2022 Hyundai Sonata Review

Name: 2022 Hyundai Sonata Review
Brand: Hyundai
Price: 18912 USD

+223

The Sonata has the aura of a more expensive vehicle. It's stylish and it overdelivers in key areas, including its great-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system display, cool parking camera system and long warranty coverage. But in other areas, the Sonata merely matches what you'd expect from a midsize sedan, and it falters slightly when it comes to ride quality and seat comfort.

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2022 Hyundai Sonata Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Lots of helpful standard technology features
Big trunk and ample interior storage space
Good value for the money
Enjoyable performance from the Sonata N Line

Cons

Not as comfortable as some other top sedans
Ho-hum interior quality

What's new

N Line Night Edition appearance package
Panoramic sunroof, upgraded audio system and nav now standard on SEL Plus trim
Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Over the years Hyundai's Sonata has been a consistently good pick for a sedan that's big on value. But back in 2020 it would seem Hyundai wasn't quite satisfied with just value. That's when it redesigned the Sonata and gave it a wallop of avant-garde style. Then it followed up for 2021 by cranking up the performance with the N Line version of the Sonata. Fitted with a 290-horsepower engine, the N Line sets a new midsize sport sedan benchmark.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/21 (2.5L 4cyl 8A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$135/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The changes are comparatively small for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata. Notably, the once optional Tech package on the already value-stacked SEL Plus trim is now standard. And the recently christened N Line gets a new appearance package, known as the Night Edition, that adds a mix of matte and gloss black exterior finishes and a spritz of carbon-fiber trim.

Overall, the Sonata is among the best midsize sedans out and is a worthy rival to the Honda Accord, Kia K5 and Nissan Altima. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our team's full take on the Sonata's comfort, performance and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Sonata drive? We tested a Sonata Limited with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. It's not exceptionally quick but the Sonata can edge out similarly powered family sedans, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds. It doesn't have trouble keeping pace with traffic or accelerating on freeway on-ramps, but doing so requires more pressure on the gas pedal than you might be used to.

Steering, handling and braking are matter-of-fact, though there are some strange traits. The firm overall ride doesn't net a worthwhile handling balance. And the brake pedal emits a slight pulsation under light, constant application, like when you're heading down a gentle grade. There's nothing particular to object to, but there isn't much to praise either.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Sonata? The Sonata gives the appearance of refinement, but its interior comfort comes up short of expectations. The seats are firm and lack the supple comfort and adjustment ranges found in segment leaders. The ride also falls on the firm side. The Sonata is far from uncomfortable, but it transmits bumps and impacts into the cabin that other similarly priced family sedans wouldn't. The interior is a touch louder too.

On the upside, the climate controls, including heated and ventilated front seats, are quiet and effective. Overall the interior gets the job done, but it doesn't go any further.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? Nearly all of the controls are simple to intuit, which is impressive considering the abundance of interior features. A push-button shifter remains the biggest wart. The layout requires extra attention to make sure you're selecting the right gear, which can add needless anxiety to a quick three-point turn.

The size of the interior is excellent, matching interiors of larger vehicles in the segment and ensuring there's plenty of room for occupants of all sizes. On the other hand, even people of average height have to duck slightly while getting in and out. We'd like more driver's seat adjustment range, especially in seat height.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The Sonata's available 10.3-inch touchscreen looks crisp and is quick to respond to your touch. The excellent voice controls understand most natural language commands for stereo, navigation and phone. Smartphone integration was flawless in our car, and it supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in widescreen format.

The Sonata, like most family sedans, has a suite of advanced safety features. But some of these features — such as blind-spot cameras that appear in the digital gauge cluster and the driver-free Smart Parking Assist — are mostly gimmicks. They're neat to show to your friends but don't have much practical value.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The trunk opening is large, and the reasonable liftover height allows plenty of space to load items. We also like that switches to flip down the rear seats are easy to access in the trunk.

