1998 Hyundai Sonata Review
1998 Hyundai Sonata Review

Used Sonata for sale
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1998 Hyundai Sonata appraisal values can range from $204 - $1,094.
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Cheap, functional transportation with a huge rear seat.
Cons
- Lots of engine and wind noise. Bouncy suspension.
What’s new
No changes to the Sonata for 1998.
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 this Hyundai.
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 than 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. 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 1998 Hyundai Sonata.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2.25 out of 5 stars
would not recommend
alina,12/09/2002
GL 4dr Sedan
I've had a Sonata for two years and it
was only two years old when I bought
it. I've had more problems and put
more money into fixing it than I ever
should have.
3.25 out of 5 stars
Not a good car to buy, get the V6!
markman69,01/24/2003
GL 4dr Sedan
What ever you do, get the V6 if you are
considering buying a used Sonata. The
4-cylinder model lacks in pickup,
accelleration, and keeping a constant
speed. The Transmission is taxed
heavily because of the undersized
engine. The car is much too heavy to
have a 4 knocker under the hood, it
needs at least a 6, maybe even an 8!
3 out of 5 stars
OK
gregjstewart,01/25/2004
GL 4dr Sedan
No major problems. Does not let you
know you've left your lights on. This
can be a problem with weak battery that
comes with car. Tires weak on takeoff
on wet surfaces.
2.88 out of 5 stars
hyundai
kk92,05/01/2004
GL 4dr Sedan
ok so i bought this car used from the
credit union and 2 days later the power
windows went out. the rotors need to be
turned every 3 months whether the
brakes are brand new or not. when the
power windows mess up the locks mess up
and so on. when you lock one door while
its running the drivers side window
goes down. it has been ok while driving
on the highway but when … you need a part
you have to get them from the dealer
like the power windows is dealer only
and the transmission fluid is dealer
only due to its being a hyundai
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.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestPoor
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More about the 1998 Hyundai Sonata
More About This Model
Upon climbing into the Sonata that Hyundai provided Edmund's staffers for evaluation while on a recent trip to sunny California, I was struck by how different the car felt from the unloved Excel, the first Hyundai I ever drove. The Excel, unfortunately, is the only Hyundai that many people have ever driven. I remember when the car went on sale in 1986; its cheap price brought droves of my classmates into Hyundai showrooms, many of whom were thrilled to drive off the lot in a new car. The bad news is that many of those who drove off the lot in a new car were quickly bringing it back for service. The Excel went on to become one of the biggest automotive jokes of the late eighties. Because of the Excel, many people swore that they would never drive another Hyundai.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I climbed into Hyundai's latest midsize offering. The doors on the Sonata slammed shut with a reassuring thunk, the seats were firm and supportive, there was high quality plastic used on all of the interior trim pieces, and the dashboard was intelligently arranged. At first glance, I felt that the car was nicely done.
My impression of the Sonata remained the same as I threaded my way through dense Los Angeles traffic. The interior of the Sonata is quite roomy and comfortable, larger in size than the highly acclaimed Nissan Maxima. Its cargo space is lacking somewhat, offering less than the Chevrolet Malibu's impressive 16.4 cubic feet, but was more than enough to swallow my garment bag, valise, briefcase, and duffel. Visibility in the Sonata is quite good; large windows, a low beltline, and oversize sideview mirrors make it easy to keep track of traffic in every direction. My biggest complaint about the Sonata's interior was the ugly seat fabric, which had a busy geometric pattern and exhibited a Velcro-like ability to grip my clothes. Climbing out of the Sonata with the seat fabric pulling back on me was like trying to claw my way out of quicksand.
After sampling the Hyundai's well-done interior, I was disappointed to find that some of the Hyundai's mechanical components were not as well sorted out. The Sonata's 3.0-liter V6 engine with 142 horsepower and 168 lb./ft. of torque provided adequate acceleration and passing power for this car at sea level, but felt like it would be wheezy and out of breath if we were to bring it to a higher elevation. The transmission shifted surprisingly smoothly, but seemed to take a long time to decide when a downshift was required for passing or merging. Since this car's primary duty is family hauling, these minor annoyances could be easily overlooked. Nobody buying a Sonata would expect a fire-breathing racer capable of 30-foot smoky burnouts. What they do expect is a smooth, stable ride; something the Sonata did not deliver over the course of our evaluation. Frankly put, the Sonata's suspension is not up to the task of keeping this 3072-lb. car firmly planted on the road. Even small bumps and dips on California's relatively smooth freeways upset this car's suspension, which fully extended and crashed onto itself like some out of control teeter-totter. Worse, perhaps, is the steering kickback, which can be felt when the front tires encounter a pavement irregularity. On pockmarked rural roads it felt as if some unseen force was trying to wrench the steering wheel from my hands when I least expected it, not the sort of thing that I would like to contend with if I had a car full of kids and groceries.
Despite including standard equipment like alloy wheels, premium stereo with cassette, cruise control, and six-way power driver's seat, the Sonata GLS does not necessarily represent great value. Although its price seems to shine when compared to V6-powered Japanese midsize sedans like the Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima, and Honda Accord, it loses much of its luster when compared to American offerings such as the Chevrolet Malibu LS and Ford Contour SE. The Contour SE offers one of the most convincing front-wheel drive driving experiences in the world, its level of suspension sophistication outperforming even the new Volkswagen Passat GLS. The Ford's interior is a bit cramped, but the car can hold four adults in relative comfort on short trips. Best of all, it costs $500 less than the Sonata when optioned to the same level of comfort. The Chevrolet Malibu LS is perhaps one of the best deals in all the land. With a sticker of $18,995 and very few options to select, it would be hard for any car to beat in a value assessment.
Hyundai has made great strides since they introduced the Excel 11 years ago. Last year, they sold 113,000 vehicles in the United States alone, a 4.5 percent increase in a car market that was down 3 percent overall. Reliability and build quality questions have largely been sorted out since the introduction of this current generation of vehicles, and buyers have expressed their happiness with the company by giving Hyundai high marks in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction surveys. The question remains, however, of whether we should consider the Sonata a good deal when compared to the well-built Accord and Maxima, or whether we should consider it a bad deal when compared to the affordable Contour and Malibu. If the early negative feedback we've received from Malibu owners, and our own observations about the Ford's Contour's hit-and-miss build quality are any indication, it might be the former.
Used 1998 Hyundai Sonata Overview
The Used 1998 Hyundai Sonata is offered in the following submodels: Sonata Sedan. Available styles include GL V6 4dr Sedan, 4dr Sedan, GLS 4dr Sedan, and GL 4dr Sedan. Pre-owned Hyundai Sonata models are available with a 3.0 L-liter gas engine or a 2.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 142 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 1998 Hyundai Sonata comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual.
What's a good price on a Used 1998 Hyundai Sonata?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 1998 Hyundai Sonatas are available in my area?
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Can't find a used 1998 Hyundai Sonatas you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 1998 Hyundai Sonata?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Hyundai lease specials
Check out Hyundai Sonata lease specials
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