Used Hyundai Sonata
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: Styling, features, infotainment, warranty, safety
Below Average: Interior plastics, steering feedback
Consensus: An impressive sedan with loads of features, plus surprisingly strong resale and reliability scores fast approaching the longtime segment leaders.
Used Toyota Camry
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: Resale and reliability, roomy interior, safety, hybrid fuel economy
Below Average: Not the much fun to drive, drab interior colors, sedate styling
Consensus: One of the best-known, best built family sedans on the planet with a well-deserved reputation for excellence, but in a somewhat generic wrapper.
Whereas the Toyota Camry has a storied reputation for reliability, dependability and excellent value, the upstart Hyundai Sonata brings these same qualities to the midsize sedan segment and then blows every other car out of the water with its styling, its features set, its technology and its powertrain offerings. Go back a to the early 2010 and 2013 models and you’ll find features like heated rear seats, a 10-speaker Infinity sound system and a panoramic moonroof, features nowhere to be found on the Camry. Both the Camry and Sonata offer hybrid models, although the Camry Hybrid’s fuel economy far exceeds its Hyundai rival. And, where the Camry offers a V6 for much of its life, the Sonata’s peak power comes from a 245-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder. Inside, the Camry offers a bit more rear seat legroom while the Sonata dominates the front seat numbers, plus offers a far more sophisticated dash design. Sadly, some the early Hyundai plastics were not up to Toyota’s standard. Over the years, both cars do well in most of their crash tests and both offer cutting edge safety features concurrent with the cars of the time. The Sonata’s longer standard warranty and impressive CPO coverage dwarf that of the Camry, an important point for used car buyers looking for some added piece of mind.
Hyundai Sonata Advantages
Features and options, powerful turbocharged engine, factory and CPO warranty coverage, trunks space, infotainment, Android Auto on 2016 and newer models
Toyota Camry Advantages
Hybrid fuel economy, resale, reliability, rear seat headroom, wireless cell phone charging available on 2015 and newer models
Similarities
Horsepower, fuel economy, hybrid offering, roomy interior, good resale
Final Recommendation
The Camry is the safe bet here, for both its long term reliability and strong resale. But, if you’re looking for a car with personality, not to mention luxury features and engine options better suited to an Audi than a midsize family sedan, a certified pre-owned Sonata won’t disappoint.
OK, so what’s next?
I’m ready for one of these cars, and I’d like to trade in my current car while I’m at it.
