2025 Hyundai Sonata | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports

[@ItsTheSidJ]

Really enjoying this group doing the podcast. Great to see Maddie as well 👏🙌

[@ItsAlive111]

Yes, time to be thankful for another great episode! Keep up the good work!

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

Warning: Long comment that like only 3 people will read. As a Subaru Outback owner, I can attest that they aren't the most exciting to drive. HOWEVER, IMO, the RAV4 is an absolute snooze to drive. And if you are commuting in the mountains of Utah during the winter? I would think the priority should be a real connected mechanical full time AWD system, not a "mild" AWD with a electric motor attached to the rear wheels as an assist when things get slippery. That said, a dual motored Hyundai Ionic 5N would be a hoot to drive and has enough range that even in the winter, Mark should be able to get to work and home again without having to rely on an office "fill up." The Ford Mustang Mach E RALLY spec recently got rave reviews for driving dynamics on loose surfaces by The Smoking Tire. It comes standard with Michelin Cross Climate 2s, a well reviewed all weather tire that can handle most snowy, but plowed roads. But that, like the Ionic 5n, is a $60k+ car. But if you take CR's excellent advice to LEASE EVs...then maybe a 60k car makes sense? Back in that $40k range though...something like a Hyundai Tucson Plug In Hybrid has a traditional 6 speed transmission which some people think is superior to the CVT used in Subarus, and it also has a mechanical AWD system. That said, it has only 6.4 inches of ground clearance which is over 2 inches LESS than almost any Subaru. I don't know Mark, I think with a set of proper winter tires, the Outback is actually probably your best bet. I guess, you could trade yours in for Subaru Outback Wilderness for even MORE ground clearance (an extra almost inch over standard Subarus), 260hp turbocharged engine that can handle your altitude, plus some skid plates for durability, slightly better tires for off/bad roading adventures. Or maybe drop down a size and get a Crosstrek Wilderness because sometimes smaller cars are just more fun to drive? Ultimately, you aren't going to have any "fun" driving in Utah Mountain Snow Storms if your AWD system and tires and driving skills are crappy. I'd save the money on a new car, pay for some top rated winter tires, and a winter weather driving course/track day so that you learn how to handle YOUR car in extreme circumstances.

[@claren4643]

I smiled when you talked about the Subaru in the mountains. We like it for similar reasons in Chicago , including getting out of an un (or under) shoveled alley! I can't count the number of times I've gotten to the end of our alley on the morning after a heavy snow and said, "Thank you!" to our 2012 Subaru Forrester! 😅

[@James4cycling]

Nathanial: You also need to check the payload capacity of a vehicle. Make sure it has a full size spare tire, you can’t tow on a donut. The longer the tow vehicle’s wheelbase, the better and safer it will tow. If you’re towing an RV travel trailer you want as much stability as possible for when you get hit with crosswinds.

[@craigmerkey8518]

Great panel!

[@brokeboy87]

I was surprised they didn't suggest the Mazda CX-50 hybrid. However, the Toyota Prime was the one that came first to mine.

[@wackit6756]

Can we make Ryan put .25 cents in a jar every time he says 'Um'? 💁‍♂️

[@Monk7uvi]

Good price nice car. You can pick this one over Camry because Camry has too many packages added for $5k.

[@ecovango6675]

The 2025 Hyundai sonata hybrid is a great value. Tons of standard features. Plus it gets fantastic miles per gallon.

[@Houdini-j5h]

Ahh I'm still basking in the beauty of my 2012 sonata going on it's 3rd complete engine replacement, courtesy of Hyundai motor America and 2 complete turbo system replacements lol I'm over the car but I still like the style and look of my 2012

[@VeganRod]

Tesla model Y is fun car for the mountains, all wheel drive, and plenty of range to make the trip. There’s a reason why it’s the best selling car in the world.

[@kurthunter5206]

I enjoyed this episode. I went from an Accord hybrid to a 2024 Forester. Forester controls aren't bad, but Honda does it better!

[@williamborges3914]

The big question is: Has Hyundai/KIA resolved the engine reliability/durability issue?

[@dwnrange7812]

On the topic about confusing controls and lack of physical buttons/dials, is there any worse offender than Tesla with their latest generation models? Holy crap.

[@johnverlautz6025]

Lots of folks seem to dump on Hyundai. I'm noticing this in the comments. I've owned a couple and they were good, but not great cars. I can argue why a Hyundai is a good car. But I can do that same thing for a Toyota or a Honda. If you like Toyota, then maybe you should buy that. Me, I own a couple of Acuras, so I lean towards the Honda value proposition. I probably won't buy another Hyundai, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to friends and family. As far as the video, I think the review panel did great, I like seeing Maddie, probably for the first time. But Gabe is the best, IMO.

[@bguy1979]

The accord is missing 360 camera. :-(

[@bl-sw9sl]

my co-worker bought one it stalled on her way home from the dealer ...2 months later still sitting at the dealer

[@ltkwok]

There is a CrossTrek Plugin Hybrid but I don’t know if you can find one and if it’s big enough the listener has an Outback.

[@Skyrimshowtime]

Is audio and video out of sync ?

[@danbarkel6347]

Why not the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV? I often wonder why it’s not considered.

[@ssr1680]

I'm personally looking at the 25 Sonata N Line

[@donswier]

Redesign cleaned up the looks. Light bar up front very Lucid-ish

[@TalismanPHX]

It doesn't look like Robocop... the Sonata has a uni-brow front fascia 😮😅😂

[@M.J.R.-bv2oo]

Listening device before talking cars $

[@wingtsang7354]

So much bad press with Hyundai recently. Regarding fires and not honoring their long warranty to not backing customers of performance vehicles with legal actions. Also the expensive replacement of EV batteries when they are damage. Can you guys give us some more insight on this?

[@bestinfotainment5558]

Alex is cute. 😊

[@anabolic-v3p]

Subaru underpowered? Get the Outback XT, 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

[@kippaseo8027]

Literally almost 6 minutes in and not a single mention of it's dismal reliability history. A32K Hyundai danada will give yone third of the Toyota Camry or Honda accords reliability at best

[@PBandJ25]

Great review from all of you. The exterior is weird to me, like it's out of anime or a game. Plus, with Hyundai/Kia as the #1 most stolen cars, this is a hard pass.

[@tyo8223]

so much ummm in this video

[@hatalatesting6476]

Finally, a Boomer-free panel, so I don't have to hear constant droning about lumbar support, visibility, ride height, and the ability to get into and out of the front seat. Welcome to the 21st century!

[@J-kade]

I’m a millennial and I’m appreciate good lumbar!

[@misternordberg3675]

Cringe comment. Would love to know how visibility isn't relevant in the 21st century. Also, you'll get old one day as well so enjoy being a douche while you can.

[@Kahlua2U]

Time flies…..you’ll be “ Boomer age” before you know it.

[@nosah8415]

Im 37 and seat comfort and visibility are some of my top absolutes. The seats are one of my myriad of reasons why I got rid of my Sonata

[@ranmalla5550]

Maddie is a very Honda biased reviewer, can we get unbiased opinions from CR. I hope she is not on Honda payroll. Honda sales have gone down world wide due to recalls and reliability, and specially poor after sales service issues.

[@misternordberg3675]

Great observation. I'm sure HOnda is paying Maddie a bunch of money to occasionally appear on Talking Cars, makes a lot of sense.

[@4Lights.5Liights]

Boat type feeling? Unconstrained rear coil suspensions? You have 6 degrees of freedom (of motion)? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_freedom