2018 Hyundai Sonata Review | Edmunds

Our experts review the 2018 Hyundai Sonata.
Take a spin in the refreshed 2018 Hyundai Sonata with Edmunds Senior Writer Mark Takahashi. This top-of-the-line 2.0T Limited model shows off Hyundai's latest styling direction and adds some new features to an already strong candidate in the midsize family sedan class. Mark gives the Sonata points for its accommodating trunk, fresh style, pleasant interior, and easy-to-use tech and infotainment system. In the end, he'd take this Sonata over the all-new Toyota Camry but cautions that the new Honda Accord could steal the crown.
Q: How much does the Hyundai Sonata cost?
A: Prices start at $22,935 (MSRP) for the base SE model and move up to $32,450 (MSRP) for this model, the fully loaded 2.0T Limited.
Q: What engines are available in the Hyundai Sonata?
A: The base engine is a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The Eco model has a 178-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that promises improved fuel efficiency. The top engine (and the one shown in this video) is a 2.0-liter turbo that's good for 245 hp.
Q: How much will the trunk hold?
A: The Sonata, with one of the largest trunks in the class, can accommodate up to 16.3 cubic feet of cargo.
Read our full review of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata here: www.edmunds.com/hyundai/sonat...
Edmunds - we help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at www.edmunds.com.

[@dougn2350]

The 2.4 is fine for 95% of drivers who are shopping for a family sedan. Its less complicated so will be more trouble free in the long term if you keep your cars a long time.

[@Reddylion]

Yes...

[@NileshR12]

Yeah but it doesn't have enough oomph to get you to 60 on a highway quickly enough

[@lowlanz]

I think the new design makes the car look smaller in the videos, because of fat rear and slim front. However, it looks much better in real life when you actually see it on the raods. Cars with round front are often underrated in it's design on screens. You should really check this car in 3D(offline).

[@erniejoel1234]

Very informative review. Well done edmunds.

[@MS-gr2nv]

Presenter is kool, great job on the review!

[@prl08]

Surprised they got rid of the panoramic sunroof, especially since Camry just added it as an option.

[@dougn2350]

Pano roof is available again. Not sure why it was released so late in the model year.

[@SGR47]

This is a nice, fair and balanced review.

[@23applejelly]

Great all around review Edmunds. When you do compare it to the new Accord, I don't doubt the Honda will be more engaging for the driver, but please compare all factors for this "family sedan" including passenger seat comfort and rear headroom - both of which I found lacking. And don't forget what equipment you get for real world out the door prices between an Accord EX and say the Sonata SEL with Tech Pkg.

[@techbizcanada7594]

Great review. Thanks!

[@Doozercal]

Very good reviewer.

[@macpark1826]

Thanks for a good review. I think the trunk opens only to halfway so people don't get hit on the face by it.

[@Anonymous-ji4sb]

I like this car but I think that it's one of those cars that will take a lot of getting used to like the 2017 Elantra, when those came out I thought they were hideous but now I really like them.

[@tamicablanding]

Does the passenger side have 4 way lumbar?

[@GaryKetchum808]

I like the previous design better, the new design makes the car look small for some reason. Not saying the new design is bad though, it has its own charms.

[@dougn2350]

I had a 17 Sonata and recently traded for an 18 model. I agree with. The newer car does look smaller with the new front end. But I also the new car is also red whereas the 17 was silver. The darker color may have something to do with that.

[@takler12]

Review on the 2018 Altima SR?

[@jayryan7473]

The performance specs on the Eco almost mirror the more expensive A3. In my opinion the only benefit to buying an Audi A3 1.8T over the Sonata Eco is the sunroof option. That's not currently an option on the Eco. Then again the A3 costs so much more money you could just purchase an aftermarket sunroof with lifetime warranty for your Eco and still come out thousands of $$ ahead.

[@emsss78]

Please do a review of the VW Arteon

[@brandyag]

Did you say every 6-7 years when manuf redesign their cars? I thought it was every 4 years!

