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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  Worth EVERY dollar - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By MizEmt - February 21 - 11:40 am

  I purchased my 06 Sonata last week. All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE... Hyundai has gone way beyond everything they have put out before.

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  My Mid-Life Crisis Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By ALM - February 16 - 7:50 pm

  Im a busy Mom with 3 kids who didnt want to get another minivan, but really needed the space a van offers. Along comes Hyundai to the rescue with the 2011 Sonata! Looks like a sports car (got the SE) and has the space to haul hockey gear, coffin case guitar and leg room for growing boys. Fast pick-up, quiet ride & awesome safety ratings (a big concern for a Mom who anticipates all 3 kids will learn to drive on this).

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  2012 Limited 2.0T - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By sandstorm05 - February 13 - 5:04 am

  All in all I must say Im impressed with my Sonata. Ive had one issue thus far, problem with the waste gate being out of spec. Evidently there is a Technical Bulletin out regarding it. I have the black on grey leather. Very appealing look, plenty of power, and on long rides it can average 35-38 mpg on the highway. I run 5w40 Amsoil and premium gas.

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  So far so good - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By aries21 - February 11 - 1:29 am

  I purchased my 2011 2.0 Turbo SE March 1st and I all ready have 1600 miles so that must tell you I love driving the car. I was experiencing the pulling to the left and i brought it back and they said that hyundai was aware of the problem and they were waiting for a computer update for the steering. So I called the consumer care to verify this and what great service they took my name and serial number of the car called the dealer ship where we bought it and they said to make an appoinment. Then I got a call from Paul who is the regional service manager from Hyundai from New Jersey he said that they changed the specifications and it was fixed and no more pull.

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  Eye-catching Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rhapsodist - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a Silver Sonata LX (with ABS/Trac, Moonroof) for about 3 months with not a single problem. So far the car is very dependable and with the 5- years/60K bumper-to-bumper warranty, Im not much worried either. The looks of Sonata with the extraordinary warranty were the key factors for me to buy this car. The exterior styling of Sonata is marvelous. Sonatas styling is the hybrid of Mercedes C-class and Jaguar. The price for this car is several thousand less than its competitors, and I personally think that Sonata is the most appealing car in mid-size car category.

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  Eh... - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By scottsdalebri - February 10 - 6:22 am

  I was really hoping to love this car. I liked it over the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 from test drives. I got the Sport with Prem and Tech packages. After driving it for 4+ months, there is nothing to be excited about. Acceleration is poor, but most in this class are similar. The seats are not comfortable and the adjustable lumbar support hits your back in the wrong spot. I hate the NAV system. Not user friendly. The worst part of the car is the GAS MILEAGE. I have only been getting 22-24mpg combined (70% city/30% hwy). I did get 31mpg on an easy 100% hwy hwy drive, but that is still well below stated figures. May be a good value with just the BASE car but not worth adding too much.

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  value city - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ronnie baby - February 7 - 9:56 pm

  Owned for 6 mos. - new lower mpg accurate (30 hwy, 20 cty, mixed avg 25- ish). Bought new over my other finalists (used 04 Acura TL or 06 Passat)...spent thousands less...wish I could have gotten XM w/o sunroof. I was attracted to mid size exterior with large car interior; at 62" 230 my middle age frame/girth fits very comfortably. I threaten to move my 11 yr old into its trunk when he misbehaves, it is g-i-a-n-t and hauls my rep samples easily. Std and safety features really a "wow" for the money...hope this current era for Hyundai will be like the Honda/Toyota mid 80s as far as earning reputation, long term reliability. Only failure 1st 6 mos. is driver seat recline electronic switch.

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  2002 Sonata GLS w/moonroof - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2002gls - February 7 - 7:10 pm

  Took it on trip from SD to Palm Springs fully loaded w/ 4 adults& it performed excellent up&down winding grades & cruised effortlessly on the freeway. I purchased 10yr/100,000 BtoB warranty, but later cancelled it because I felt I was overcharged ($1400). Ive seen posts where the going price is about $700. Suggested improvements: Being of average American male height 511", I have difficulty finding an absolute comfortable steering wheel position & the drivers seat feels way too high to me.

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  Sonata V6 Limited - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rick - February 5 - 7:20 pm

  I have had the car since 12-21-08 and am very pleased with the fit and finish. The performance is very good and I like all the standard features that are extra on many other models. The heated seats are appreciated in the winter weather. Great car for a road trip. Very good value for the money.

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  Happy I upgraded! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By KDubb43 - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Its been a week now since I picked up my 2011 Sonata and I couldnÂ’t be more pleased. I love the Pacific Blue Pearl color and I getting great gas mileage, between 30-40 mpg. Its a completely different car than my 2010, very thoughtfully laid out, especially the trunk release feature. It goes all the way up so that you dont bump your head. I would recommend this cat to anyone, and my sales experience was wonderful as well.