2005 Hyundai Sonata Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2005 Hyundai Sonata and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2005 Sonata featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
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Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2005 Hyundai Sonata and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2005 Sonata 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2005 Sonata.
Vehicle
GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought the car used in 2005 with 18000 miles on it in New Mexico. Today I have 213000 miles on the car. I drove the car cross country over the mountains of Colorado and California and the high deserts of New Mexico. In New Mexico I easily made 31 MPG in this car because I do not speed and accelerate easily. However in 2007 I moved to Wisconsin. I towed a Uhaul cross country from New Mexico to Wisconsin without a problem. In Wisconsin I can not get better than 26 mpg no matter how easily I drive. The octane in NM was 86, here I use 89. I attribute the loss in MPG to ethanol. I have spent LESS THAN 2000 dollars total in maintenance and this includes planned maintenance at 150000 mile with a tune up, belts, hoses, and timing chain. (No issue just replaced them all at 150000 miles.) This car has been a superb and reliable vehicle for me. There are quirks in the vehicle that are not important to me but you may find of interest. The faux wood trim is peeling away from the central air vents, the paint has completely came off all 4 door handles, my drivers side rear chrome ripped off in a severe wind storm later claimed to be F1 tornado. All these issues are not important to me because in the last 11 years EVERY TIME I started the car (EVERY TIME) it has started on the first try and has performed excellent. A few cosmetic issues for this quality of operation is worth it to me. The only concerns I have for this vehicle are: The A.C. seals failed at about 150000 miles. I moved from New Mexico to Wisconsin so guess what I never fixed it. It does not get hot here. If I lived in New Mexico still this would be a problem. The fuel gas cap solenoid failed and Hyundai wanted 95.00 JUST for the solenoid labor was extra. I finally fixed it after enough people chased me down to let me know my gas cover was open. (Nice people up here, tired of worrying them) The headlights burn out quickly in the car and the springs that hold the lights into the headlight fixtures could have used some simplicity instead of elaborate spring design. I have to remove the battery from the car to change the driver side headlight because my hands are too big for the small space. Other than this, the car has been excellent! If you can live with these superficial issues and want a car that has the quality where it counts, the 2005 V6 is a definite SURE THING for me. I once thought of looking for a 2010 V6 to replace this one, but the car still starts every time and why pay for a newer car when this one is still so darned reliable.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2005 Hyundai Sonata
Edmunds Value
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Available Hyundai Sonata 2005 Submodel Types: Sedan
Available Trims: SE, GLS, Limited, GLS PZEV, SE PZEV, Limited PZEV, SEL SULEV, SE SULEV, Sport PZEV, Sport, SEL, Limited SULEV, Sport 2.0T, Base, GLS V6, Limited 2.0T, Base PZEV, Eco, GL, LX, Limited V6, Limited w/Brown Leather PZEV, Sport 2.0T w/Black Leather and Gray Accents, SE V6, Limited 2.0T w/Black Leather and Gray Accents, Limited w/Brown Leather, V6
Exterior Colors: Quartz White Pearl, Phantom Black, Symphony Silver, Radiant Silver, Venetian Red, Scarlet Red, Lakeside Blue, Harbor Grey Metallic, Shale Gray Metallic, Pacific Blue Pearl, Machine Gray, Phantom Black Metallic, Midnight Black, Electric Blue, Pearl White, Dark Truffle, Nouveau Blue, Iridescent Silver Blue Pearl, Shimmering White, Sparkling Ruby, Indigo Blue Pearl, Indigo Night, Powder White Pearl, Bright Silver, Ebony Black, Black Plum Pearl, Camel Pearl, Dark Cherry Red, Desert Bronze, Deepwater Blue, Steel Gray, Slate Blue, Willow Gray, Golden Beige, Medium Silver Blue, Ardor Blue, Brilliant Silver, Cocoa Metallic, Natural Khaki, Ruby Red, Silver Blue, Urban Sunset, White Pearl, Slate Gray, Aqua Blue, Dark Cinnamon, Noble White
Interior Colors: Gray premium cloth, Gray cloth, Gray leather, Beige premium cloth, Black leather/cloth, Camel cloth, Gray leather/cloth, Black leather, Black premium cloth, Camel leather, Beige leather, Camel premium cloth, Beige cloth, Beige, Black Leather w/Gray Accent leather, Brown leather, Cocoa leather, Black, Wine leather, Cocoa Black leather, Gray
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Bluetooth, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, Power Driver Seat, Heated seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Keyless Entry/Start, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Leather Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Post-collision safety system, Cooled Seats, Upgraded Headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Navigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Parking sensors, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pre-collision safety system, Remote Start, Upgraded Stereo, Power Liftgate/Trunk
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL, AUTOMATED_MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
