Hyundai Sonata
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Large Cars, Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 23–52 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 47 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2011 (2,683)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 13,239 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Sonata in brief
The 2026 Hyundai Sonata is a large car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,534 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 51 MPG combined (47 city / 56 highway), 97% better than the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,300 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Hyundai Sonata has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Large Cars, Midsize Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2023 at 52 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 23 to 52 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (4,926), steering (1,748), electrical system (1,682).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2011 has the most recalls (17); all years together count 47 campaigns and 12,233 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Sonata compares
The 2005 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,217 lb (4dr Sedan Gl).
About the Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985 as a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar and was sold only briefly in South Korea. The second-generation model, introduced in 1988, was the first Sonata to be widely exported.
From the Wikipedia article "Hyundai Sonata", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Sonata pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 51 MPG combined — 97% better than the average 2026 large car (25.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Sonata
56 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 crash report
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2015 Sonata
1,207 owner complaints · 12 recalls · 51 fire reports · 38 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Sonata changes by model year
- 2026
- Best combined MPG up from 47 to 51
- 2024
- Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG down from 52 to 47
- 2021
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- 2020
- New body dimensions: 1.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Engines dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 42 to 52
- 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2016
- New plug-in hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 37 to 41
- 2015
- Engine added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- 2011
- New body dimensions: 0.8 in longer, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.3L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 36
- 2006
- New body dimensions: 2.0 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.3L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 2.7L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 23 to 25
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 51 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 51 MPG | 193.3 in | 3,534 lb | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 47 MPG | 193.3 in | 3,534 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 28 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 47 MPG | 193.3 in | 3,534 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 56 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 52 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,367 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 103 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 52 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,367 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 114 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 52 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,367 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 190 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 52 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,367 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 198 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,616 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 172 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,252 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 384 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,252 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 880 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl | 41 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,252 lb | Not rated | 9 | 887 |
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,252 lb | Not rated | 12 | 1,207 |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 189.8 in | 3,395 lb | Not rated | 8 | 752 |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 189.8 in | 3,395 lb | Not rated | 11 | 1,862 |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 36 MPG | 189.8 in | 3,344 lb | Not rated | 11 | 1,507 |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 36 MPG | 189.8 in | 3,344 lb | Not rated | 17 | 2,683 |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 189 in | 3,292 lb | Not rated | 2 | 199 |
| 2009 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 189 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 2 | 239 |
| 2008 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 189 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 2 | 155 |
| 2007 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 189 in | 3,459 lb | Not rated | 2 | 240 |
| 2006 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 189 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 2 | 302 |
| 2005 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187 in | 3,217 lb | Not rated | 0 | 69 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Sonata
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Honda Civic | 49 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Toyota Crown | 41 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Camry | 51 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Subaru WRX | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →




