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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  Great Car for the Money - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ed J. - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 2004 Sonata 2 months now and have had zero problems. Im really impressed by the build quality and the standard features included for the price. Im really glad I didnt spend thousands more on a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. The Sonata looks much better too in my opinion. The Accord/Camry have extremely bland exterior styling if you ask me.

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  squeaky noise - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By sammy13 - September 8 - 7:00 pm

  everytime i turn to the right or the left side my car makes a squeaky noise. Sometimes it can be really loud. The dealer cant find out whats wrong with it.

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  Look out Japan, South Korea caught up. - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By roberto - September 7 - 12:33 pm

  This car is way above what we expected. On smoothly paved roads it is the quietest car Ive ever driven. It puts the new Camry to shame in that category. It also puts the Camry and Accord to shame in list of standard features by including SAB, ESC, ABS and traction control. The NHTSA says it is even better than the Accord in its side impact crash test ratings and costs thousands less. Only thing I would change is the look of the climate controls, a little dorky. Otherwise go for it. Oh yes and the warranty package is far better than the Accord and Camry. I feel like a saleperson......

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  Junk in my opinion - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff taylor - September 7 - 12:14 am

  Have a 2011 hyundai sonata limited 2.4l engine! Have had trouble with the passenger side door latch, trouble keeping the bulbs in the headlights and taillights, now when the ac is turned on it sounds like popcorn popping, and the car doesnt want to start! Anyone else had this problem

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  mpg better than epa ratings - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By blisowski - September 5 - 2:32 pm

  Recently we got 40.7 mpg on straight hwy at 65 mph keeping the rpms below 2000. First i did not trust the computer but it proved to be accurate. I called my dealer and they were not all that surprised--so it does day on the sticker up to 41 mph. I am at 5200 and will continue to update data.

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  Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By tbell - September 5 - 12:43 pm

  Solid car for $6K less than competition.

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  Sonata GLS w/pk#5 best buy - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By rayam2000 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Just bought a 2004 Sonata GLS w/pk#5 from Fairfax Hyundai for $17400 after tax and fee. I dont have plan to buy it today, but the sales is friendly, he knows a lot about this car. No pushing for sales and willing to make a deal. However, VAs "documentation fee" is too expensive - $289.90, compare with $100 in MD.

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  love this car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By tdevin8 - September 4 - 11:17 pm

  Ijust got this car today love the way it handles very roomy I had a 2009 sel fusion this car lookes so much better can not say enough good thing about the price you get alot of extras great value

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  above Accord or Camry - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Clag - September 4 - 10:38 am

  Ive had my Sonata Limited for 3 months. I wanted an old mans car and therefore was not too concerned with high performance or flashy appearance. I would have been happy with any of the loaded midsize sedans: Accord, Camry, Altima, Passat, Fusion, Malibu or Sonata. Considering only the top three in reliability, I eliminated all but the Accord, Camry and Sonata. I believe that cars are going through a drastic change over the next 3 to 5 years. So, I wanted my next car to be loaded with as much of the new tech stuff as possible. All three top out at somewhere between $32,500 and $35,000. Honda and Toyota would only knock off at most $3,000 to $4,500 the MSRP. I bought my Hyundai $10,000 less than MSRP ($33,555). If I sell it in 4 to 7 years, I believe that Hyundai will have as good a reputation for reliability as Honda or Toyota. Im 63" and 225 lbs with knees that dont bend very much. The Sonata is the easiest to get in and out of and has the most room. With my iPhone 7, the entertainment center does everything I could ask of it and with great speakers. I couldnt notice any significant difference among the three in handling, noise, ride and comfort. Performance will have to go to the others with a V6. Hyundais only come with a I4. (I get my performance fix racing go-karts.) I check my gas mileage every time I fill up. Never have I gotten less than 25.3 mpg (all city driving). On the highway, I get 37mpg but that is driving 70-80 mph.

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  2011 Hyundai Sonata Noise Problem - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By wipdl - September 3 - 7:52 pm

  We purchased the 2011 Hyundai Sonata in Feb 2011. We love the way it drives, the interior features, comfort and looks. However, we are extremely unhappy with a groaning noise that occurs with decceleration or braking to a stop. We have had the car in to the dealer 4 times, had numerous emails back and forth with Hyundai Customer Service and have only been told the noise is coming from the A/C compressor and "it is operating as designed" so there is no repair for it. They have said it is in all of the 2011 Sonatas but I doubt that since I have seen no other posts or articles about it. Needless to say, I cannot recommend that anyone purchase this vehicle until Hyundai addresses this problem.