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:

• 

  Excellent Car. Great Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alejandro - August 15 - 10:00 am

  After looking at Fusion, Accord, Mazda6 & Altima I decided on this car because it was the best buy for the money. Driven it 500 miles so far and I fall more in love every day. Great fuel economy, awesome features. The 198 hp engine has plenty of power and speed even with 5passengers. Im glad I picked this car above the rest. Some complain about lack of pwr seat for passenger. They dont need to have pwr. Besides they have dual zone temp control that s enough. Mine is the indigo blue Pearl, and all I get are compliments on the car everywhere I go.

• 

  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By zrm - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Drive mostly highway miles, great mileage. Like everything about the car. Still learning about the bluetooth. All features work fine.

• 

  Awesome vehicle / one complaint - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Felix - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best value going. Overall, the car is great. I love the styling and interior. Great Nav and media options. fun to drive and corners well. The only complaint is the steering. Very frustrating driving on the highway for long stretches of straight road, constantly overcorrecting (left right left right) to keep the car straight.

• 

  Time to pull the Trigger! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bartman - August 14 - 6:13 am

  Been looking at the Sonata since its redesign in 2006 but the Interior Revamp they did in 2009 sealed the deal. My 96 Saturn was now on its last legs and finally last week I had to pull the trigger cause I didnt want to spend any more on repairs. I had also seen the pics of the 2011 Sonata due out later this year and just considered it too flashy for my tastes and decided to grab a 2010 while I could. The $3000 discount helped too since they only gave me $500 for the Saturn which will be immediately sent to Auction. The bottom line is I got a Std GLS with everything already included that I wanted for the last 3 years. Im glad I did my homework and Edmunds helped.

• 

  Value and Design - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Limited W/Nav - August 12 - 10:43 am

  Value and design. Cannot beat it. I have strangers coming up and ogling over it.

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By RNuts - August 8 - 11:00 am

  I have 10k miles on my Sonata. I have not had the first problem. MPG is great. Even with my wifes heavy foot, the car still gets 24mpg in town and we get 32 on the highway loaded down for a trip going 70mph. My GLS did not come with the auto on/off headlights but you can still leave the headlights turned on all the time and they will go off when you turn the engine off and remove the key. If you have BMW taste then do not consider this car. But if value means more to you than people judging you by the coolness of your car, then the Sonata is for you.

• 

  Broken rear window - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By joanne - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have 225 miles and just bought it a few days ago. I love everything about it, except, for no reason the back window broke. I watched it shattering before my eyes and getting holes in it. It had a chip in the upper right corner and right above the track is where it looks like it started. It was in my driveway, not windy, the leaves werent even moving. all the glass landed on the trunk which tells me the glass popped out. nothing in the car and nothing around the car that could have hit the window. dealership has it now, lets see what they say.

• 

  Hyundai Sonata: As Good As It Gets - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By abgerard - August 6 - 6:43 am

  We have had our Sonata for about 9 months. We live in the middle of nowhere, and the drive back from the dealership was about 200 miles, some freeway, some mountain highway. It performed flawlessly, showing off its great acceleration and handling. It is comfortable and fun to drive. My daughter, who is 24, doesnt understand why I would buy such a car because, as she says, Im "more of a car guy than that." Buy, you know what, if the purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B quickly and comfortably, this Sonata with the V-6 is all I could want.

• 

  A lot of car for what you pay - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By mervay2 - August 6 - 2:06 am

  Have had for 18 days now. Not as powerful or as steady as the PT cruiser I had, but is real quiet and has a great ride. Getting 27 mpg and I can use regular gas. Lots of room inside. I got the fabric protection, good thing I did. First week I had it, my daughter spilled a red cherry drink in the back seat. Wiped up real easy and No Stain!! The dash layout is great. The Ipod and audio jack works great with my Ipod Nano.

• 

  2012 Sonota 2.0 purchased on 12/31. Very poor MPG - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By 123111buyer - August 5 - 10:13 am

  Have only been averaging about 20 mpg suburb and highway (In the epa mode which was suppose to get 6mpg better) and took car back after 2weeks. Told by service area this is normal and I need to drive about 5k before it improves. Have been in contact with H HQ serveral times and they refutes 5k claim, but also will not explain why mpg is averaging so low. Pushing it off on boilerplate responses (EPA sets mpg, load in car (Only me) tire pressure, blah blah nothing that is what I am doing. In a nut shell it not the car it is me. Also have been having bluelink issues that havent been resolved. Again cant get a straight answer.