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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  Sick Of It!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anita - May 12 - 9:28 pm

  I have had this car for two years. I absolutely loved it when I first got it but that soon changed. First, the power window motor went out which the dealership replaced. Second, the alternator had to be replaced. Third, the engine had to be replaced. Fourth, the flywheel had to be replaced. Im just waiting to see what goes out next. I called the dealership to try to trade this piece of junk and was told to come down and they would help me trade and give me the employee price. That was a joke. I purchased a lemon from them and I was stuck with it. I wouldnt recommend this car or the dealership.After reading the reviews, most people seem to be satisfied. Now I know I purchased a lemon.

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  Great car until 100K mile, now very disappointed - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - May 11 - 5:45 pm

  All schedule maintenance had been done on my car and despite that. Right after my 100K warranty ran out in year number 3! 1. Starter failed at 105K miles 2. Engine replaced at 135K miles after usual hwy trip the engine light flickered went off and then followed by engine noise *(knocking or ping). Other than that great car. I thought this car would have been as reliable as my 2001 Hynadia Elantra which is still running with 207K mile on it.

• 

  Correct - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By Marie Jocelyne Lundi - February 24 - 11:17 am

  The driving of this car has been normal.It has been reliable wherever I wanted to go with.

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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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  BAD Choice - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By New Owner - January 1 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car, after reading all the good things about it online, Plus good features and support. But after owning it from last 3 months, i feel it was a bad, Bad, BAD decision and i should have gone for Camry. The Vehicle has very high inside noise (No aerodynamics at all), Cold start is really really BAD and noisy. At just 5000 miles, it has started to have some vibration noise, Passenger side air bag OFF sign remains off even when person of 100+ LB sits on it, suspension is not very helpful in rough roads, sometime you literally feel like pushing engine to the full capacity, Driving is no fun, AM radio is not very clear. Never gonna buy anything from Hyundai EVER.

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  not happy - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By george moore - November 26 - 10:00 am

  A little disappointed in this Sonata. Whats this with a vibration when your in drive and sitting at a stopsign or redlight. It just vibrates to much. I realize its a 4 cyl. but this is just uncomfortable for me and we have had the car for only 4 days. Everyone is giving it mostly good reviews, Did I miss something?

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  BEWARE!!! Hyundai Manufacturer "Bumper to Bumper" Warranty Not Always Honored by Dealerships!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By jbcanderson - November 25 - 4:18 pm

  I bought an 09 Sonata V6 Limited in Dec of 08 and an Azera in Mar of 09. Both cars have needed repairs which I was assured by Hyundai Motors were covered by their bumper to bumper warranties, but which a local dealer, Doral Hyundai, refused to warranty, claiming owner fault rather than factory defect. They are [non-permissible content removed] extraordinaire! It is impossible to get them to fix anything under warranty; they always try to charge the vehicle owner. Hyundai has no way to make a dealer honor the factory warranty, claiming dealers are franchises and they cant make them do anything! Each dealer decides what they will or will not warranty. I had to "shop" for a dealer that would honor the warranty.

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  (Sadly) Owning is Believing - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By patchman - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Good first impressions of the car. It rides very comfortably and quietly. Alot of car for the money. BUT be prepared to know your service writer on a first name basis. Mine proved to be very problematic. Brakes (front and rear) power windows (both front windows, twice) various rattles etc. Worst, I had a continuing engine cutout problem that finally caused me to file for the "lemon law" in my state. Hyundai Motor America was not helpful in any way. BEWARE!! You DO get what you pay for. Mine is now gone at 22000 miles.

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  Oh. Ver. Rated. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John K. - November 3 - 9:53 pm

  The windshield defogger fogs up the windshield exterior, obscuring my view – to me, a major hazard. The driver’s seat only supports up to my shoulder blades. I can tolerate it for about 30 minutes. The light on the PRND console indicator is distractingly bright; the ride is harsh, choppy, noisy; the electronic door lock doesn’t always lock the doors; observed gas mileage is nowhere near published figures; the vague digital readout of the gas gauge won’t allow close scrutiny when nearing empty; the tilt/telescope steering column and remote outside mirror control feel cheap and don’t operate smoothly; the steering column doesn’t lock when the ignition is off; high beams are not very bright.

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  I regret the day I considered Hyundai - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By chris512 - October 20 - 12:07 pm

  The harshest ride Ive ever experienced from a sedan. Either the suspension is too tight or the Kumho tires are too hard? or both? If youve even owned a small pick-up and experienced the rear end bounce from being too lite, thats what I feel in the Sonata. Ive put 100 pounds of sand in the trunk, deflated the tires to 28 psi, and bought a memory foam seat cushion, and still feel the rear end hop. My only hope is to live with it until January (new tax year) and dump it. At about 100 miles the center console started to rattle.