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:

• 

  Very nice car! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By toysax - October 23 - 12:23 pm

  I have my Limited and have driven it about 300 miles. 1st impressions: Steering, after one day was no issue very controlled, very tight turning radius. Exterior style? Had a group of 4 guys gawking it while I did errands in a strip mall. Incidentally the pacific blue pearl is a great color, from far away its a dark navy blue, get close up, especially on a bright day and the metallic undertone looks great! Interior: comfortable slick sporty, leather and chrome works well. Drive, it DOESNT have that instant burst of power that a 6 gives you but it picks it up fast and moves great. Passing at any speed , no problem. Using the gate shift adds some torque,

• 

  Just Say Yes - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ms. Brown - October 22 - 4:20 am

  All I can say is that Hyundai has really impressed me. I never thought I would purchase a Hyundai because of all the negative comments I read on the previous models. I traded in my 2010 Toyota Camry XLE V6 and to my surprise it drives the same to me. I really enjoy looking at my car and driving it. Dont take our word for, just go in and test drive one.

• 

  sonata LX - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By jcoastal91 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  very satisfied with my car. Luxury at a fair and reasonable price. Warranty is super. 3rd hyundai that I have bought in the last 3 years. Dealership customership service could improve. Disconnect among differnet services departments within the company.

• 

  Dont be afraid of Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By WM/Charlotte - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I really like the design. From the front people think its a Mercedes. Im tall and the headroom and seat room beat most of the other cars I considered.

• 

  Squeaky Squaky Suspension - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Helen - October 19 - 2:57 pm

  I love my 06. Bought it used. Only one thing I hate besides the seat belt chime is the car creaks and groans over speed bumps and or rough driveways. Sounds like the rear window is being flexed or something back there is flexing and creaking. Dealer cant find anything. Theyve reinforced the package shelf and replaced the rear shocks. No noise when its rainy outside and the road is wet. Anybody have this problem or have a solution? Great car, otherwise!

• 

  Great Bargain - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By JohnMi - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Great price, has all the features as the more expensive cars. Runs great, have averaged 24 MPG in the city. Have not taken it to the country yet. Has the big car feeling when on the road. Looks good, drives good has plenty of features.

• 

  Radio gave way - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By nonnocere - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my Sonata a week ago. LX with all the works including moonroof, homelink. Hadnt driven it only even 100 miles when the radio went out. Radio fuse was intact. Took it dealer, theyre replacing the entire radio, well see if it causes me more problems. The ride, however, is superb, and overall am very happy with the puchase. Good acceleration. Quiet over NYC potholes.

• 

  What a Car! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lancer - October 15 - 3:50 pm

  I took delivery of a red Sonata SE 2011 3 months ago and Im very impressed with it. Looks terrific, does everything well and beyond, great gas mileage, very comfortable. It doesnt get any better even at much higher price.

• 

  Love this Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By michaellcul - October 11 - 11:10 am

  I get stopped all the time and asked what kind of car I have. I used to have a Genesis and everyone loved that car too. Hyundai makes great cars.

• 

  Very happy customer - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Carolyn - October 11 - 12:13 am

  I am very happy with my Hyundai Sonata. It feels like Im driving a much more expensive car. Even the buying experience was pleasant. Im so glad I chose the Hyundai Sonato instead of the Toyota Camry (my previous car).