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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  Best value in car industy - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Owen - December 27 - 10:28 pm

  I bought the car in July 09 with 12,000 miles on it. I have since put about 6k miles on it and the car is superb. The engine is quite yet powerful. The design and look of the car rivals some of the 2009 and 2010 models out there now. The looks is absolutely timeless. This is my first Hyundai and I have to say I think I have found the company I will give my future business to. The only complaint I have is that the suspension is a little noisy. Sometimes even little bumps in the road sounds like your hitting a big pothole.

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  MY SILVER JAG WISH U AR - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By LIL JAG - December 22 - 10:00 am

  DRIVES GREAT AND YOU GET ALOT OF LOOKS

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  Good Car , Dealer Service Questionable - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata GLS V6 - December 16 - 10:40 pm

  Car seems to be above average, but service dept. stinks. Engine warning light problems, ABS noise, and transmission concerns. Not sure if hyundai will be my next car. Jury still out.

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  Junk Vehicle - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Harvey Gosser - December 12 - 1:42 pm

  purchase used with 29000 miles. Vibration at 45 miles per hour. dealer adjusted transmission. still vibrates shakes. Door locks quit, dealer install new lock. Now valves are clattering at cold start, left overnight at dealer twice so they could hear noise. Still clattering, must return to dealer again to try & find out problem. Obviously the clattering is metal to metal until oil gets to the valves. Feel every single bump in road like a truck. Car now has 34000 miles & I am real worried it will continue to fall apart. wish i had spent a little more & got toyota or honda. Compare to a yugo. never ever consider buying this car. i read many reviews but most only owner for about a year. beware.

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  Big Red - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Big Red - December 12 - 12:34 pm

  Difficulty entering and exiting for those with mobility issues due to the high rise of door inside door seals.

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  This is my 1st Car Ever - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tony1stCar - December 8 - 12:41 pm

  This car is really great. it is a very stylish car and many people think that i am driving a Jaguar. This car is very well built. It can fit 5 people very comfortably. The trunk space is very large which is a good to always have. But my antenna broke. Due to the motor burn out. So now i can get the AM stations. I am curious about how it will drive in the snow because it has no traction control nor ABS.

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  Thought It Was Good! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tyler James - December 4 - 11:39 pm

  I Like The Car. I Like The Features. However its not dependable. changed alternator, cv shafts. Oh. Did i mention the whole engine. ?? Yea. follow maintenance intervals for timing belts. they tend to break and kill your engine. My car is nice. wish it was a little better on fuel, a little more dependable, and it came with more features. Then Again I only have the base. My car is going on 7 years old and it is still a head turner. I will drive it until i graduate college. But I doubt Id Buy another one. 154,000 miles on body. 7,000 on engine. still going strong. HOPE IT LASTS!! Thanks.

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  Hyundai Sonata 3.3L V6 review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - November 30 - 9:47 pm

  I Love my car but my problems with it is the bulbs on the rear and head lights and fog lights go out every 2months or so and the vinyl shades want stay up they keep falling down, I think Im going to buy me a Nissan Altima 3.5 SE next time because Hyundai is not a great product to buy when it comes to havent it long term. So Nissan here I come

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  GREAT CAR, except breaks - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave NY - November 30 - 11:49 am

  My first brand new car purchase. I have loved the car for 5.5 years, longest I have owned a car by 200%. Only prob has been breaks...needed new rotors all around after 20k. Needed more work another 15k into it. Tires replaced at about 35k. I dont drive the car aggressively. Everything else was amazing. Trading it in, got $5k for it. Not bad, I paid $14,600 with sunroof 5.5 years ago.

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  Trans Issue! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By DAM - November 27 - 12:16 am

  Was on cloud 9 when driving home w/my new 2011 sonata, until 2 weeks and 680 miles later, on my birthday, to find myself calling roadside assistance 1 hr before having to leave for an event, when I placed my car in drive and it went into reverse! Thinking I was crazy, I tried 3x from park to drive with no luck. Called my husband to witness this, and 2 additional bystanders saw my car problem, car was in drive & went into reverse without foot on gas! They reset computer and do not know why this happened, but dealership and Hyundai want car to duplicate problem before they will take action! Do not feel safe and I am not the happy car owner I was 2 weeks ago! I will continue to take action!