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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  Hyundai has come a loooong way - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By racerjae - December 30 - 3:23 am

  My first car I drove was a Hyundai Excel. What a nightmare driving that thing! In less than 20 years, Hyundai is truly a quality manufacturer, and it shows in their cars such as the Sonata. The Sonata is comparable to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but costs thousands less. Plus you get the best warranty out there. Its truly a best buy in my opinion. Every time I drive it, I almost forget that Im driving a Hyundai. It has a smooth supple ride, acceleration is sufficient (although the engine buzzes a bit at higher RPMs), it handles and brakes well, and its quiet inside. It can easily seat five adults, and the trunk is huge. Enough said.

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  great buy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By freddy - December 29 - 5:56 pm

  have had the car about a month and cant wait to get behind the wheel every day. it rides like a dream and has lots of bells and whistles for the money.

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  Impressive! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt_Landers - December 28 - 10:06 am

  Purchased my 2011 Sonata Limited a week ago and 600 miles later, so my immediate impressions are positive. A lot more bang for your buck than a comparable Accord EX-L which I owned (2009 model)

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  Toyonda Who? - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By DrDrewOSU - December 28 - 1:13 am

  Check out the Sonata, I love mine and I am very glad about my decision to purchase it. And I dont say that lightly. Im a 12 out of ten when it comes to being particular about my vehicle. See it for yourself, I think you will be impressed. Azera and Genesis here I come!

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  Good not Great - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By dankocke - December 27 - 12:37 pm

  Purchased 2 weeks ago. Bought in Florida and drove back to Missouri. Overall this is a fine car for the money after rebates and discounts. I like cooled leather seats so I bought this instead of Toyota, Honda, etc. Its put together very well, drives great, and is super quiet. The engine sounds a bit strange but at higher speed it is unnoticeable. Car is plenty fast... much better than 2.4l. Gas mileage is ok but should be better - 28mpg on 1000k mile trip home at 75-80 mph. In town it hovers around 24-26 mpg. Overall for all the features it is a good value. Best Nav in the business. Seats are a bit hard but with good support, so be sure to check it out before you buy.

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  It does everything well - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian - December 25 - 2:50 am

  After leasing my first four new cars (all GM), I settled on buying and truly evaluated a lot of options in the midsize category, foreign and domestic. I was sold on the Sonata from the first test drive. Ive driven 2,600 miles so far, and heres my conclusion: its a car that isnt exceptional in any one area, but does just about everything well. It feels solid and well built inside and out, offers a great blend of power and fuel economy (no worries about highway merging/passing), holds a lot of cargo and offers great value for the money. Not to mention the fantastic warranty. Hyundai has a real winner here.

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  Hyundai Just Gets Better and Better - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jim - December 24 - 7:10 pm

  This is my second Sonata....Best car I have ever owned... Great power, handling and comfort...Very secure to drive in all weather conditions... Quiet smooth ride...too much power sometimes!!!Best car in this class and a great buy to boot!!!

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  Sonata has some ponies - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt Lowery - December 23 - 2:05 am

  Well, after reading alot of reviews about the 2007 Sonata, I had to go out and test drive a couple. I went to a car dealer that had a V6 and a 4 cylinder 2007 Sonata parked side by side. I test drove both of them and what a thrill. The 4 cylinder had almost the same feel as the V6. If someone told me that, I would not have believed them. I owned a 98 Honda Accord V6 and the 4 cylinder felt almost as powerful as it did. So, I ended up buying the 4 cylinder Sonata and it is such fun to drive. I took the long way home just for fun. I appreciate all the reviews that other people shared. All of them came to "life" when I drove the Sonata for the first time. Go Hyundai.

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  gas guzzler - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chuck - December 22 - 6:27 pm

  Very comfortable. I purchase the car for the size. It in between the other cars. Good handling in the snow. The gas mileage is the worst I could imagine. 14 mpg around town. What a let down. I had them check it out and they said it was ok. Very disappointed.

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  A Perfect 10 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gotta Sonata - December 17 - 3:30 am

  This car kicks! Its fast, its sexy, its reliable (with a 10 year warranty, it kind of has to be), and its a good value. We love its looks, and refinement.