It used to be a wallflower, but then the Hyundai Sonata bloomed. New in 2011 with daring styling and bristling with confidence, the Sonata has mounted a three-pronged attack on the mainstream four-door sedan market--and it's working. The Sonata's now one of the top sellers in the segment, fresh off an award-winning year and a nod as TheCarConnection's Best Car To Buy 2011.
The Sonata's intriguing blend of crests and curves sets it far apart from the blandness that colors the Toyota Camry and, maybe less so, the Accord, Passat, and Malibu. It may not stand the test of time as well as some designs, but for now, the Sonata's a calling card for the entire Hyundai brand. It's a clean break from the me-too past of Hyundai styling and it works well in many places--at the rear of the roofline and across the tail, it's clearly an homage to the Audi A6. Some other passages are a little knotty: the point at the side mirrors where five different panels join up is a noticeable wart, and not everyone here at HGM is a fan of the chrome spears that glint off the hoodline and front fenders. Inside, the styling's just as adventurous, with dramatic sculpturing across the dash and even on the steering wheel. A big LCD screen sits atop the dash and fits in well with the futuristic look. We prefer the metallic trim to the woodgrain on beige-interior cars, which looks out of place in the swoopy Sonata.
All Sonatas are four-cylinders, and the mass-market versions are 2.4-liter fours with up to 200 horsepower, direct injection, and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. We haven't ever seen a manual-transmission base model; luckily, the automatic is perfectly appropriate for the class, and is a responsive, seamless gearchanger. It's rare to feel this version strain for power, since the front-drive Sonata weighs only a little more than 3,300 pounds, or a quarter-ton less than a Chevy Malibu. Highway mileage of 35 mpg gives the standard Sonata a standout selling point in the mid-size class.
Two alternatives exist to the base four. There's a turbocharged 2.0T model, with displacement dropped to 2.0 liters and horsepower boosted to 274 hp in all. The power surge is clear, and there's not much turbo lag--and as a bonus, the automatic transmission adds shift paddles, and in this instance, the manual shifter works with above-average smoothness. On paper it's quite a bit stronger than, say, a Buick Regal turbo, and Hyundai's estimates of 0-60 mph times of about seven seconds are strong for a model not really sold as a sporty alternative, but more as a V-6 alternative. With the added power, highway gas mileage is still rated at 33 mpg.
There's also a Hybrid edition, which pairs the 2.4-liter four with electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack, and a high threshold that allows the Sonata Hybrid to run on battery power alone at highway speeds. The Hybrid's unusual in that it uses a conventional automatic transmission instead of a CVT or an eCVT to change gears; in our experience, the shift quality between gas-electric and electric-only mode is lumpy, and needs more refinement to rival vehicles like the Camry Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid. Hyundai says this version will hit 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, well within the acceptable range for a family sedan, while delivering gas mileage of 34/39 mpg.
The Sonata's ride and handling are fine for the mainstream, but the steering responses could use more feedback and less wandering on the highway. We like the ride damping, which is set a little on the firm side even before the SE's monotube shocks and 19-inch wheels are added into the mix.
The firm ride is amplified a bit by the Sonata's firm seats. A roomy car, almost "large" by EPA standards, the Sonata provides soaring headroom and leg room in front, and an unusually long front-seat track so driver and passenger can have as much space as they need. The back seat sits at a good angle of recline, and only the tallest passengers will touch heads against the fabric headliner and the hard-plastic front seatbacks.
A Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata has the usual standard safety equipment with a rearview camera available on top trim levels. Other standard equipment includes Bluetooth; a USB port; power windows, locks and mirrors; a tilt/telescoping steering wheel; and cruise control. SE and Limited editions add parking sensors and pushbutton start; the Sonata Limited also gets standard heated front and rear seats; a sunroof; a backup camera; automatic climate control; and an automatic dimming rearview mirror. New this year is Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system; like GM's OnStar setup, it uses live operators to provide information and directions, while also connecting the car via streaming data to the Web, which allows it to find destinations newer than the ones provided on its hard-drive-based GPS maps. Blue Link is offered in a few different packages, with tiered pricing; access to a Web site is bundled in, and allows drivers to set limits on the car's stereo volume, speed, and geographic distance from a certain point.
