1996 Hyundai Sonata Review
1996 Hyundai Sonata Review
View more photos
Used Sonata for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Noise, vibration and harshness are quelled with the addition of insulation to the floor and cowl, and liquid-filled V6 engine mounts. ABS is available as a stand-alone option on the GLS, and Steel Gray joins the color chart. Upgraded seat fabric comes in the base and GL models, while all Sonatas get CFC-free A/C.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$194/mo for Sonata GL
Sonata GL
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Sonata is Hyundai's midsize entry, and faces some very stiff competition in this category. Ford's new Contour/Mystique populates this class of automobiles, as does the new Cirrus/Stratus duo from Chrysler, and perennial favorites such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 626. Heady competition indeed.
Hyundai's forte to date has been budget prices and standard (or low priced) luxuries that couldn't be matched by competitors. It seems those days are over. The Sonata GLS we sampled ran nearly $21,500. True, it was well loaded with automatic, sunroof, leather and power everything, but a similarly equipped Contour SE or Chrysler Cirrus is priced less than the Sonata. Considering Hyundai's quality record, we don't find the GLS to be a viable option in this class, particularly since the Contour/Mystique twins are a real kick in the pants to drive.
That's not to say that the Sonata isn't a satisfying car. The doors thunk shut nicely, it is quiet and comfortable inside, and the leather makes it feel like a much more expensive sedan. Everything looks and functions as though quality has been built-in, but the radio and climate controls are a tad overdone. The back seat could benefit from better thigh and back support, but it isn't any more uncomfortable that the rear quarters of a Dodge Stratus. Overall, we are impressed with this roomy effort from Hyundai.
Unfortunately, the Sonata competes with many cars that feel as good and often cost less money. Factor in the depreciation that the Hyundai is sure to endure, as well as the questionable quality levels of past Sonatas, and this new one's shine begins to dull. At $18,500, the leather-lined Sonata GLS would begin to look like a bargain, but $21,500 is better spent on something else.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Hyundai Sonata.
5 star(43%)
4 star(37%)
3 star(20%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
16 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
Surpirsed
Stewart, 04/07/2002
1996 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
I bought the car as the cheapest car in
which I could comfortably seat 5
people. It has turned out to be a
longterm dependable car. At 100k it hos
only been in the shop a couple times
and still runs strong.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Sonata Requiem
cicco, 08/28/2002
1996 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
My neighbor just totaled my parked
Sonata. I will miss this car. I
bought it in spite of my kids scorn and
never regretted it. I had no repairs
other than maintenance in the 122,000
miles I drove it. I was expecting to
get another 50K miles of satisfied
driving out of it.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great car, could do better on the road
Binnie The Gooh, 09/07/2003
1996 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
It´s a great car, but they could make
it better suitible for the raod like
when you are taking sharp turns it
slides to the sides alot but it can be
controlled, this is a sedan version, so
why not make it perfect!!
5 out of 5 stars
I like it alot
noodle_head, 02/17/2004
1996 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
When i got on this website i looked
through the cars i didnt find one my
style or in my price range.Im sixteen
years old and my parents are on a
tight budget and i need a cheap car
and this one looks real cheap and very
nice.But i know i could not and cant
really afford it so i guess im just
gonna rate it.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonata since its last redesign.
1996 Sonata Highlights
GL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $194/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
3.8 average Rating out of 10 reviews. |
Starting at $25,590 |
4.4 average Rating out of 36 reviews. |
Starting at $27,895 |
4.1 average Rating out of 7 reviews. |
Starting at $21,625 |
Related Used 1996 Hyundai Sonata info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Hyundai Tucson 2022
- Used Audi RS 7 2018
- Used GMC Terrain 2018 For Sale
- Used Nissan Kicks 2018
- Used Lexus IS 300 2019
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2012
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2017
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2019
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2010
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2011 For Sale
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2018
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2015
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2016
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2013
- Used Hyundai Sonata 2014
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 INFINITI QX55
- 2023 Audi A8
- Acura Il X
- 2025 Audi S3 News
- 2023 BMW i4
- 2023 Dodge Durango
- 2024 BMW i7
- 2025 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
- 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- Audi RS Q8 2023
Research other models of Hyundai
- 2023 Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Sonata 2023
- 2024 Elantra N
- Santa Fe Plug In Hybrid
- 2023 Elantra
- 2023 Hyundai Venue
- 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Hybrid SUV
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata
- 2023 Hyundai Kona
Other models
- New Lexus Es-350 for Sale in Bronx, NY
- Used Jeep Commander in Fond Du Lac, WI
- Used Kia Sportage in Arlington, TN
- New Kia Sportage-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in Lorton, VA
- Used Lincoln Town-Car in Lawrenceville, GA
- Used Mercedes-Benz Gl-Class in Owensboro, KY
- Used Dodge Ram-Pickup-2500 in Bloomfield, NJ
- New Porsche Cayenne-Coupe for Sale in South Boston, MA
- Used Genesis G70 in Saint Charles, MO
- Used Smart Eq-Fortwo in New Smyrna Beach, FL