for years, but when it came time to replace a 1993 Accord, we drove the "97" Accord, several Toyotas but kept going back to look at the Sonata. In the end we went for the Sonata because of the value for the dollar. Warranty, options and it just feels like a secure car. Fit and finish are on par with Honda and Toyota. The 4 cylinder is more than adequate for day-to-day driving and road trips with a family of four. Our first trip on the interstate with 3k on the engine still averaged 30 mpg. Not bad for a fresh engine. The final test will be to see how it handles a winter in the upper-midwest...

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  I hate my car - 1994 Hyundai Sonata
  By DeadMilkMan - March 6 - 4:15 pm

  The only advantage ive found is the car confort, its really confortable but at wich price... It drinks fuel like a Mustang 5.0L. IÂ’ve spent 2000$ dollar in 8 month to repair this car and it still have a lot of thing to repair (ie: 1 power window, suspension) Sometime my car just stop at a STOP and its an automatic. ive change the spark plugs, the cables, the rotor, ive washed the injectors and it has change nothing to this. Well my final verdict: i will never buy a Hyundai again in my life

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  My Sonata 2000 - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By larrylo99 - March 6 - 2:00 am

  I dont believe I have had a bad experience with this car.

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  Classy Efficient Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Melinda Lane - March 5 - 1:10 pm

  I love this car! You get all the extras for thousands less than Toyota or Honda.The heated leather seats & climate control are very nice. I sold a Jeep Grand Laredo for the Sonata and it was the best decission I ever made. Drives like a dream and gets 24mph locally and averages 31mph on the highway. It has more room than the Honda or Camry as well. This car is definetely a keeper

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  Better than expected... - 1995 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pinkfire - March 3 - 5:26 pm

  I purchased this Sonata new. It had a five-speed, A/C and no other power options. The first repair was at 97K, for a new clutch. At 125K, maintenance has included a timing belt every 60K, rebuilt starter and alternator, new water pump, etc. Dealer service went down hill when my local dealer changed hands. The second timing belt service was vastly overpriced, and several non-factory parts were used.

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  2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS - LAH Review - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lord Alfred Hayes - March 3 - 4:40 am

  For the price paid, this is a great car to drive for comfort and reliability thus far. I bought the car in January 2009 (should have waited a month due to tax breaks but oh well) and now have 18,500 on the car. I am averaging 26 MPG with city driving and am consistently in the lower 30s MPG with highway driving. The only problems I have with car are the cruise control (sometimes unresponsive), the paint (flaking away on the hood and the front grill) and the instrument panel lighting which seems to flicker often and cannot be fixed since Hyundai service personnel cannot replicate the problem.

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  good hyundai - 1995 Hyundai Sonata
  By Youngjoon Park - March 2 - 10:42 am

  This car has almost wonderful equipments. Wonderful with cheap price. But there are minor problems.

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  Cant belieive I bought it - and LOVE it - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By WAhusker - March 2 - 7:10 am

  I have been looking for about 6 months and have driven everything from an 04 Lexus ES, to every new 07 in the same class, including the hyped Camry and Accords (which are nice cars). After driving by the Hyundai dealer many times looking at others, I thought Id drive one. Wow. For about $8,000 less than a similar optioned Camry I drove off in the new black leather Platinum Edition and have no regrets. Guess I cant tell any more jokes about this company. They truly do make a fantastic car. If your looking for a new car, you owe it to your wallet to drive one of these. Either that or settle for a cloth interior and 4cyl. Accord or Camry and watch me wiz by in comfort and style!

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  Excellent auto for cost. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim Comer - March 1 - 11:09 pm

  Drives like sport car. Very durable for low mileage car.

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  Okay - 1995 Hyundai Sonata
  By odis - February 27 - 3:45 am

  The car ran great until 90,000. I had to redo the transmission and airconditioning