The Sonata's recent freshening brought all-new exterior styling, a more comfortable ride, a modern infotainment screen, and an easier-to-use column-mounted twist-action gear selector instead of the former model's flush buttons.
The standard 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder coupled to an eight-speed automatic provides smooth and unobtrusive--if uninspiring--power, and got 30 mpg overall in our testing.
The Sonata is also available with all-wheel drive.
The hybrid version, which we had previously tested, returned an excellent 44 mpg overall, but we found that its six-speed automatic delivers some rough shifts.
Handling is responsive and secure, and the Sonata managed competitively short stopping distances.
The front seats are reasonably comfortable, and the rear seat is roomy for the class, although the car’s low stance makes getting in and out a bit difficult.
The trunk is spacious.
The sporty N Line version uses a 290-hp, 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The redesigned 2020 Sonata has a sleek, coupe-like silhouette.
The standard 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is coupled to an eight-speed automatic provides unobtrusive, linear power, and 31 mpg overall.
The uplevel 180-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine provides readily available power at lower revs.
The hybrid version gets an excellent 44 mpg but delivers rough shifts from its six-speed transmission.
New for 2021 is the Sonata N-Line, a high performance version.
Handling is responsive, but the ride is rather stiff.
Rear seat room is decent, although the low stance compromises access.
The modern cabin is marred by a counterintuitive push-button gear selector.
An 8-inch touch screen came standard until the 2024 model year and is easy to use.
A larger 12.3-inch screen became standard beginning with 2024.
Heated and cooled front seats are optional, among other upscale features.
Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assistance.
The 2015 Sonata models may be less stylish than the previous generation but it remains a roomy, comfortable riding sedan with easy to use controls.
The rear seat is particularly generous.
Handling isn't particularly engaging, but secure.
Most versions have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic that make for an unobtrusive powertrain.
We got 28 mpg overall.
High end versions get a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo that makes the car quicker and quieter.
The hybrid version has the same virtues, but with the added initial boost of the electric drive.
Unlike other hybrids, it has a conventional automatic transmission rather than a continuously variable one, giving the car a more natural feel.
We got an impressive 39 mpg with it.
The 2011 to 2014 generation was a major leap forward in terms of style and capability.
The base four-cylinder supplies reasonable acceleration and returned 27 mpg overall in our testing.
We also tested the more powerful 2.0-liter turbo that gives the car more oomph and got 25 mpg overall.
Controls are easy to use.
Handling is fairly nimble, but the ride is rather firm.
Road noise is evident in all versions, which makes the car feel less substantial.
We suggest finding a Sonata with the optional power driver's seat; otherwise the seat might be too low and lack some adjustments.
The swoopy styling made for challenging rear visibility and rear-seat access.
Although stability control and side curtain airbags became standard for the 2006 Sonata, don't expect this generation to provide the same level of crash protection as the more recent Sonata models.
The four-cylinder engine averaged 26 mpg, which was very good for that vintage.
High-end versions came with a 3.3-liter V6, which was quieter and made the car smoother and quicker, but averaged only 21 mpg.
Handling was rather ponderous, but ultimately secure.
The ride seems absorbent at first, but broken pavement punches through in a pronounced way.
The seats aren't very supportive, but the rear is roomy and visibility is unrestricted.
The Sonata grew larger and benefited from a much-improved interior design.
The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine got more power, and a 3.0-liter V6 was optional.
The Sonata was redesigned 1999, gaining a more refined V6 and a quieter interior.
It has a decent ride and secure, if not very nimble, handling.
2002 brought a facelift and a larger V6.
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