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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  Mixed Feelings - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By mr_keating - January 3 - 12:14 pm

  I purchased the 2008 Sonata GLS about three years ago. I immediately noticed a lag or hesitation when the trans shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. Came to find out that Sonatas have tranny issues, and have for years. Interior build quality is cheap. Lots of squeking from the plastic sections of the dash. Not a lot of pick-up at lower speeds, but does fairly well at highway speeds.

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  Falling Apart!!! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By nolagirl - December 28 - 8:51 pm

  Im at 57k miles now. Currently my car is sitting with a locked ignition and steering wheel waiting to be repaired. The car looks nice and does well on the highway. However, if it is plastic, it is broken or will break soon. So far, visors are broken, the front skirt is cracked, paint flaking everywhere, drivers seat only goes back, not up, the seat adjustment control falls off every time I get out the car, the passenger side view mirror housing is broken ($300 paint & replacement) and yesterday my back drivers side door handle fell off. This car is built of extremely CHEAP materials. The interior is very worn also despite being a 2007 that isnt heavily driven. Never again!

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  Catalytic converter problems - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By dartman7 - November 30 - 5:16 pm

  I bought a new Kia Sephia and had bad rotors after 2 years. Then, after 79000 miles, it had a bad front catalytic converter. I thought it might be a fluke, so I decided to buy a new 2005 Sonata, even though theyre made by the same company. After 2 years the rotors went bad and warped. Then, 5 1/2 years and 63000 miles, the front catalytic converter went bad. I will not buy any Kia or Hyundai again, no matter how good of a deal it may be.

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  Bit of a dissapointment - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By forbor - September 29 - 7:41 pm

  Heres my story, all true. Love the way the car looks, & performs, but thats where it all falls apart. After about 2 weeks the drivers seat bagan to rock, & squeak, after many trips to the dealer for repairs, it now only rocks. The seat mount plastic cover no longer stays on. Stereo cuts out intermittently over bumps, this problem seemed to correct itself. More steering wheel mounted radio controls wouldve been nice (no tune button). Appx 50k mi. the timing chain tensioner hung up, & valve inbeds into piston, nice! Recall for this ended in 06. Paint thin, & flakes off. Seems like hyundai has a bit to learn about making cars, last one ill buy I think.

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  yay i bought a car... - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By carchris07 - August 27 - 11:37 pm

  Got my Sonota because of consumer reviews saying how much they all loved there car. Not the case with me. Took it off the lot and cerpintene belt immediatley started squiling, something not right with ignition(car hesitates),speakers started ratelling and check engine light came on. Repaired the cerpentine belt twice only for the d*mn thing to start squeling again. Decided to deal with it till driving to work one morning and com sensor went (took hyundai 3 days to figure out). 29 day mark of ownership, had the car taken to the dealership. oh ya, was very comfortable to drive, an only 60,000 miles.

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  Tough Couple of Years - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By mike334 - July 31 - 9:26 am

  I bought this car late 2008 with 31K miles, thinking it was worth not spending the extra 4 grand for an Accord. Issues with interior pieces, rattles, ignition lock, etc. Issues with rear brakes and suspension noises. Junction (fuse) box shorted out. Noise from failing timing chain tensioner that will eventually fail. Hyundai parts are very costly, and local repair shops in my corner of the world are mystified by Hyundais. These cars are probably fine for someone who drives 10,000 miles per year, but the components just dont hold up for someone like myself who uses the car for business at 2.5 times that mileage. FYI, all the required maintenance was done, and promptly, to no avail.

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  B R O K E N WINDOWS! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By jennifer_c620 - June 5 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my 2007 Hyundai Sonata with about 44K miles, now it has over 66K and before I hit my 6 year/60K warrenty expiration, my left side rear window broke and was stuck in the down position, thankfully, Hyundai fixed it at NO charge, However, now that Im over the warrenty, my right side rear window has broken, in the down position . What is wrong with this company and its cheap parts??? I owned a Nissan before this and never had any issues like this. Also my paint is bubbling off on the mirrors, so far, this is the only place its pealing. Though, when I bought the car, it had been REPAINTED on the hood and front bumper due to paint bubbling. I never had faith in Hyundai and still dont!!

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  Dont trust Hyundai Warranty - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By kd_singh - May 25 - 6:31 pm

  Despite all the claims by Hyundai on having a great warranty..the Hyundai commitment to service is not trust worthy.. The general guideline to the dealership is avoid accepting the faults in the car..till the warranty runs out..Once its run out they start pointing out faults that you have always been asking them to repair... simply the Hyundai approach is to avoid acceptance of any fault in the cars..temporary fix the problem when customer insists or adamant. Buy it if you just want to keep it for 60, 000 miles..after that it is your risk..no matter how well you kept your car..it will haunt you! whatever was fixed once will break again!

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  Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By no1 - May 12 - 7:14 am

  Dont buy a Hyundai. The 06 Sonata is my 4th of 5 Hyundais. At 74,000 miles the airbag warning light came on. The dealer wants $1100 to replace the seat sensor. Asked for assistance from Hyundai. No thanks,its 15,000 miles out of warranty. Still has powertrain though. This is the second time ive asked Hyundai to repair a safety issue out of the base warranty and the second time theyve refused. That wont happen with Toyota or Honda.So dont buy a Hyundai. When the cars age and safety issues happen,they will show you to the curb.

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  Buy a Ford - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By rotag - May 11 - 7:21 pm

  Bought this car with 16,000 miles in Jan 09 and a 08 Ford Fusion with 10,000 miles in Feb 09. Both have 45k now and the Fusion hasnt had one issue, zero. the Hyundai has had so many issues I cant mention them all here. Additionally, I caught the dealer ripping me off. Hyundai corporate is terrible and doesnt care. Had issue with fuel tank where after the pump would shut off when filling the tank with gas it would "burp" and spit up gas...took 7 trips to the dealership to fix. Have replaced all 4 tires and all 4 brakes...again no issues with Ford. The only saving grace is the repairs are covered under warranty although Id rather have a call without a warranty that wont break.