1997 Hyundai Sonata Review
1997 Hyundai Sonata Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Large and comfortable interior, bargain compared to Ford Taurus and Toyota Camry, interesting front styling
Cons
- Not so much a bargain compared to Nissan Altima and Honda Accord, interesting front styling
What’s new
Sheet metal is all new, and gives Sonata a more substantial look despite somewhat controversial retro-style front fascia and grille. Flush-fitting doors and restyled exterior mirrors help quiet the ride, while horn activation switches from spoke button to center steering wheel pad.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 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
$225/mo for Sonata GLS
Sonata GLS
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 Contour/Mystique populates this class of automobiles, as does the Breeze/Cirrus/Stratus trio from Chrysler. Perennial favorites such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 626 also go head-to-head with the Hyundai. 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 1996 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 was 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.
For 1997, Hyundai stylists have gone hog wild on the Sonata, providing the basic design with additional character through a jutting grille, revised rear styling, and intriguing headlamps. Inside, the horn moves from a spoke-mounted button to the center pad where it belongs, and remote radio controls move from the bottom of the steering wheel to the side. Noise, vibration, and harshness is further quelled by flush-fitting doors and restyled exterior mirrors.
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. Drop the price a couple grand, and the leather-lined Sonata GLS would begin to look like a bargain.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Hyundai Sonata.
5 star(40%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(16%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(0%)
25 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
gr8scotto, 05/21/2004
1997 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
I just "retired" my 1997 Sonata due to
a major mechanical problem and was very
upset to have to do so because up until
this incident this vehicle performed
FLAWLESSLY for me. I had absolutely no
mechanical problems whatsoever with
this car and it was by far the best
vehicle I have ever owned up to this
point (I am 35 years old)
3 out of 5 stars
Too many repairs!
Lindsay, 08/22/2015
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
I bought my car used five years ago. It had 59,000 miles on it, two owners before me, and looked to be in great shape. I LOVED it. It served me very well driving long-distance back and forth from college. The V6 engine gives it great acceleration (though at the expensive of very low gas mileage) and everything about it started out smooth. It was affordable and a very attractive car. … Well, after about a year the paint started coming off. My roof is now completely bald five years later and the lovely red paint is not perfect anywhere except maybe the doors. (Of course I've never parked it in a garage and we have harsh winters.) Then about two years in my entire transmission gave out and had to be replaced - VERY expensive. Almost cost as much as the car itself. Then it was the door handle, then the electric window buttons, then the alternator, then all four brakes at the same time. This is spread out over five years, but I've spent well over $4,000 (what I paid for it) in repairs. And it only has 75,000 miles! Today I found out the spark plugs are in wrong so I have to replace them and some other parts. The engine is really loud and clicks when I drive. The transmission can still be a little rough, and when I have the air conditioning on, my car rocks quite a lot. The passenger window is slow to go up. It seems like from the reviews I've been reading, most people have gotten more miles out of their Sonata, but maybe mine was driven hard before me or just wasn't a good one. I'm very attached to it, and it's served me well, but be wary of all the problems that may come along the road!
3.63 out of 5 stars
99,800 and still going
mtgmaker, 04/26/2002
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
I just logged 99,800 miles on my 97
Sonata GLS and I just now had my first
problem. A leaky valve cover gasket.
Can't ask for much better than that.
2.38 out of 5 stars
Timing distruciton
bhart, 09/20/2002
1997 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
You should get your timing belt changed
before you hit the 65000 mark. The car
has no saftey engine shut off when the
timing belt goes and the engine is
therefore ruined and you will need a
whole new one because all of the valves
get smashed together. I was only in my
driveway when mine went without any
warning. I turned my car on and boom
the timing belt went and so … did the
engine. Buyer beware.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonata since its last redesign.
1997 Sonata Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $190/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 RatedDriver1 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- 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
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