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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  Fantastic! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By aheisel - September 2 - 8:10 am

  This is the first brand new vehicle that I have owned and fell in love with it on the test drive! I test drove at leat 4 or 5 different cars that day and none of them seemed to fit except for the Sonata. It has a slick design and a great interior. Its roomy (Im 60 and mostly legs!) Its reliable and I feel safe driving down the road. One of the reasons why I purchased it was because of its safety features. The others being the mileage and warranty!

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  Love my new car. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By tracker1 - September 1 - 1:43 pm

  I havent had this car but one day so far, but went on a half a dozen test drives, and sat in more than a handful of cars. This is by far the most fun Ive had driving a car in some time. My last car was a Buick Park Avenue, and this car while slightly smaller on the inside is a far better performer, and has nearly all the features of the Buick.

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  My Second Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hyaguar05 - September 1 - 9:13 am

  I love this car, this is my second Sonata I also have a 2005. I think everything about this car is great, except the way they designed the air conditioning vents. I think because of angle of the vents on the dashboard, you have to almost close the vents all the way downward before you feel the air.

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  Love it so far - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eric - August 30 - 7:23 am

  Its great looks combined with its outstanding performance is unmatched at this price level. Getting numerous head turns and is extremely fun to drive. One note: At just 200 miles the airbag light has come on. Have an appointment to have it looked at tomorrow, will update my review if needed.

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  Great Value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vince - August 28 - 8:23 am

  Im glad I brought this car instead of the Camry, saved a lot of money and love the profromance.

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  An In Demand Vehicle - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ron - August 28 - 1:26 am

  Thus far 24 hours in this car drives great. Handling is great, an adjustment for me as it is very responsive compared to my Dodge Neon I traded in. Interior is beautiful especially when night driving as it just lights up. The on board MPG indicator is a nice feature, I find myself challenging myself to increase my Avg. MPG to get the bar up to 50MPG. Brakes are very responsive almost too much. Definitely takes an adjustment. GLS had everything I needed, IPOD cable, bluetooth, speaker system for phone and multiple cup holders. Also IF you are tall you will fit into this car, I am 62" and fit in the front easily with headroom.

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  I love our hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By john - August 27 - 11:56 pm

  We love our Hyundai. It is not quite as frugal on gas as my Chevy cavalier was but much more comfortable to drive and a lot more power and luxery inside. Rented one to drive from Dallas, tx to ca on vacation and was so impressed with it we went out and bought one the same month we got back. For the money it is a great buy. We love the built in XM radio and 6 disc cd player. So far no complaints with it. But have several with dealer.

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  Great car for the value - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Melissa - August 23 - 7:00 am

  We test drove Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans before choosing this car. You cant beat the safety features that are included, nor the outstanding warranty. The car is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage, I went 440 miles on my first tank of gas!! I highly recommend this car to anyone!

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  2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By TucsonT - August 17 - 11:56 pm

  Having been saddled with a 4 cylinder for 7 years, I decided to upgrade to a V6. However, with the gas prices being what they were, I wanted a V6 with decent mileage. Having compared the Hyundai Sonata with the Honda Accord, I went with the Sonata GLS w/option 5 because I dont need leather seats, a seat warmer or a 6- disc CD changer. I used the reviews posted at Edmunds.com and a few other online reviewers. So far the acceleration is excellent, the silence of the interior is deafening, and the roominess had been complimented by my family & friends.

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  My first Hyundai - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By enjnir - August 16 - 10:07 pm

  All i can say is WOW. This is my first Hyundai and so far I love it. We almost bought the 2011 model but I am so glad we paid a little more for the 2012. The panoramic sunroof is worth the extra money by its self not counting the blue link as well. Time will tell how good a car it really is but at first glance I could not be happier.