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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  2001hyundia - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alexmyman - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought for value with features? Was leary at first? After one year of driving it and with a few long trips under its belt I fell in love with it. I have a trailer hitch attached and found it quite capable of pulling a decent size load. Gas mileage city around 23 mpg (imperial) highway average is around 35 mpg (imperial) Only problem I had is when getting gas filled up If the gas cap isnt turned tight enough the check engine light comes on and Its a trip to the dealer to fix it.Dealer excellent!!!

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  Dont buy this car. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By dave436 - March 19 - 7:35 pm

  I owned 2012 Sonata Limited and 7500 mileage. You will get feeling so bad and get tired because of wandering while drive. (especially on Highway) The poor steering wont be centered as much as 1/2 inches.(left and right) Dealer and Customer center seemed like they have no solution about this so far. Id like you to go with Honda accord. Im waiting for my payoff day.

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  8 years of non-stop service - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pragnesh Patel - March 18 - 3:35 am

  I bought this car new in Jun 2008. Almost 8 years and 85K. Dealer has free life time oil change. Only maintenance was 25K and 50K service. Two Alignments, One set of 4 tires, couple of lamps, one battery. Looking to change spark plugs in next two weeks and another alignment. Two small hits from behind. Drove every where, sea coast on eastern coast, mountains of yellow stone and smokys, from Northern border to southern border. Works like champ. Hyundai is worth the money. Initially 24 city/39 hwy, now 22 city/34 hwy

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  Were so glad! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By The McKinney Gang - March 17 - 11:46 pm

  Its been four weeks since we bought our fourth Hyundai, and I still cant believe how much were enjoying it. Whisper quiet, smooth power and handling without being vague, incredible gas mileage, supreme comfort, endless features, dual exhaust. Showed it to Nana, and she went right out and traded her Civic for a four cyl. Sonata! You can complain, or just buy a Hyundai and be happy.

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  Simple Elegance - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By tracer - March 16 - 3:06 am

  I cant believe I bought a Hyundai. Ive got a mercedes, BMW, Honda, and now a 2009 Sonata. Ive got to say, after having the car 3 weeks, Id buy another one. This car is what my recent college grad calls Simple Elegance. Its got the ride and interior of a Lexus, and the fuel economy of a Honda. I bought the car because its got the best warranty in the industry, and the its built in one of the most (if not the most) technically advanced facilities in the world. Im proud to own a Hyundai!

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  love my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ksdriver - March 15 - 11:13 pm

  After shopping all of the competition, I settled on the Sonata. It offered hands down the best value for the money. I have lived with it long enough to rate it. After 6 months and 8000 miles it is quiet and comfortable. It has all the power you need. The poor gas mileage claims are bogus. I consistently get around 24 MPG in town and 29 MPG on the highway.

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  Its what Honda and Toyota used to be - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By milesclew - March 15 - 10:13 pm

  Buying this vehicle loaded gives you most every creature comfort the average driver could want. You just dont get to have a "premium" label on your grill. The ride performance and comfort is top notch, easily matching the Camry or Accord but at a reasonable price. The warranty is great but the quality probably means you wont need the benefits of the warranty; though the security is nice to have. Until recently Hyundai were looked at much the way early Toyotas and Hondas were seen. It took time to realize that these cars were of high quality. For a "family sedan" you cant beat the package you get. Love my nav system, bluetooth, leather, powre and heated seats, remote start...

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  Its AWESOME - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lee - March 15 - 4:40 am

  Ive always been hesitant to even look at Hyundais. When the new Sonata came out I liked the design and decided to take a closer look. OMG. This car blew me away. So I bought it and have not looked back. I am banking on the 100,000 warranty to run out way before this car does. Honda, Toyota, move over... Here comes my Sonata.

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim - March 14 - 12:20 pm

  We bought the bottom of the line with the four cyl. engine, yet the car is loaded. We have put 35,000 miles on the car and it has plenty of power, gets great mileage, responds instantly, has incredible attention to interior details, has the best suspension and ride of any car I have ever owned, and makes me laugh when I take the curves near home. When we first bought the car my wife took it on a three hour trip. She arrived in just over two hours. She admits that she looked down at the speedo and was doing "at least 95" but the ride was so smooth and quiet she just did not realize it (She still wont tell me her actual speed.)

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  Safe, comfortable, gorgeous - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sandi M. - March 13 - 4:39 pm

  I fell in love with my Hyundai the moment the salesman rolled it up to the showroom window for my test drive. I love the body type and color (gun metal grey)and the interior is roomy and comfortable. In December of 07 someone ran a light and T-boned me in my Hyundai. To be more precise they "attempted" to T-bone me...the side impact bars that are inside the door panels saved me from any harm whatsoever. I was hit by an SUV going at 40-45 mph their vehicle was destroyed it the front. You could actually see the outline of the steel bars because the impact was hard enough to wrap the metal of the door around the bar.Thanks Hyundai for saving my life!!!