The Sonata's center console is deceivingly capable. What looks like a mere open flat area has clever touches, such as a textured surface and a partition between the cupholders for a spare phone. The front passenger also has access to a small but nice storage area on the right side of the tunnel. When it comes to car seats, the lower car-seat anchor points are squished between seat bottoms and seatbacks so you have to dig a bit to reach them.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Sonata with the turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic gets 31 mpg combined (27 city/37 highway). These figures fall right in line with those of similarly priced and equipped midsize sedans, though we were not able to match it. We averaged 26.4 mpg over about 400 miles of mixed city driving. It's worth noting that the base engine — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder — holds a slightly better combined rating of up to 32 mpg.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Sonata a good value? A ton of technology features, a large interior, a class-leading warranty and strong ownership perks give the Sonata killer value on paper. If you prioritize advanced safety features and look-at-me style, the Sonata provides your money's worth.

The trade-off is a driving experience and interior that don't relay the sense of quality promised by the style. Top performers in the segment do both better. The Sonata's interior has some non-uniform panel gaps and occasional cheap-looking bits of trim that stand out against the otherwise stellar appearance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

If it only drove as neat as it looks. The exterior style causes double takes, and many people we talked to during our test assumed the Sonata was a luxury car. It's distinct on the road and in a crowded parking lot, but not in an ostentatious way. Big credit to Hyundai for making a family sedan that stands out.

While riding the boost of a turbocharged engine is always enjoyable, there's little else in the Sonata to muster enthusiasm. Ride, steering and handling get the job done but lack the tactile satisfaction you'll find in more enjoyable sedans. Also, similarly priced sedans offer more powerful and entertaining engines, making them more compelling propositions.

Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?

Consider the SEL trim to get the best value for your money. On top of what you get from the base SE, the SEL adds desirable features such as heated seats, keyless ignition and blind-spot warning. You can also get it with the optional Convenience package to get a few more extras (leather upholstery, for instance) without having to pay for the SEL or Limited. Of course, if performance is a priority, the N Line is the one to get.

2022 Hyundai Sonata models

The 2022 Sonata is available in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and N Line. Hyundai also offers the Sonata Hybrid variant, which is reviewed separately. Feature highlights for the Sonata include:

SE
Comes respectably well equipped with:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive
LED headlights
16-inch alloy wheels
8-inch central touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Six-speaker sound system

Standard safety equipment on all Sonatas includes:

Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Sonata back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SEL
A nicer Sonata thanks to:

17-inch wheels
Proximity keyless entry and push-button start
Blue Link connectivity and remote services
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Hands-free trunk opener
Safety exit warning (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Convenience package
An optional package for the SEL that adds:

Panoramic sunroof
Digital instrument display
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Rear climate vents
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Hyundai Digital Key (allows you to operate the vehicle while carrying your Android smartphone instead of the physical key)

SEL Plus
Has a more powerful engine plus:

Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (180 hp, 195 lb-ft)
Convenience package from the SEL
19-inch wheels
Simulated leather seating with microfiber inserts
Navigation system
12-speaker premium Bose sound system
Enhanced adaptive cruise and lane keeping systems

Limited
Carries over features from the SEL Plus and also comes with:

Upgraded LED headlights
18-inch wheels
Head-up display
Heated steering wheel
Leather seating surfaces
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Ventilated front seats
Ambient interior lighting
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Blind-spot view monitor (uses cameras to project a moving rearward image onto a digital display)
Surround-view monitor (gives you a top-down view of the Sonata and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Hyundai's Smart Parking Assist (allows the driver to exit the vehicle and remotely guide it into a parking spot using a smartphone app)

N Line
The performance version of the Sonata, the N Line is equipped similarly to the SEL Plus with the Tech package. It also has:

Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (290 hp, 311 lb-ft)
Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Unique 19-inch wheels (with available summer tires)
Sport-tuned steering and suspension
Front seats with additional bolstering
N Line-specific styling details

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#9 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Sonata from 2008-2022.}

$406/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.04x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.2%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Hyundai Sonata.

5 (67%)

4 (4%)

3 (5%)

2 (7%)

1 (17%)

4.0

70 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 70 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Great car

Geoff G, 02/10/2021

2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Got the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited. This car is loaded with technology. All the bells and whistles. Like driving a Lexus with all the options at a much lower cost. Beautiful styling inside and out. Drives great!