FAQs
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Hyundai Sonata earned a top rating of "Good" for frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength protection. In Edmunds brake testing, both a Sonata GLS and SE turbo came to a stop from 60 mph in about 120 feet, which are slightly above average for the class.
How many miles can a 2012 Hyundai Sonata last? ›
Hyundai Sonata
When it comes to longevity, the Sonata is estimated to last 200,000 to 250,000 miles or 13 to 17 years with regular maintenance. It also has a better reliability rating and lower annual repair cost than most other midsize cars.
What is a 2012 Hyundai Sonata worth? ›
2012 Hyundai Sonata Pricing
| Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) |
---|
GLS Sedan 4D | $21,570 | $5,583 |
SE Sedan 4D | $24,320 | $6,013 |
Hybrid Sedan 4D | $26,625 | $5,357 |
Limited Sedan 4D | $27,570 | $6,698 |
What is considered high mileage for a Hyundai Sonata? ›
Assuming proper maintenance and reasonable driving habits, a well-cared-for Hyundai Sonata can last well over 200,000 miles. In fact, many Sonatas have been known to last for more than 300,000 miles with the proper care and attention.
What is the engine problem on a 2012 Hyundai Sonata? ›
"Metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft," NHTSA said in its recall summary. "If the debris was not complete removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connected rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage.
What year is a bad year for Hyundai Sonata? ›
Avoid: 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata
Unfortunately, the reliability woes just kept coming with the 2012 and 2013 Sonata years. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata gathered over 2,000 complaints and eight recalls, so while it's better than the 2011 Sonata, its issues don't inspire much confidence.
Are there any recalls on a 2012 Hyundai Sonata? ›
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
Is Hyundai as good as Toyota? ›
Hyundai shines through as the top brand when comparing its vehicle performance, technology, and fuel economy to those of Toyota models. Hyundai offers V6, V8, and four-cylinder engine options in its vehicles, while Toyota only offers V8 engines on its larger vehicle models.
How many miles is too much for a used Hyundai? ›
There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.
What is the lawsuit on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata? ›
The federal class action lawsuit alleged that Hyundai sold Sonata vehicles with defective rotating assemblies in the Theta II 2.4 L engines that cause sudden and catastrophic engine failure. When the rotating assembly fails, it does so without warning and causes the engine to abruptly seize, according to the complaint.
Hyundai Sonata Maintenance Costs. A Hyundai Sonata will cost about $6,272 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This is more than the industry average for popular sedan models by $3,772. There is also a 17.73% chance that a Sonata will require a major repair during that time.
Is Sonata A Good car to buy? ›
Yes, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata is a good midsize car. It's efficient, comfortable, well-suited for daily driving and packed with excellent features for the price. It's not particularly engaging to drive, but the sportier N Line trim provides a peppier 290-horsepower engine for a little more excitement.
Is the Hyundai Sonata high maintenance? ›
The annual maintenance cost of a Hyundai Sonata is $458.
Will a Hyundai last 300000 miles? ›
On average, Hyundai vehicles last about 200,000 miles. Some models can go beyond 250,000 or even 300,000 miles with proper maintenance.
How far can a Hyundai Sonata go on a full tank? ›
How Far Can the Hyundai Sonata Go On a Tank of Gas? The 2022 Sonata has a maximum range of over 580 miles on a full tank, displaying the vehicle's incredible fuel economy. Looking at the total fuel economy numbers, you can expect to get 28 city mpg, 38 mpg on the highway, for a combined mileage of 32 mpg.
What are the cons of a Hyundai Sonata? ›
One of the cons of the Hyundai Sonata that many might not think about is the lack of legroom. While there is ample front-seat legroom, as far as legroom goes, the backseat is a little lacking. This may be an issue for drivers who intend to grow their families with the Hyundai Sonata.
Is Hyundai Sonata high maintenance? ›
The annual maintenance cost of a Hyundai Sonata is $458.
What is the most common problem with Hyundai Sonata? ›
A list of some of the most common issues Sonata owners have to deal with.
- ZF-TRW Crash Sensor Defect. ...
- ABS Fire. ...
- Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring. ...
- Seat Belts Detatch During Crash. ...
- Blue Link Standard Feature? ...
- Hyundai Theta II Engine Knocking, Seizing, and Sludge. ...
- Panoramic Sunroof Explodes. ...
- Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint.