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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  Fog Horn Blues - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By nodlev33 - June 6 - 5:57 am

  Bought my Sonata Limited 2.4 Turbo new in 2011. Initial pulling to the left was remedied by local alignment. With 36K on the odometer I noticed a foghorn-like sound emitting from under the hood whenever coming to a stop, and when the outside temperature was high. Initially, I suspected the brake system but then happened to come to a full stop, shift into neutral, and increase rpms. Voila!!! The turbocharger. A couple of days at the local Hyundai dealer, and all was perfect. The problem has thankfully not re-occurred.

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  Awesome Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian - June 5 - 8:53 pm

  I just bought my 2011 Limited Sonata. Black exterior with black leather interior. Best car I have ever had. Looks and drives like you paid for a BMW. Cannot go wrong with this car. This is my 4th sonata after having the 2003, 2007, and 2009. Would never think of driving anything else

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  Great VALUE - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jodo17 - June 2 - 11:16 pm

  Just took delivery of my GLS V6 (paid $17,500 with no extra options but rebates just went up another $500 so I missed out on that). Nice so far. Just an incredible value compared to Honda & Toyota. Although I love the deal, I cant believe Hyundai has to offer such high rebates. That does not bode well for their future. More people need to get on the Hyundai bandwagon because you save so much $ (even without rebates) and get more for your money. I guess it is harder to overcome past quality stigma than expected, but Hyundai has arrived. Like everything I read, a comparable Accord or Camry might be slightly better but at way higher cost. Sonata wont depreciate as well but costs less.

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  BEST AT ANY PRICE - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By alan stone - June 2 - 12:20 pm

  my wife never gets excited about any car, but this one she loves. more leg room in the back seat then my impala or monte carlo also a smoother ride. im a easy driver, 17 miles to work 6 stoplights my average MPG 38.5 WOW. 6 new cars in the past 10 years this is the best one yet. i get a lot of looks at my 2011 sonata thank you hyundai GREAT JOB, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

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  My New Car - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hyundai made in USA - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I love the car, luxury for me compared to what I am used to. Fuel millage better than I thought I would get, XM radio a plus, will keep until free time is up. Very comfortable, sight lines are excellent, sound system is great for a rock-n-roller,

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  Was basically told this is a disposable car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By upsidedown2011 - June 2 - 6:47 am

  2 yr old lease well maintained...had problems throughout lease with different check engine lights ...never found cause.eventually would go off by themselves. Car hits 130,000 miles engine shuts off, Im told its seized and has electrical issues. 8-12k in repairs.contacted 3 dealerships & customers service. Was basically told by customer service and regional that car is disposable. They provided me a car with a 100,000 mile warranty & they are off the hook. Will not even consider help w/ repairs or the requested assistance or incentive to buy another Hyundai .This was my 6th Hyundai + I recommended at least 6 other people to buy hyundais..NEVER AGAIN ....dont buy Hyundai they dont care

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  Best car ever owned. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Geo - June 2 - 4:26 am

  Most reliable vehicle, more so than the Corolla, Tacoma, Civic parked in the drive. 123,000 miles, never an issue. Picked it over the Camry & Accord because of comfort. Bought in spring of 08, but is an 09 model. Up to 37.5mpg hwy. Will definitely go Hyundai again. As of 10-28-16, the Sonata now has 123,419 miles, and I wont give it up! Runs perfectly on its eight and one half year birthday. A couple of issues: First, the dashboard has too much glare in daylight, making it about impossible to see the speedometer with the sun beaming directly into the cockpit. Second, the dimmer rheostat doesnt dim the dash enough for nighttime driving, and as I work nights, it is a bit bothersome. Third, something new for this updated report - some rust on the drivers door, where the door skin folds over to the lower corner closest to the latch, it is crumbling, so it will be interesting to see how severe it becomes. I do wash and wax the car, regularly and it has not been driven on the salted NY winter roads. The car is now parked at our second home in Florida, so I am hoping the rust will not progress. Ive also oiled that surface hoping to stop the rusting.

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  Great Car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By afterburner - June 1 - 6:01 pm

  I have a 2007 Sonata GLS, and I am glad I got this car rather than an Accord or Camry. Excellent ride quality, superb stereo, good air conditioning and best of all the SHIFTRONIC transmission which allows me to shift into manual mode whenever I drive. Any day the suspension is better than a camry or accord. Spare parts are cheap and I buy them online. Warranty on the car is best in the industry . Fortunately nothing has gone wrong till date. Since reliability is a problem with older HyundaiÂ’s I run my car on Pennzoil Fully Synthetic Engine oil, with a K&N oil filter and synthetic transmission oil. Resale value is a problem in the car, but I am positive that Hyundai will do well.

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  Great! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By MS.G - June 1 - 3:40 am

  Love this automobile. Looks great, drives, great, great on gas. It is truly a hit with me.

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  I should have bought a Toyota/Honda - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sal - May 31 - 4:43 am

  It would be a really nice car if not for the road noise which is terrible. I have a ghost in my car that appears at 60-65 mph (sounds like your blowing in an empty bottle). The dealer cant fix it. It is so annoying that I look forward to traffic so that I wont have the "Howl". The best advice I can give is: "you get what you pay for". Beware