[@PresidentJackBauer]

33k isn't the top end. Almost ever competitor fully loaded costs more. They also recently dropped prices

[@devincruz5704]

Let’s just hope like 2013 you don’t need a new engine at 100,000 miles like many people I know of

[@NileshR12]

Wow this was uploaded on my birthday 3 years ago 😂

[@ianalexander2017]

Looks good

[@dougn2350]

Its too bad you cant get the 2.0T in the SE or SEL. Just give us the engine option for those of us who want the power but don't care for leather and pano sunroof

[@Acc0rd79]

It's OK but it's no where near as sexy as the 2011 to 2014 version, those were very good looking for their age and sold like hotcakes, they were EVERYWHERE on the road back then. Come to think of it, I haven't seen a new Sonata on the road in along time now.

[@lowlanz]

It's just that the version of Sonata was too good for the time. Infinitie and Mazda copied the design and I think current Chevy Malibu's rear side is also influenced by the design. I think Hyundai should have kept the style and just make changes based on that version..

[@gyuck]

I have an 2011 and can confirm; the newer sonatas are much more bland with less personality. Not that the car has much to begin with

[@ClutchMaster14]

Yeah the YF Sonata still sells really good even on the used car market. The LF Sonata tanked sales for Hyundai and the primary reason is because people said it looked boring.

[@yahlady15]

SORRY MY ENGLISH, BUT THE PRICES ON "TRUE CAR" ARE TRUE???

[@ThinhNguyen-tg5qd]

el lesbiano truecar.com is a webpage that provide fair price for cars. He is saying the truecar webpage provide accurate price for the car.

[@tacocruiser4238]

The Elantra's daddy

[@stevewise1656]

I believe it also offers bird eye view in this model.

[@justinlidkey7764]

I have a 2017 sonata and love it! I like the rear end on the 2018 but the front is AWFUL. Thankful i got the 2017.

[@youngbcho7873]

2017 better

[@devincruz5704]

I guess that’s why they got a good warrantee

[@atestring100]

Does it have a CD player?

[@AS-zt8bi]

NO :(

[@geraldseidel6484]

@Pioneer7 My Son has over 400 cds,that would rule that out.

[@geraldseidel6484]

@Pioneer7 When I bought my 2016 mazda I never thought cd players had become obselete.

[@geraldseidel6484]

@Pioneer7 I had one in my 2012 Hyundai Accent, my granddaughter has that.

[@JohnFT3414]

The TREBLE control on the radio doesn't work AT ALL ON ALL 2018 Sonata Limited 2.0T models! I hope Infinity and Hyundai fix this real soon! The slider for the TREBLE works, but it doesn't change the sound at all like it should! WHERE IS THE QUALITY CONTROL AT INFINITY? I want the TREBLE control in my 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T to work! The BASS and MIDRANGE controls work as they should, but the MIDRANGE frequency should be higher (say 3kHz), it is too low in frequency to do any good! Where is the firmware update?

[@omaralobaedy2309]

اريد ادزلي سياره للعراق اني عمر العبيدي ماعندي سياره

[@Reddylion]

Nice car sonata

[@wingktsui3532]

That grill will make some good steak

[@heewoney2]

Still a long way to go to have as great reputation as Japanese car brands' but I appreciate seeing the good points, Takahashi

[@carree7942]

It looks like a red fly

[@skifree0]

I always wondered...What ever happened to these engines in terms of power. It seems ever year they've been tuning them down for some reason but I never really bothered to look into it. When I bought my kia with the 2.4 That thing had 200hp and 192ft-lbs, and i believe the 2.0T made 276hp.

[@diegomontoya8889]

skifree They did make more power, that's not your imagination... But they didn't make that power in the engine speed band at which most people normally operate their vehicles. That's why the Mazda CX-9 only puts out 227 HP on 87 Octane, but has 310 Lb./Ft. of torque. The power comes on low in the Rev range (1800 rpm perhaps) and stays flat up to about 4500 rpm. This is where most people operate their engines. The old engines had more power, but one would have to drive them really hard to get that power. And the new Sonata has that available 8 speed Automatic, which should help keep revs down as well. Lower revs means more efficient operation.

[@skifree0]

Diego Montoya makes sense. My suspicion was on the fuel economy. My 2.4 has some truly terrible fuel consumption. When I drove it hard i was getting 19mpg at the worst. But ur right my car made torque only in first gear because of the gearing. The rest of the acceleration was pretty lacklustre until the revs came up

[@alexs1429]

Not worth it anymore. Especially since they got rid of the panoramic roof.

