Used 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata is a fine midsize sedan. It’s fresh, looks sharp, offers tons of tech, packs plenty of space, and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Trim levels range from unassuming-yet-respectable to almost-luxurious or uncharacteristically sporty. Hyundai has put a lot of time, effort, and value into this latest Sonata.

When was this generation of Sonata introduced? We’re now in the seventh generation, which debuted for the 2020 model year. So all the technology is still definitely current.

Like every Hyundai, the new Sonata has an unbeatable drivetrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever happens first.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is reviewed separately.

Over the generations, the Sonata has evolved from a budget model to a highlight of the class. In most respects.

One area that hasn’t impressed so much is the driving experience. And that still persists even with this newest generation, despite Hyundai hiring engineers from companies like BMW. Not that anyone expects the Sonata to behave like a 5 Series, but a little more zest and poise wouldn’t go amiss.

As it is, the 2022 Sonata (N Line excepted) turns in a workmanlike performance. The job gets done — nothing more, nothing less. At least the fuel economy is pretty good.

The N Line’s more powerful engine and sport-tuned suspension holds the promise of better times behind the wheel. It develops a muscular 311 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,650 rpm and keeps maximum thrust coming right up to 4,000 rpm.

How fast is the Sonata N Line? It should be able to run from standstill to 60 mph in about 5 seconds, which is perfectly respectable.

More Sonata buyers, however, will probably go the other way and delegate some duties to the partially autonomous Highway Driving Assist system, available from the SEL Plus trim and up. It’s easy to use and soon becomes a trusted feature.

It’s a common Hyundai practice to make vehicles that blur the lines of size categories. For example, the 2022 Sonata has a cabin so spacious that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies it as a large car, even though it competes in the midsize sedan bracket.

What’s blurry for the EPA is comfy for the rest of us. It’s a traditional 5-seater cabin with that smaller middle rear seat, but four adults will find plenty of room for heads, shoulders, hips, and limbs.

Up front is a modern and minimal dashboard, with extra space in the center console made possible by a set of switches instead of a regular gear lever. At the back is a commodious trunk of 16 cubic feet.

There’s a sense that the designers of this newest Hyundai Sonata would be offended by the notion of trying to be inoffensive. You have to respect that. It’s a confident look. Not everyone is going to love it, but it registers on the retinas.

The SE gains LED daytime running lights this year, to join LED headlights and taillights. At the other extreme, the Limited model has matrix-design LED headlights, where a cluster of smaller LEDs can be activated or deactivated individually to reduce glare for oncoming drivers while still providing plenty of illumination.

Paint choices for the 2022 Sonata range are generally on the monochromatic side, but there is a rich Calypso Red to liven up a driveway.

The N Line model distinguishes itself with a quad exhaust system, model-specific fascias at both ends, rear spoiler, and gloss black side mirror housings. The N Line Night Edition is available only with Quartz White or Phantom Black exterior colors.

HYUNDAI DIGITAL KEY
Drivers can use their smartphone instead of a conventional key. At the moment, this facility is only available with Android devices. The rest of the iPhone-using world can have an electronic card like a hotel key.

REMOTE SMART PARKING ASSIST
Exclusive to the Limited trim, this feature lets the driver move the car into and out of parking spaces (in straight lines) using a remote control on the key fob and while standing outside the vehicle. Yes, it’s probably more for show than practicality, but will come in handy sometimes. Limited trim also has front/rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking in reverse, and a 360-degree camera system.

The most affordable Sonata SE trim has several driver aids as standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

An 8-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment system that brings Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, a USB port, and an 8-speaker audio setup.

Cloth upholstery, air conditioning, 60/40 split/folding rear seats, and 16-inch alloy wheels are also part of the standard inventory.

We still think it’s a better call, though, to spend another $1,800 for the SEL trim that not only packs more standard features (like keyless entry/ignition, hands-free trunk lid operation, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, and blind-spot monitoring) but is also eligible for an options package.

The Convenience package for the SEL ($2,200) includes a 12.3-inch driver information display, wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear USB port, and the Hyundai Digital Key. This is all standard in the SEL Plus.

For 2022, the SEL Plus gains the features of a previously optional Tech package, bringing a 10.25-infotainment touchscreen, navigation, dynamic voice recognition (which understands normal speech), Highway Driving Assist (see the Safety Technology section below) and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. This trim has 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminum pedals, and LED cabin lighting as well.

The most luxurious 2022 Sonata is the Limited trim level, with leather seating surfaces, heated/ventilated front seats, memory settings for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated steering wheel, head-up display, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and 360-degree camera system.

The sportiest 2022 Sonata is the N Line, with a sport suspension, sport front seats covered with Nappa leather and simulated suede, sport steering wheel, quad exhaust system, and most of the top tech features that come in the Limited.

The new Night Edition option package for the N Line brings a specific design of 19-inch alloy wheels with a matte black finish, a rear spoiler made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), dark chrome badges, matte black side mirror housings, and red brake calipers. This model can also be ordered with high-performance summer tires.

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is in the SE and SEL models, making 191 horsepower. Drive goes to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is also in the SEL Plus and Limited; every new Sonata has front-wheel drive.

The SE trim does marginally better with fuel economy than the SEL because it has a stop/restart function that saves a few drops of gas while idling.

It might seem odd that a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine propelling the SEL Plus and Limited versions only generates 180 horsepower, less than the base engine. But it develops more torque: 195 lb-ft, compared to 181 lb-ft. And torque is the amount of thrust we all perceive when accelerating.

The N Line has its own engine, a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit producing a meaty 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. And its own transmission, an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission with paddle shifters mounted beneath the steering wheel. Drivers can still put it in D and leave it there, but the shifters allow more involvement whenever the mood takes them.

Even the turbocharged engines are fine with regular gasoline.

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

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