The Hyundai Sonata is a front-wheel-drive sedan with a roomy cabin, good fuel economy and three engine options. The base engine delivers modest performance, but the available 290-horsepower engine in the N Line is our pick for those who like more spirited driving. The benefit of the less powerful base engine is fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 32 miles per gallon (mpg) combined city/highway; that dips to 27 mpg combined for the N Line.
Inside, the Sonata is attractive with front seats that are comfortable even over longer road trips. Low bolstering helps make them suitable for larger adults. Top trims in the lineup offer beautiful leather trim and heated front seats, but the fabric seats in the base trim still look good, not cheap. There’s plenty of space for three adults in the rear seats with good headroom and legroom even for the long-legged crowd. There’s a place for everyone’s luggage, too, with 16 cubic feet in the trunk and a wide opening for bulky cargo.
An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a six-speaker audio system, while top trim levels get a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker Bose premium audio that sounds wonderful and makes the Sonata feel more premium. The system is easy to use with intuitive menus and responsive touchscreens, so you won’t end up repeatedly stabbing it with your finger in frustration.
Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite has a wide range of standard features, with more advanced options, including the ability to park your car remotely with your key fob (a lifesaver in tight parking spaces), reserved for the top of the lineup. A choice of five trims makes it easy to find a Sonata that fits your needs and your budget, while good reliability ratings make it less likely that you’ll break that budget with repairs.
- Starting Price: $25,450
- EPA-estimated fuel economy: 28/38 mpg city/highway