[@mzuzs6861]

Alex Soto what? we have the panoramic sunroof in saudi arabia, weird af

[@JohnFT3414]

Not worth it anymore? LED light-bending headlamps with auto high/low beam, adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot detection, Hyundai Bluelink, LED Tail lights, electric motor Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing, greater use of high-strength steel and more than 10X the useage of advanced aircraft adhesive, Smart trunk release, Electronic Parking Brake, 8-Speed Transmission (NO CVT)... Are you kidding?

[@alexs1429]

J Trager My 2016 Sonata Limited 2.0T has basically all those features minus the adaptive cruise control. Plus it comes with a pano roof. Shame they got rid of pano roofs here in the states. I might just trade in my 16 sonata for a 18 Optima SXL

[@Brigante310]

Pano Is back! I just got mine for 2018!

[@willardmire5917]

I prefer the 2018 kia optima

[@chrisdblue]

Where is Carlos? Did he jump ship AGAIN!?

[@tiredoldman5329]

Throttle response is garbage. It just sits there while you keep pushing the accelerator down and down and down. Sport mode is much better but RPM's are way high omitting fuel mileage. Transmission sucks. At 49mph its in 8th gear. This causes lugging and vibration throughout the car. The car always drifts side to side to side. Constant steering corrections. Buyers remorse .. Big time!

[@Fordforeva1988]

This is a Korean version of the Ford Fusion

[@ladyjay8130]

@Sea Edu I had a fusion. It really did stand for Fix or Repair Daily. It was such a hassle. I love Hyundai!

[@mountainhobo]

Two questions: (Q1) Are any other transmissions available? Manual, DCT? (Q2) Adaptive (cornering) lights, are they on every trim, or only limited? Two comments: (C1) Fuel efficiency with any powerplant is not competitive. Is it because they really are not competitive, or is it because they do not lie as blatantly as others? (Toyota Camry's reported fuel efficiency - at least prior to 2018 - is sheer fantasy) (C2) No, brushing your hair on the headliner when you're 5'10" is NOT okay in a mid-sized sedan. Try Camry for comparison. I remember when compact cars had enough room, but now it's all style over substance with ridiculous center consoles and sloping roofs.

[@GREATNESS275]

This vehicle/design came out in 2015, even though this 2018 has been REFRESHED and looks BEAUTIFUL!...The car has a very sleek, contemporary and I would go as far to say elegant look about it.Much better looking than the 2011-2014 6th generation Sonata that to me looked like a "bar of soap" and whose design did not age well! This car also looks better than the new accord, camry, and mazda-6 which are its direct competitors, and has better features, which Hyundai is known for, as well as being a much better value!!!!!

[@lexusfan100]

i see a lot of similarities with VW passat. the engine design, layout, interior controls, head rest, etc ..very similar to passat..i think u should do vw passat

[@JohnFT3414]

VW isn't as reliable! Take a pass on it!

[@omaralobaedy2309]

😢😢😢😢😢

[@omaralobaedy2309]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@Thousandeyes85]

The new design is very boring and plain

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

The new Accord is once again the class leader.

[@tinleo333]

looks like assss really

[@JohnFT3414]

That may be true, but it also cost more money! I went for the 2018 Sonata Limited 2.0T...

[@tinleo333]

buabuabuabuabuabua FORD FUSION ecobost v6 is the accord daddy

[@tinleo333]

only in your little brain

[@stolenhal0]

Not when it comes to warranty. Accord has 3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain. Sonata has 5 yr/60,000 mi bumper to bumper & 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain. Far superior with Sonata than Accord.

[@BA-dr9pr]

I'm bored 😪 I'll wait till Brian Cooley from CNET to do his review

[@revolutionday1]

ZzzzzZZzzzzzzZZzzzzzzz....................

[@chavisberrien8595]

well I must say the Sonata is a gorgeous car but not in that red that is one ugly ass red what kind of f****** red is that 70s grandma and lipstick look I was thinking about the Sonata and I looked at Accord but I think I'm going to hold out for the whole new redesign of the fusion and I have a 17 Sonata