1996 Hyundai Sonata Review
Price Estimate: $318 - $529
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.
For sale near Watertown, CT
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.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Connecticut
$181/mo for Sonata GL
Sonata GL
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Hyundai Sonata Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Surpirsed
3.5 out of 5 starsStewart, 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.
Sonata Requiem
4.63 out of 5 starscicco, 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.
Great car, could do better on the road
4.25 out of 5 starsBinnie 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!!
I like it alot
5 out of 5 starsnoodle_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 | $181/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
4.1 average Rating out of 70 reviews. |
Starting at $28,700 |
4.2 average Rating out of 14 reviews. |
Starting at $27,190 |
4.5 average Rating out of 16 reviews. |
Starting at $28,295 |
Related Used 1996 Hyundai Sonata info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Toyota C HR 2020 Review
- Hyundai Nexo 2021 Review
- BMW 7 Series 2021 Review
- Porsche Cayenne Coupe 2020 Review
- GMC Savana 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- BMW I3 Auto
- Honda Fit Automatic
- NX 300H For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2018
- Used Acura ILX 2019
- Used Acura ILX 2021
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2016
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Genesis G90 2024
- Honda CR-V e:FCEV 2025
- Nissan Frontier 2024
- 2026 Nissan Frontier News
- New Audi A5
- 2026 Cadillac XT5 News
- 2024 Genesis GV80
- New BMW 8 Series
- 2026 Buick Enclave News
- New Land Rover Range Rover Velar
Research other models of
- 2025 Santa Cruz
- New Hyundai Sonata
- Hyundai Elantra N 2025
- Hyundai Santa Fe 2024
- New Hyundai Kona Electric
- 2024 Hyundai Palisade
- 2025 Hyundai Sonata
- New Hyundai Tucson
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata
- New Hyundai Elantra
Other models
- New Toyota Venza for Sale in Salinas, CA
- New Volvo Ex90 for Sale in San Ramon, CA
- Used BMW 2-Series-Gran-Coupe in Alpena, MI 2026
- Used Volkswagen CC in Marietta, OH 2017
- Used Volkswagen Gti in Ankeny, IA 2014
- New Subaru BRZ for Sale in El Segundo, CA
- Used BMW Activehybrid-7 in Monroe Township, NJ 2015
- Used Toyota Corolla-Hatchback in Emporia, KS 2025
- Used Mclaren 720S in Concord, NC 2023
- Used Mazda 3 in Alamogordo, NM 2025