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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  The 4 Cyl. needed smoother shifting. - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bruce Berwick - November 29 - 9:00 pm

  I find that my Sonata doesnt shift smoothly between gears. The car is a great value in general. I have 58000 mi. on mine and its still going strong. The Silver color paint is peeling, which isnt too great, and I garage it every night and use it just for pleasure.

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  Rattle and Roll - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shoddy Sonata - November 29 - 4:56 pm

  Car has been driven 3200 miles and developed many creaks and groans in the front windshield area when driving across bumps and road imperfections. Ignition key design is such that key ring slaps constantly against dash board when driving, very annoying!

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  12000+ on the odo and still diggin it - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By still very happy - November 26 - 9:00 pm

  This is my 3rd review and I now have over 12,000 miles on my Sonata. I recently averaged 31.6 mpg on a family trip at speeds between 75 & 80 mph, which seems to validate the "broken-in engine gets better gas mileage" statement. My ONLY gripe thus far is the low tire pressure warning light that comes on intermediately in error. Not the end of the world, but annoying when you find yourself pulling over to check your tire inflation for no reason. Otherwise, for above-average "basic" transportation, this car is hard to beat. Id even recommend this car to my enemies.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By beccaboo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my Sonata for 2 days and Im loving it already. I loved it as soon as I saw it. Its very sleek and stylish. I love the colors and everything about it. This is my first purchase of a brand new vehicle and I couldnt be happier. Thank you.

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  Love this car - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike Quinlan - November 21 - 5:04 pm

  Excellent vehicle,,smooth ride

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  Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By VLH - November 20 - 10:08 am

  First new (used) car I ever had. I travel 28 mi a day to/from work and have only used 1/2 tank of gas! Just sold a loaded Lincoln and dont miss the luxuries as the Sonata has the most important features for pleasure, elect.windows, and cd/radio.comfortable, roomy interior,sleek looks, less elect.gadgets to worry about and cont.warranty bumper to bumper. Wanted a Camry, got an equal and saved a lot!

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  Best Car I ever Had - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - November 18 - 1:48 pm

  This car is fast, Its brisk agile and very quite as also a owner of a 2002 Lexus GS300 I must say it rides just like my Lexus,It very comfortable on long distance, Now Im 6 feet tall 240lbs and I have plenty of room in this car, I also like the XM radio also. Hyundai has definitely stepped their game up probably in a few years I may buy the Luxurious Hyundai Genesis!

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  High Mileage Driver - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dustin - November 18 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had this car for just over a week now and Im very impressed so far. my Buying experience was excellent and i would recommend the dealer to anyone. i drive approx 30k a year so i wanted something that would be economical reliable and comfortable. In my experience so far the fuel economy has been amazing, with mostly highway driving i returned 37 mpg with a 50-50 mix i returned 30mpg. the 100k warranty really sets my mind at ease. the car is decent to drive, and while its not a "drivers car" its better sorted than a lot of cars. there is excellent room inside and the transmission seems pretty solid. the standard features are awesome. for a midsized sedan it handles pretty well.

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  A rental drive won me over! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By George Bixler - November 17 - 10:20 am

  My previous car was a 2009 Sonata Limited. It was a good value car, reliable and dependable, but it wasnt a particularly exciting car to drive. So, when the time came to look for a replacement, the 2015 Sonata was not on my list - I had driven a Mazda6, an Accord (of which I had previously owned 3), and a Legacy (still own a 2003 wagon) - all terrific cars. But when I needed to rent a car to drive to the North Carolina Outer Banks for a vacation, the rental company gave me a 2015 Sonata SE. It only took me about 5 miles to realize that this was an entirely different car from my 2009. It handled much more tightly, was tomb-quiet, seats were amazingly comfortable, highway ride was terrific, interior design and controls were where they should be - everything just "fit." When I returned from putting 1200 miles on the rental, I knew the 2015 Sonata needed to be on my list. No, it was not as sporty to drive as either the Mazda 6 or the Accord, and it didnt have the AWD of the Legacy. But it had won over not only my head, but my heart as well. To me, I get 90% of the driving quality/enjoyment of the Mazda 6, whereas the 6s taut ride gives me only 60% of the Sonatas ride quality. The Legacys AWD was also a big draw. But the Sonata was just the best overall car for me and my wife. And the deal we got from Hyundai was markedly better than the deals offered on the other models, so the deal was sealed. We are now happily driving a 2.4 Limited (power is just fine, by the way), averaging right at 30+ mpg in mixed driving, and we have every technological and safety feature (except AWD) we could want. And finally, while looks are subjective, I think the 2015 Sonata looks much more refined than the 2014 model. If you are looking for a midsize sedan, dont overlook this car. It may not exactly fit your needs, but it surely fits ours. I am nearly 65, and this will be our "retirement trip" car for the next number of years. We are very happy with our purchase!

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  awesome - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Melissa - November 15 - 11:30 pm

  Its an awesome car...by far the best one i owned- considing I had a daewoo!