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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  Great Car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - May 19 - 10:40 am

  Just passed 90K with no major problems. Changed timing belt, spark plugs and trans/coolant fluids. Front brakes at 75,000 miles and regular oil changes are all that has been required. Runs great, very smooth. Best car for the money I have ever purchased new.

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  Great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ric - May 17 - 2:13 pm

  Great handling and performance, big trunk, $6k less than Honda or Camry, have 40k miles, tires to be replaced soon, brake pads good for another 10k, seats leather good quality, mileage 20 in town 30 highway fast driving engine computer/02sensors/mixture control have problems-carry obdii reader to reset engine codes, best car in 60 yrs.

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  Solid Transportation But - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By BigJim - May 15 - 1:49 am

  I now have 94K miles and the car has provided 100% reliable transportation. Most reliable car Ive ever owned. BUT - the electric antenna never worked right from day one, the clock goes on and off and I cant turn the radio off. It keeps coming on at random times. Love the car, it drives wonderfully, very comfortable, no repairs except oil and tires. Good mileage. Still looks shiny and new. The Rick Case purchasing experience was horrible (very manipulative) and their service dept isnt any better. They charged me $460 to do back breaks but only did one and charged me for both. Found a work light hanging from my car when I got home! Ill buy another Sonata soon but not from them.

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  My first car! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Deputy Tut - May 14 - 1:10 pm

  This is my first car and i love it! But i have a few problems. The caps for the fogs lights come off real easily. I have a check engine light on for a cylinder 3 misfire. The emergency brake barely works, the headlights dont last long. The power steer is shot. The power antenna doesnt work. But it is an extremely reliable car. I plan to own it for a long time. I would recommend this car to anybody.

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  Hasnt cost me a cent in repairs - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pearl - May 13 - 11:58 pm

  Ive owned this car for 8 years and other than oil changes and brakes, it hasnt cost me a cent. There was only one minor steering problem a few years ago, which was covered under warranty. It still rides like new. I would keep this car forever, but Im ready to try out a Hyundai Santa Fe. Hands down, best car Ive ever owned, and Ive owned quite a few over the years.

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  No problems - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By None - May 13 - 5:47 pm

  Like very much, very reliable so far. Cheap to maintain at independent garage [former Hyundai dealership mechanics run garage]. Have only done oil changes, and recommended Hyundai maintenance. Much better car than a Camry.

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  TIMOTHY - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Timothy - May 11 - 2:06 pm

  Ive had two Sonatas since 2001 and they have BOTH been without major problems. Great little cars, Great price and minor write-up have been resolved by Hyundai. By the way, Im REALLY NOT an employee!!

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  Hyundai should honor their repairs - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By jamesw71 - May 10 - 10:02 pm

  I bought it new back in 2004. Stepson crashed it 3 months after I bought it. The dealership is having problems fixing it and honoring my insurance claims. Approximately once a year it wont start. They claimed they fixed it by doing such things as disabling the antitheft system, changing the battery and replacing sensors but I still have the problems. Insurance wont honor the claim anymore saying its a sensor problem even though its the same problem from the crash, the dealership is charging me $500 a year to change the same sensor over and over. Statefarm Insurance and Hyundai are screwing me over on this one. Exterior is coming apart..again, radio problems & door handle problems.

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  My First Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By j0anne@bellsouth.net - May 10 - 9:18 am

  I have a 100 mile commute to work. This is primarily driven on a Interstate. Nothing has been replaced on the car except for the air conditioner condenser, because a rock punctured the original. As of today I have 119,000 on the car and still enjoy it like it was new. My next car is going to be the Sonata Hybrid. Thanks for making a great car.

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  Best Car Ever! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By waterloggg - May 1 - 1:27 am

  This was the best car we ever had! all we had to do was normal oil and tire changes. We owned the car for 4 years, until recently when I was in an accident. The car was totaled and the insurance company is only offering 1/2 of what we still owe! I kid you not when I say this was the best car ever! I was told that I was lucky, this car did what it was supposed to do and that was to keep those in the vehicle safe. I wish I had my car back! I cannot afford another one since i have to still pay 1/2 of the loan for a car I do not have! I can not afford to buy a car at all. If I could I would buy another in a heart beat. My 4 boys miss it just as much as I do, if not more. Thank You!