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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  Love this car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By UNCLEMILT - October 26 - 1:43 pm

  Ive owned this car for exactly one year and have put 20000 miles on it. It is one of the most comfortable cars I have owned. I can drive for six hours and not experience any aches or pains. The car is solid. The only negative is the milage but then again I have a heavy foot. I average 28 mpg on the road and 21 in local driving. My dealer service has been wonderfull. I highly recommend this car. For price/performance, you cant beat it.

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  Leaky sunroof - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lemon? - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car into dealer four times still waiting for a fix. Very frustrating having to go back and forth to the dealer. Water continues to leak in around the sunroof.

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  Great Value for your dollars - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By J Date - October 24 - 10:00 am

  best Value ever for my $

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  Supercruise Sonata! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kilibreaux - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Owned a month now, driven on average 50 miles a day. Startling gas mileage. Registered 51 mpg at 55 mpg Cruise off. Averages 37+mpg at 75! Acceleration is outstanding! Entering freeway dedicated "throttle up" results in very rapid acceleration beyond normal freeway speeds without effort. By no means a "powerhouse" muscle car, this sonata evokes a sensation of an efficient modern fighter jet capable of near effortless "supercruise" 90-100 mph (easy) at which point steering feedback really becomes near perfect.

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  All this for how much?!? - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Daniel - October 21 - 1:56 am

  The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is a great car, it is the best car for the money. My wife and I traded in our 2003 Mazda 6i which cost the same amount when we purchased it, but came with a lot less standard equipment, less quality and a lot less power (4cyl vs v-6)!

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  Sorry I bought it on day 3 - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By disappointed - October 21 - 1:53 am

  The first six weeks of owning my Sonata it was back to the dealership every week trying to fix all the rattles. Broken part replaced for the glove box, broken part replaced in the dash and another noise resolved in the steering column. Today had a door panel replace due to poor plastic welds in the original panel. This isnt the end to the noise. Still has a rattle in the instrument panel. Seatbelt chime is annoying. It dings even if your in park. Heat always comes out from defroster even when set on floor only. Legs never get warm. Defroster defrosts windshield unevenly. Car jumps around when hitting road imperfections at higher speeds.

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  Dont buy this car - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By Urjit shah - October 12 - 12:55 pm

  Its very very noisy. In just 2 days its engine sounds very grinding loud noise.

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  Amazing car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By sozar - October 7 - 3:10 pm

  This is the third Hyundai I have owned, going back to 2003. These cars just keep getting better, but I am really stunned at the quality of this car, the value for the price, and the performance. We opted for the SE turbo model, and the fact that this car is pushed along with such authority by a 2 LITER engine that gets 23/33 mpg is really almost hard to fathom. This car gives you everything: family practicality, safety, beautiful design, and it is very, very quick. The interior is comfortable, functional, and impeccable in its construction. I gave it a five for reliability (hard to give a score in that category after 110 miles) because my two previous Hyundais were fives; very reliable.

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  ACCORD OR SONATA? - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By william - October 7 - 11:46 am

  I look at the honda accord and i was ready to buy it till my coworker brought a 07 hyundai elantra and i was shocked at how nice it was inside and outside . enough to make me go check it out but when i got to the hyundai dealer i saw the sonata gls xm with a 4 speed auto triptonic with heated mirrors, am fm xm cd mp3, power winders, power mirrors, cruise, tlit,maplights, 6 airbags, and sunglass storage and remote keyless entry, plus the alarm, tire warning pressure all just for 18,445 dollars and by the timne i brought it it came to 19,245 dollars..for the accord i would had got a alot less things and no auto.. anyways i am more then happy with my buy and would advise anyone to buy it

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  Hyundai has come a long way! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eagle - October 5 - 3:03 pm

  I was settled on buying an Altima until I saw a local ad about the Sonata. Decided to check out the vehicle and glad I did. This car is not only cheaper by $4000, it has more features, more power, and has updated its styling that rival the luxury European cars.