Used 2012 Hyundai Sonata SE Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata SE Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2012 Sonota 2.0 purchased on 12/31. Very poor MPG
123111buyer, Elkhart, IN, 01/26/2012
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Have only been averaging about 20 mpg suburb and highway (In the epa mode which was suppose to get 6mpg better) and took car back after 2weeks. Told by service area this is normal and I need to drive about 5k before it improves.
Have been in contact with H HQ serveral times and they refutes 5k claim, but also will not explain why mpg is averaging so low.
Pushing it off on boilerplate … responses (EPA sets mpg, load in car (Only me) tire pressure, blah blah nothing that is what I am doing. In a nut shell it not the car it is me.
Also have been having bluelink issues that haven't been resolved. Again can't get a straight answer.
Turbo Hyundai
lzabelsky, Donora, PA, 07/11/2011
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Great car for the money. Don't buy this as a substitute for a BMW, it is a great everday driver and a deal for the money.
Great warranty, performance, comfort etc...
No regret on the purchase and have had less gas station visits.
The extra $1,500 for the SE 2.0T was my best decision, very fast for an inexpensive family sedan and fun drive. The SE ride is a bit rougher with the low … profile tires. No complaint other than it appears the paint gets chipped easy on the front of the vehicle from road debris. Very nice family sedan, nice on long trips.
My first hyundai
sonata20t, Montgomery, AL, 04/22/2013
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The car is excellent for the value.
Hyundai put a lot into this car regarding quality.
I purchased the car new with all maintenance included.
I have owned the car for 1 year so far.
No issues.
Important:
You have to do the maintenance on this car or it will not drive like it is supposed to.
Also, the car has a GDI engine.
Please read up on the engine.
I bought a turbo because the engine … runs better with it.
I have seen mileage fluctuations but it was related to gas and oil.
You have to put premium in once a month.
Chevron with Techron is best.
It does require injector cleaner once every 2 months to keep up the MPG.
Buy the maintenance with the car!!!!!!!!
Update: 4/2016
I still have the car. Still love it. Kept the one I have (Orig $27K) because a new one is $35K with less horsepower.
Had the A/C compressor replaced under warranty. Other than that, no issues. Still get great MPG and performance.
I am at 75K miles. Have to replace the oil at 3K-4K miles as the car burns the oil. No matter what type you put in. I
put royal purple from walmart. The car does require more maintenance that other cars, like my wife's honda accord.
I have to change the coolant, transmission,brake, and oil fluids more often.. . . twice as often in fact. But it runs. I do
not like the fact that you have to pay to update the navigation. Mine is a 2012 2.0T with~300hp. another update to come in
a year or so.
Update: 5/2018
The car still runs great. Walmart does the oil changes and rotates the tires. I have 112K miles at this point. I switched to a set of
4 New Vercelli Strada Ii - P225/45zr18 and they are great. I had a set on sentry tires but they only lasted a year and a half.
Update 11/2018
The car still runs great. Have to change transmission fluid. Dealer only. I recommend running seafoam or similar from walmart through the gas once every 3 months. Cleans the injectors. Car burns no oil. at 120K miles.
Update 11/2019
The car still run great. There is a new oil coming out for GDI engines in May 2020. I will switch to that. Getting another set of tires soon as the Strata's are great but still last only a year and a half. The wear is even and all tires have same tread wear. interesting. . . . thinking that I have too much fun driving.
Update 11/2/20
Hyundai replaced the engine no charge. The car runs normal. Still fun to drive. I have Mach IV tires now. It does require more maintenance.as a GDI engine
does burn oil. Keep your oil changed on the regular as gas mixes with the oil on a GDI.
3000 mile oil changes. Running regular fuel normally with super once a month.
Update 08/2021
Car still runs great. Burns no oil. 160K miles. Regular oil changes. Regular transmission changes at 60K intervals. Tires working well. Just drive cross country with no issues. Absolutely fun to drive. It still will go 165 MPH. Everything works. If you get a good one of these with the 2.0 turbo, keep it until the wheels fall off.
Update 03/2022
Car runs great. Battery replaced due to age. 180K New Tires soon. Still runs great. Same gas mileage as new. No oil burn but it is a new engine core. Just keeping the oil changed every 3000 miles. Does not matter if synthetic or not as it will break down.
Update 08/2023
198,011 miles. Purchased a National Auto Care Warranty for 4 yrs/48000 miles exclusionary from Hyundai. Worth every penny. Alternator went out, covered. Car runs great still. Put Goodyear 235/45/18 and they are great. Keep until the wheels fall off.
PS. Don't go to Mike Morgan Hyundai in Shreveport as service is terrible!!!!!
85K miles on my 2012 Sonata SE
Tracey, Cumming, GA, 10/19/2015
2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I've been very pleased with this car! Bought it new and have had it 3 1/2 years now.
I put a lot of miles on my vehicles (avg 22K - 24K per year) however I take very good care of them, following manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule, getting regular oil changes, tire rotation, etc.
I typically keep cars for 150K miles at a minimum.
I average appx 28 MPG in Atlanta traffic … (which is stop and go).
No complaints whatsoever. Convinced my Dad and stepmom to buy a Sonata and they love theirs as well!
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata SE Sedan
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Lots of standard and optional features for the money
- Pro:stylish and comfortable cabin
- Pro:strong acceleration
- Pro:top fuel economy
- Pro:excellent safety scores
- Pro:lengthy warranty.
- Con:Distinctive styling affects rear headroom
- Con:rough ride in SE trim.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Sedan
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Hyundai Sonata in New Jersey is:
not availableLegal