Unique styling with great feature set and tech

Mirage_1, 09/25/2022

2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Purchased a 2022 Sonata SEL. The styling can be polarizing but I think it has a great look from most angles. The SEL is the sweet spot in the Sonata line. You get the unique daytime running lights, auto air, power driver's seat, heated seats and the full Hyundai safety suite including radar cruise. It rides well, is quiet and has plenty of power with the NA engine. (fuel economy is also …

2021 Sonata N Line. I didn't want to like it..

Mark B., 04/18/2021

2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

When it comes to a daily driver, I have several parameters. I won't spend over 40G. I won't lease. And at 6ft 2 with nerve damaged legs from my battle with cancer, legroom and seat comfort are paramount. Comfort is also an extremely subjective category. What works for you might not work for me, and vice versa. Accord Sport/Touring seats don't work for me. Camry in TRD trim is too "Fast & … Furious" for me. Altima has a CVT trans and horribly uncomfortable driver's seat for me. I was considering a K5 GT but none to be found locally. Figured I'd drive a Sonata N Line to get a feel for the package and scratch it off my list. I was not a huge fan of the 2020 exterior redesign although it slowly grew on me. And it does look better in N Line trim. I had a few cars on my list to spend a few days looking at and driving. The N Line was the closest so I started there. Sat in it for a bit and the driver's seat worked for me. Salesman threw a tag on it and told me to go have fun. Within a mile I was impressed. Twenty minutes later when I returned, I told the salesman to make me an offer I couldn't refuse. I drive it home 90 minutes later. The ride is firm but not harsh. It's definitely quieter than the previous generation Sonata. Handles great. Faster than a Hyundai should be allowed to be. The dual clutch transmission is fantastic. I've owned two dozen or so cars over the years, several German. I've never been approached about any of them the way I've been with this car. Seven weeks with it as I write this and I've been approached by strangers nearly two dozen times. Some knowing what the N Line is. Some asking if it's a Genesis or an Audi. Some genuinely not knowing what it could be. Gripes? Wish it had memory settings for the driver's seat. Wish it had ventilated seats although so far I really don't miss them. The light sensor for the auto headlights is beyond sensitive. I can barely clear going under an average overpass at highway speeds without the lights coming on in barely two seconds. Honestly, that's it. I don't regret my decision and I look forward to driving it every day. UPDATE 4/23/2022 Just over 20,000 miles in. Thermostat was replaced back in January. It was stuck open so wasn't really getting much heat. Other than that, routine oil changes, engine and cabin air filters, and replaced the tires only due to personal preference. I wasn't a fan of the Pirellis. A couple of 500 mile days with road trips. Still get asked what kind of car it it frequently. Fit and finish still like new. 4/25/2024 UPDATE. Three years and 48,000 miles at the moment. Nothing but routine maintenance. Still tight as a drum. No creaks/rattles. Recently drove nearly 1000 miles in a day moving cross country with my cat and dog. Stellar road trip vehicle.

Brand new N Line in Quartz White

Still got game , 11/15/2021

2022 Hyundai Sonata N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

have had this 2022 N-Line Sonata a bit less than a month now.. best deal in the market right now. Rides like German sport sedan, most of the time. when it’s dry and flat outside( south florida) it’s in Sport+. when it rains I go to Sport mode. It can keep up with anyone out there. Looks sharp, fit and finish is great, has everything you need, including burying you in your comfy seat when …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonata since its last redesign.

See all 70 reviews of the Hyundai Sonata

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2022 Sonata Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$135/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sonata models:

Smart Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-selectable distance between the Sonata and the car in front.
Surround View Monitor: Provides a bird's-eye view of the car for ultimate parking precision.
Remote Smart Parking Assist: Allows the driver to exit the vehicle and remotely guide it into a parking spot using a smartphone app.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Hyundai Sonata Review

2022 Hyundai Sonata Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/21 (2.5L 4cyl 8A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Hyundai Sonata models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Great car

Unique styling with great feature set and tech

2021 Sonata N Line. I didn't want to like it..

Brand new N Line in Quartz White

2022 Sonata Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/21 (2.5L 4cyl 8A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}