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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  Doing well at 3,800+ miles - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By maximize - February 2 - 10:36 am

  So far, the Sonata has been living up to most of my expectations. I bought a Pacific Blue Pearl w/ popular package. As I expected, the ride is between a Camry and Accord; not as floaty as a Camry and not as sporty as an Accord. The exterior design is better (in my opinion) than all the other midsized sedans out there right now. Interior cluster, layout is better also. The oil filter and drain plug position is great. I only hope that the carbon deposit issues found in direct injected engines that Audi, VW, and BMW have/had does not occur to the Sonata; time will tell. For $22,3xx.00 drive out, I believe this is the best bang for the buck right now.

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  great buy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Al - February 1 - 11:00 am

  great car for the money. you get all the extras that others charge extra for.fit and finish is much better than most other cars at this price range.

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  Sonata keeps getting better - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By fokker45 - February 1 - 6:24 am

  This is my third Sonata, a 2007, 2010, now a 2013. Each is better than the last. I have the Limited with the 2.0 Turbo. It is as fast as the old muscle cars, but smoother and more conomical. Interior is nicer than in the past, dash layout is good and the instrument panel lighting is very sharp. Seats are comfortable and both front and back are heated. Compared to my V-6 Sonata, Im getting 3 to 4 mpg better milage and with better performance. As for reliability, none of my Sonatas ever needed warranty service. The style is better than cars costing twice as much. Every time I park next to a luxury car, I still prefer the Sonata styling and the high quality of the pain

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  Excellent - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By LoveSonata - January 28 - 2:10 pm

  Best mid size car I never seen before. Its amazing.

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  The car to buy - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By kofender - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Very simply, everything you really need is in this car. Its not expensive, but it is surprisingly well built. It is not a speed demon, but do you really need to be runing your engine with hard accelerations? You cant beat the value for the price. Everything you really need is here and all the frills (except a navigation system, but do you really need one to get around your own neighborhood) are here too. And heck, its about $8000 than a similar Accord or Camry.

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  GLS Sonata was my Easiest Purchase yet - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By johnnyatbat - January 25 - 3:53 am

  I have owned both Toyota and Honda vehicles over the years, but tried the Sonata this time because my co-worker got one and he likes to run cars till the wheels fall off. I told him I was thinking about a new car and he let me try his Sonata Limited. Whoah- I was surprised- it was better than what I expected from a Hyundai. The Sonata had Side curtain airbags, Stability control, XM radio, roadside assistance and a 10 year warranty- ALL STANDARD! If you try it, youÂ’ll rethink paying more for a Toyota and Honda with far less features. For me, the Sonata GLS had everything I wanted, except in- dash NAV. I never had satellite radio in a car before, and this XM radio rocks!

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  Love it - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By whateverusay600 - January 24 - 9:13 am

  I just bought this car after driving a Grand Am for 7 years. The Sonata drives so smooth and is so quiet I can hardly tell its running. So far I love it and so does everyone who has ridden in it.

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  Rain Not - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Nogo - January 23 - 10:00 am

  The car is well worth the money thats paid for it because of all of the extra options that are includede with it, along with its 100,000 mile warrantee.

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  Snazzy car! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By William Rice - January 23 - 4:25 am

  I don"t know where or how these other drivers are driving, but my experience has been much different. We just got 35 mpg on a road trip of 1600 miles and I never get less than 29 combined. We have a limited version and couldnt be happier. Nice job Hyundai. Wash. state driver

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  First Impressions - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom K. - January 21 - 11:03 am

  Just bought it this past weekend, but already I know Im going to like this car a LOT. Im only getting 19.5 MPG on the first tank, but well see how it goes. Got a GREAT deal. A lot of car for the money. Excellent quality.