Hyundai is known for its competitively priced cars that come with great warranty coverage. Its Sonata is no different. The mid-size car is not just affordable but also feature-rich, offering excellent fuel economy, comfort, and exterior design. The car also has all the necessary tech and driver assist features, making it a great option for families. So, if one is looking for a comfortable, well-equipped, mid-size sedan, then the Hyundai Sonata is worth considering.

Changes to expect
The Hyundai Sonata now comes with a more aggressive-looking lower grille and a full-width headlight bar. Hyundai has also added a curved display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel to the car. It is easy to connect one’s phone to the infotainment system. When it comes to trim levels, one can no longer get the base SE trim, but one can find this model at a Hyundai Sonata clearance sale. If choosing from the current line-up, what was previously the mid-tier SEL trim is now the cheapest way to get a Sonata. Also, the car no longer has a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and instead comes with a 2.5-liter engine.

Key features
1. Comfort
The Hyundai Sonata is unquestionably comfortable. While the padding in the front seats can feel a bit stiff, the rear seats are quite comfortable. As for the ride, the Sonata strikes the right balance between control and comfort. The suspension in the hybrid easily absorbs impact without feeling soft or floaty on curving paths. The climate control system is also a highlight, easily regulating cabin temperature even in auto mode. But, the wind and road noise can be a bit disruptive. While not loud, occupants can hear engine noises at freeway speeds.

When it comes to interior styling, the Sonata has an upscale, sporty look that makes it look quite premium. Also, Hyundai has moved the transmission selector to the steering column, offering occupants more space to store personal items in the center console, which is about 5.5 inches deep. It comes with cupholders that can easily hold larger bottles and cups. The cargo space is standard for a mid-size car, but it comes with a big trunk opening, making loading and unloading easy. There is also enough room in the rear portion of the car for installing child safety seats. However, the lower car seat anchors are somewhat buried in the upholstery, making installation a bit tricky. 

2. Performance
The Hyundai Sonata offers decent acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. It also drives well in city traffic. But on a freeway, one may begin to notice a bit more effort in driving. The brakes are smooth and can halt seamlessly in an emergency. A drawback is the tire grip while driving around town. As for fuel economy, the best option is the Sonata Hybrid SEL, which can offer a combined mileage of 47 mpg—the best one can expect from any top-performing midsize hybrid sedan.

3. Exterior
One of the key highlights of the Hyundai Sonata is its futuristic exterior, as the mid-size car segment is known for its bland designs. Sonata’s light body and signature lines make for a stunning car.

4. Technology
The Hyundai Sonata comes with great tech, with its infotainment screen size and responsiveness being exceptional compared with other cars in the segment. Seamless smartphone integration and handy voice controls make navigation easier. The system also responds well to speech commands. The screen works well while parking using the available surround-view camera system. In addition, the Hyundai Sonata’s assistive driver aids make the ride safer. However, the warning sensors are often too sensitive. Another highlight is the side-view camera in the instrumental panel, which makes lane merging easier.

5. Options
The Hyundai Sonata comes in four trims—SEL, N Line, SEL Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid. The  SEL variant is the base trim, equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder. It can generate 181 lb-ft of torque and 191 hp. One can choose between the optional all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. The eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across trims. The N line variant is the sporty model here, offering 311 lb-ft of torque and 290 hp with its 2.5-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. This trim cannot be paired with an AWD system. The Limited Hybrid and SEL Hybrid come with a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine with a hybrid powertrain and a six-speed automatic system, generating 190 hp. The hybrid trims come with front-wheel-drive systems but offer the best fuel economy.

Price
Hyundai Sonata offers great value for money, owing to its features, warranty coverage, and interior and exterior styling. The price starts at $28,650, but depending on the upgrades and trims, it can go up to $38,350. One may get the car at a more affordable price by buying it from a Hyundai Sonata clearance sale.