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Used 2012 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
117 reviews

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Pros
Cons
2 out of 5 stars

Good gas mileage - engine failure - never again

MTX, 06/29/2025
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

We've had the Sonata for 13 years now. At first, it was great! It is super no frills, but gets good gas mileage and was our around town car. A/C does not work well, but I guess I could figure that out when we test drove it. At around 100K miles, it started burning oil - like a quart per 300 miles. We had to jump through all sorts of hoops and still spend about $2K, but finally got a new engine as their engines have extremely high failure rates. It took 3 months to get it replaced. Everyone I know with a Kia or Hyundai has this same issue between 74-120K miles. I see lots of 13 yr old cars on the road - not a lot of these cars. Their underpowered engines are just not made to last and it is getting harder and harder to get them to honor the warranty. My sister sold her oil burner as she was told the warranty would not be honored because she was not the original owner. Buy only if you plan to replace your car every few years. I will never again buy a Kia or Hyundai.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Value for money

Al, 01/01/2023
updated 01/06/2025
2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had this car since 2012 as it was the first hyundai that was designed with help from a Italian car designer, Pininfarina. I love the lines. The 2.4 engine produced about 200 hp which is decent and allows you to keep up with traffic. Ride is soft and comfortable so car does not like hard cornering. Car has been trouble free and because of recalls Hyundai has extended the power train warranty to lifetime. Car starts and go and has been a reliable transport for me. Nothing spectacular. In 2024, I went EV and gave my reliable Hyundai Sonata to my cousin. It served me well and would recommend it as a reliable and trouble free transport

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2012 Hyundai Sonata for sale near you
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5 out of 5 stars

Great car

Jimmy M, 11/15/2019
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great warranty

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Biggest Lemon

Steve, 01/13/2018
2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

My 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0t on the outside/inside appear to look nice and comparable to a high end luxury vehicle. Mechanically it is garbage! Owning this car for 3years 90,000 I had to the replace turbo sensor, fuel pump, 2 batteries, and run into multiple situations where the car would not start. Hyundai corporate and dealerships have been useless and do not stand by their products. This is my second and last Hyundai buying, next time I'll put the money towards a Toyota, a company who stands by their products and who has proven reliability.

Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

love / hate relationship

tonysi, 03/03/2014
updated 03/03/2016
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

My first non honda product in many years. Love the features, performance, mileage and style. What i hate are the problems, waste gate issue after 1000 miles, spider webs in the turbo, waste gate reprogram again and finally at 50k the engine light on again and a fuel pump replacement. While all were under warranty there were no loaner cars offered by my dealer. Its like my Corvette, great car when its running right ! I finally traded this car in last year after 72k miles because it just did not age well. The car felt very loose and and developed suspension issues in the front end and a recall for an issue with the rear suspension. I guess I was a spoiled Honda owner who was not accustomed to repeat visits to the shop for repairs, covered or not. Yes, I have returned to Honda, new CRV, which has never been back to dealer for any issues in the past year.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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