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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  New car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By boyd - February 13 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased this car a day ago, I now have 100+ miles on it and so far so good. The engine is unreal only a four cyl. but acts like a six or eight. Since it is so new I really dont Know about reliability yet hence the lower rating. The one thing I can say is it was the best car buying experience I have ever had. The car is outstanding so many standard options it takes awhile to get use to driving it. I keep a car a long time so I hope the reliability is there. It rides a little stiff but I think its because of the low profile tires. All in all you cant beat it for the money which by the way we got a great deal from Pecheles Hyundai.

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  great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By wenslaw - February 13 - 8:26 am

  Now have 7000 miles is this vehicle. Absolutely no problems. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Low MPG - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By lasthyundai - February 13 - 6:59 am

  Disappointing gas mileage. Divide mileage by gallons and find its only getting about 24mpg for mixed city/hwy. Thats with the eco mode on and gentle driving. Not what I was led to believe. Steering is a little twitchy on the freeway. Seats are a little firm. Other than that its a nice car. So far no problems.

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  My Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By GCD - February 13 - 12:20 am

  I saw it and I liked it looks. I drove it I loved the way it drove so I bought it.

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  Not Feeling It Anymore.. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By niteflite888 - February 10 - 11:16 pm

  30k update. The pulling problem is pretty severe. The tires began to cup some times ago and the ride is noisy. Took to dealer and they wanted me to pay a few hundred bucks for some work-around to address unadjustable camber. I refuse to pay out of pocket to fix anything on a car with such low mileage. MPG calculator is not accurate. Power window doesnt function at times. Will steer clear of hyundai next time and stick to toyota or honda. maybe even a ford or cadillac.

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  Commuter Dream - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ubewell - February 10 - 2:53 am

  My wife drives this car 80% of the time to make her daily 36 mile round trip commute to work and home. It has made quite an impact on her when you consider our previous car was a shaker and rattler. The interior of this car is large with lots of rear leg room. Fit and finish is quite pleasant and unexpected in a car priced below equally equipped Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys. Those two models would easily have been two or three thousand additional dollars. Our only complaint to date has been squeeky brakes when reversing. (Paid our dealer to fix but came back just as bad!) Ride is quiet and comfortable. Superior warranty sold me right away. Doors sound great and solid when closed.

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  2009 Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By W. J. - February 9 - 7:50 pm

  If the badging were removed, it would be difficult to tell who built it. Hyundai has come a long way since the early Sonatas and have caught if not surpassed the great cars Honda and Toyota had been dominant in for so many years. We are extremely impressed with this build quality Hyundai has put into the Sonata for thousands less than the benchmarks.

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  Great car, great price and relaible. - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By fjnlcpc - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in 2001 as new.Had previously ownes a Elantra wagon and a Santa Fe. Both also excellent and with standard 4. Friends thought Hyundai was cheap etc. you know the old stories. Well i am known to be smart when spending and Hyundai gives dollar for dollar the best deal in quality, reliability and well they won me over big time.

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  A classy car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By rennattaangel - February 8 - 2:00 am

  the Sonata ia a wonderful car. Roomy but elegant. Easy handeling but classy. A Lady feels like a Lady driving this car!

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  WOW! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Liv - February 7 - 10:30 pm

  We are on Hyundai #7 now. What a difference since the first excel. Love my new sonata ltd with nav. I was really Leary of the 4 cylinder. Then I drove it. Went back and drove it again. I am absolutely amazed at the power, beauty, ease of use of all of my amenities. I recommend everyone drive one!