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2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL grill

2025 Hyundai Sonata review

Nick Kurczewski, Edmunds Contributor
Nick Kurczewski | Edmunds Contributor
September 3, 2025

The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan with an enviable reputation for delivering a lot of car for the money. The Sonata is available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, and it comes with a traditional gas-powered four-cylinder or an available hybrid powertrain. This latest version also boasts a sport-tuned model, the N Line, which comes fully loaded and has a turbocharged four-cylinder with strong acceleration and instant passing power. For those who routinely are running late to work or dropping the kids off at school, this speedy Sonata is an under-the-radar sport sedan. With industry-leading warranty coverage, the Sonata also has a practical side to it. A recent redesign brought with it updated styling inside and out, a larger touchscreen interface, and available all-wheel drive. Direct competitors include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Kia K5, Chevrolet Malibu, and Subaru Legacy. 

Explore the evolution of the Hyundai Sonata

Get our expert take on used Hyundai Sonata models, or view year-by-year changes.

Seventh generation
2020 - present
2023 hyundai sonata angled front
$15,998 - $29,998*
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Sixth generation
2015 - 2019
2019 hyundai sonata angled front
$10,998 - $20,998*
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2020 - present

2023 hyundai sonata angled front

Seventh generation Hyundai Sonata

When Hyundai introduced the seventh-generation Sonata for the 2020 model year, the South Korean automaker opted to give its family-friendly conveyance a bold look. The chiseled exterior was complemented by a fresh and modern-looking cabin. One particularly notable design flourish is the daytime running lights that stretch from the headlights onto the hood. Hyundai also wisely kept one of the Sonata’s strongest features: warranty coverage that far surpasses what’s offered on many rival midsize sedans or small SUVs. The 2025 model year consists of four gas-only trims: SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, and N Line. With the Sonata Hybrid, there are two trims: SEL and Limited. 

Since its debut, the Sonata has received a number of updates. The sporty N Line model was added in 2021, for example. The most significant changes occurred for the 2024 model year, when the Sonata received updated exterior styling, a revised cabin, and, for the first time, available all-wheel drive. 

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$15,998 - $29,998

Model highlights

  • Available all-wheel drive (2024)

  • Available turbocharged four-cylinder N Line (2021)

  • 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (2024)

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard

  • Five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty 

  • 10-year/100,000-year powertrain warranty

View year by year changes

2015 - 2019

2019 hyundai sonata angled front

Sixth generation Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata kept true to its value-conscious image when the sixth generation of Hyundai’s midsize sedan arrived for the 2015 model year. In terms of design, it was slightly toned down compared to its curvaceous coupe-like predecessor. Hyundai’s more grown-up demeanor included revisions to give the Sonata a smoother ride. The cabin also grew in size, while a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was added. Despite its budget-friendly price, the Sonata could be outfitted with features like adaptive cruise control, a hands-free trunk, blind-spot warning, and an eight-inch touchscreen. And, as always, Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty coverage gave the Sonata an edge over many direct rivals.

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$10,998 - $20,998

Model highlights

  • Three choices of powertrain, including two turbocharged engines

  • Front-wheel drive

  • Adult-friendly second row

  • 16.3-cubic-foot trunk

  • User-friendly infotainment system

  • Solid build quality

  • Five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty 

  • 10-year/100,000-year powertrain warranty

View year by year changes

Changes by year

Latest generation from 2020 - present

2025 Hyundai Sonata

Highlights

  • Base SE trim returns to lineup

  • New SEL Convenience trim is added

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2024 Hyundai Sonata

Highlights

  • Refreshed interior and exterior styling

  • All-wheel drive available with base four-cylinder

  • Larger 12.3-inch touchscreen standard

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2023 Hyundai Sonata

2023 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • SEL trim got a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation

  • Highway Driving Assist semi-automated driving aid available on N Line and Limited trims

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2022 Hyundai Sonata

2022 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • SEL Plus trim gained navigation, a panoramic sunroof, and upgraded stereo as standard

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2021 Hyundai Sonata

2021 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • Sport-themed N Line arrived with turbocharged four-cylinder engine

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2020 Hyundai Sonata

2020 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • All-new seventh-generation Sonata

  • Larger 10.25-inch touchscreen available

  • Turbocharged and hybrid drivetrains

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Previous generation from 2015 - 2019

2019 Hyundai Sonata

2019 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • No significant changes

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2018 Hyundai Sonata

2018 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • Refreshed exterior and interior styling

  • Eight-speed automatic on 2.0T models

  • Blind-spot warning became standard

  • Available lane-keeping assistance and pedestrian detection

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2017 Hyundai Sonata

2017 hyundai sonata angled front

Highlights

  • Seven-inch touchscreen standard on hybrid model

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2016 Hyundai Sonata

Highlights

  • Seven-inch touchscreen standard on SE through Sport 2.0T

  • Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard

  • Automatic emergency braking became available on Limited 2.0T

  • Rearview camera and automatic headlights standard on all trims

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2015 Hyundai Sonata

Highlights

  • Completely redesigned sixth-generation Sonata

  • Eight-inch touchscreen standard on Limited 2.0T

  • Three drivetrain options

  • Roomier cabin than outgoing model

  • New turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder added

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Reliability

4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Hyundai Sonata an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Hyundai Sonata 9th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.

RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Hyundai Sonata is $406, compared to an average of $430 for Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

According to RepairPal, Hyundai Sonata owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.0 times per year, compared to an average of 0.9 times for Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 9% for the Hyundai Sonata, compared to an average of 12% for Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

Nick Kurczewski, Edmunds Contributor
Nick Kurczewski | Edmunds Contributor

Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.



* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

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