Used 2021 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is in its eighth generation, and this midsize family sedan continues to have its sights set on the popular Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. This is the best Sonata yet, and it continues relatively unchanged into its second year of production. Even the base model has loads of safety equipment, and higher models boast unexpected technology and amenities.

Also continuing unchanged is the fuel-efficient Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (reviewed separately), which can get up to 53 mpg on the highway. In other news, a sporty new Sonata N Line arrived in the fall, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower.

While the exterior styling of the Sonata doesn’t captivate everybody, the overall quality of this well-built midsize Hyundai sedan certainly does. It’s a complete package, and Hyundai even takes care of all regular Sonata maintenance for the first three years of ownership. This, in addition to backing the car with an unsurpassed 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

We’ve driven the Sonata multiple times, over hundreds of miles, and we can say with conviction that its manners are right up there with those of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It’s a little sportier than the Camry, but not quite as agile as the Accord. It’s like how an Audi splits the difference between a comfortable Mercedes and a firm BMW.

Our seat time was in Sonata models with the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine, which comes in SEL Plus and Limited models. This engine has less horsepower than the standard 2.5-liter, but more torque. This leads to smooth and confident acceleration from a stop, and enough in reserve for good if not great passing power. All models use an 8-speed automatic transmission that is seamless. The cabin is acceptably quiet, though we did notice modest wind noise from the driver-side door at elevated highway speeds.

One of the Sonata’s best driving features is Highway Drive Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system that’s standard in the Limited and optional in the SEL Plus. On a trip from Arizona to California, we basically let the Sonata do most of the driving while keeping our hands on the wheel. While the adaptive cruise control paced the vehicle in front, the lane-centering system kept the Sonata centered. Highway Drive Assist also worked well in stop-and-go traffic.

The Sonata’s 5-passenger cabin is open and contemporary, and the driver’s seat is comfortable even after hours behind the wheel. Part of the Sonata’s airy feel can be attributed to its transmission selector. Rather than having a traditional lever, it has space-saving buttons.

In the center of the dash is a standard 8-inch touchscreen or a large and crisp 10.25-inch screen that’s optional on SEL Plus and standard on the Limited. Controls to adjust common functions like volume and climate are easy to find and use, but we wish the Sonata had a dial for radio tuning and track selection.

On paper, the Sonata’s rear-seat legroom pales to the Accord’s – 34.8 inches vs. 40.4 – but in reality, it still feels accommodating for adults. Furthermore, the Hyundai gives back that room up front, where it has 46.1 inches of legroom compared to the Accord’s 42.3.

Hyundai’s design executive said the team aimed for “sensuous sportiness” with the current Sonata. While we respect its bold styling, the look of the current-generation continues to get mixed reviews.

While the front end has a bit of a bottom-feeder look, the other elements of the Sonata are attractive. The profile is sleek and coupe-like, with an almost nonexistent short rear deck.

Note: Base Sonatas have a single hidden tailpipe and bright grille. All others have a gloss-black grille and twin-tip exhaust outlets.

HYUNDAI DIGITAL KEY
No key? No problem. This feature — standard on all but base SE trims — turns your phone into a key, and also allows you to grant access to the Sonata for friends and family via their phone. At present, it only works for the Android operating system, but also included is a hotel-like key card that also allows entry and activation.

10.25-INCH TOUCHSCREEN
Optional on the SEL Plus and standard on the Limited is a 10.25-inch touchscreen that comes with a 12-speaker Bose sound system offering Sirius XM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Blue Link, Hyundai’s connected vehicle system. The standard Sonata touchscreen has a diagonal measurement of 8 inches.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata lineup is refreshingly simple, spanning these five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, and Limited. At its most basic, a Sonata SE includes the standard tech you want, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, plus a 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat and LED headlights and taillights.

Also standard is a full suite of active safety and driver-assist features, including lane-keeping assist, forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. The new N Line is distinguished by its paddle-shift 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sport seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Like all new Hyundais, it has a class-leading powertrain warranty that lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

While the SE is a solid choice, we’d recommend stepping up to at least an SEL trim. It adds blind-spot monitoring with collision-avoidance assist, heated front seats, 8-way-power driver’s seat, heated side mirrors, rear-seat armrest with cup holders, enhanced infotainment system with satellite radio and Blue Link remote vehicle access, along with dual-zone climate control, and a proximity key with pushbutton start.

The SEL is available with a $2,200 Convenience Package that includes the 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, the Hyundai Digital Key, wireless phone charging, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, second-row air vents, and a second-row USB charge port.

From there, the SEL Plus trim includes the turbo engine, fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the Digital Key (see Favorite Features), suede/leatherette upholstery, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear-seat air vents (optional on SEL trims), auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, and body-color/satin-chrome door handles.

If you order the SEL Plus with the $2,700 Tech Package, it comes with a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, navigation, Highway Drive Assist, and a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers.

High-performance summer tires are optional on the sporty new Sonata N Line. At the top of the lineup, the Sonata Limited models include a panoramic sunroof, the Blind View Monitor, a leather interior, a head-up display, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a surround-view camera. The Sonata Limited also has a heated steering wheel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the Limited, deserves special mention. It lets you drive the Sonata remotely in and out of tight spaces, all while standing nearby outside of the vehicle. This nifty system, which uses the key fob as a controller, effectively turns the Sonata Limited into the world’s biggest RC car.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata offers a choice of engines. SE and SEL models use a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower, while SEL Plus and Limited models come with a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower. While the higher-trim turbo engine has less horsepower, it offers more torque – 195 lb-ft compared to 181 lb-ft – which enables better off-the-line acceleration. All Sonatas are front-wheel drive, and all use an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Sonata N Line is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque at only 1,650 rpm.

2.5-liter inline-4
191 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
181 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/38 mpg (SE), 27/37 mpg (SEL)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
180 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/37 mpg (SEL Plus, Limited)

Turbo 2.5-liter inline-4 (N Line)
290 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/33 mpg