2005 Hyundai Sonata Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A decent buy if you can't spend over $20,000 on a midsize sedan, but the Sonata offers no revelations in performance or interior accommodations.
Pros
Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, refined V6 engine, lots of storage space.
Cons
Noisy four-cylinder engine, bland interior design and materials, tight rear-seat legroom, tepid handling.
What's New for 2005
For 2005, trim levels have been slightly revised, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a HomeLink remote transmitter has been added to the LX.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Good 1st Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car for my wife, whom is also an import, for a first car to learn with. I was pleasantly surprised with the handling. The car feels very nimble even in the mountains. The 4 cyl engine is smooth, but noisy. Not bad after getting moving at a moderate pace. Everything is built cheap and lightly, which probably explains the nimbleness. It has standard cloth seats which are not very comfortable. Good gas mileage.
Favorite Features
handling
Suggested Improvements
Seats, cheap plastic design
Horrible Car!!!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
My husband and I bought a Hyundai thinking it would be a great purchase....We were wrong!!!! After 2 months of owning the car it has needed a new timing belt, radiator and engine!!!!! ALSO, under 3 RPM's the car rattles. We have brought it to numerous dealerships and none have been able to fix the problem. We wish we could just return the car!!!!
Favorite Features
The exterior, interior, fuel economy, and above all the warranty!!!!
Suggested Improvements
The rest.....
2005 Hyundai, Excellent value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Hyundai Sonata LX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Had this car for three years, 31000 miles. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this car. No rattles, everything works fine, mileage ok for a 6 cylinder. I would buy another in a heart beat.
Favorite Features
Most liked feature is the roominess, then nimbleness (handling), quiet, CD/Tape/Radio is excellent, climate control is excellent. Power seat superb.
Suggested Improvements
Umbrella compartment in the drivers door. [I live in Alabama, rains a lot]
Quality, Reliable Luxury with Tiny Price
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Hyundai Sonata LX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
My 2005 Sonata has all the bells that you would expect to find on a car that costs $10K more. It's zippy - great for driving to work - and in the 3+ years I've owned it, I have NOT ONCE had any issues. It is the most maintenance-free vehicle I have ever owned. (Had a Ford Explorer and Mits. Eclipse before - both were ALWAYS in the shop.) In fact, 3 other family members have since bought Hyundais (new and used) and no one has had any mechanical problems, which leads me to believe that the negative reviews are fairly isolated. I am now looking to buy the Veracruz - sticking with Hyundai because of the value & quality of its product. I trust Hyundai and definitely would buy another.
Favorite Features
heated seats, heated side mirrors, auto dimmer, zippy and fun to drive, interior is beautiful(leather, wood trim), exterior is older style (which I like for its curves).
Suggested Improvements
mp3 adapter.
great used car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car has never broke down and been to the dealer for unnecessary service. This has been the most dependable car I have ever owned. Great mileage! 34 mpg highway. I have put on more than 75,000 mile. When I trade in someone will have a great car.
Favorite Features
sun roof, great mpg, body styling, trouble free motoring.
Suggested Improvements
Horrid shake through steering wheel, burn headlight bulbs like they were candles (I have used 8 so far. Zero trade in value-too bad!
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Hyundai Sonata
- 2008 Hyundai Sonata
- 2007 Hyundai Sonata
- 2006 Hyundai Sonata
- 2005 Hyundai Sonata
- 2004 Hyundai Sonata
Research the 2005 Hyundai Sonata
Buying & Selling
Premier Dealers
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
