Used 2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Engine/harness trouble - no more Hyundai for me
Susan, Stafford, VA, 04/20/2019
2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
I will start by saying I give 2 stars because this is an on-going problem and Hyundai is still sell this car, even after it is supposedly fixed. Very unsafe.
I purchased this car brand new in August 2018. In March 2019, I received a recall notice saying I needed to visit my dealer to have the computer for the car's engine updated. I took the car to the dealer 3 days later. Five days … after that, I'm driving to NY and 400+ miles away from home, my brand new car begins "limping" as I try merge onto a busy bridge. I took the car to the nearest dealer in Staten Island, NY and it is still there today. Not sure what is wrong. I understand this is a huge problem for the company where the engine or the harness in the Sonata and Santa Fe models need replacing. They think it's the harness, however, the piece has yet to arrive, so no telling. Because my trip was considered interrupted, I called Hyundai’s Customer Care 800 and received directions on what I should do next. They were empathetic, but they could not tell you what amount you would actually get reimbursed. That is up to the case manager to say and you don’t hear from that person for at least 5 days. Anyway, once he called me 5 days later, my case manager was extremely helpful and I was able take care of all the paperwork for the buy back, as well as my reimbursement funds.
Prior to this problem, I was relatively happy with the car. I enjoyed the generous warranty, the high safety rating, the huge trunk space, and the beautiful look (although the grill was a bit angry-looking to me). I also loved that it had a lot of “giddy-up”. I don’t think it was as quick on the draw as my 2012 Sonata (that was a rocket!), but it was close. Lastly, I received a great deal on the purchase of this car.
I was displeased with the elimination of the CD player, the Sirius service in the base SE version (I should not have to use my phone for music) and the pocket on the back of the passenger seat. Really no need to take these features from the base Sonata; that was just cheap on the part of the company.
As I will no longer be a Hyundai customer, I will add that all the service I received at the Hyundai dealership in Fredericksburg, VA was exceptional. The people were always polite and courteous, the place was clean and welcoming for adults and children alike, and my car was always returned to me shiny and clean, inside and out, whenever I went for a servicing. I hope my next dealer is as thoughtful and attentive.
Great Value for Money
Gopal S, Flushing, NY, 03/02/2018
2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
For the price, it is definitely a great buy - great fuel economy, interior, electronics, and safety. In other words, all the must are well satisfied. Where it falls short? Test drive the car under cold conditions and idling conditions to get the feel for sound and vibration. Make sure they are acceptable to you. I felt that Hyundai needs to work on this area more to stay on par with … other leaders. An additional thing to keep in mind is the insurance cost. For places like NY, insurance cost is high for sedans. Look for adding safety features to reduce insurance cost OR try other vehicles with AWD which may save $1000 per year in insurance cost alone.
Great Choice!
Sue Bauer, Sparta, NJ, 08/20/2018
2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
This is a great car. It's comfortable, responsive and a great value. I previously leased a Sonata which I was pleased with, so purchasing another Sonata when the lease was up was an easy decision. Improvements to the backup safety feature was improved as well as the blind spot warning.
2018 Hyundia Sonata
ron, Clairton, PA, 07/20/2018
2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
I just bought a 2018 Hyundia Sonata i love the car. i been buying Hyundai cars for 16 years i had Elantra's before i bought the Sonata I just took it on a first road trip. it rides smooth i put it in sport mood very good power on the highway the seats very comfortable handles very well i was going to get a Toyota camary im glad i bought the Sonata Hyundia has come a long ways so before … you look at another car test drive the Hyundia Sonata
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL SULEV Sedan
What’s new
- Restyled inside and out
- New standard safety features
- New eight-speed automatic transmission on 2.0T models
- Part of the sixth Sonata generation introduced for 2015
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Solid list of standard features and tons of available tech
- Pro:Spacious interior accommodations and generous trunk space
- Pro:Excellent user interface receives a more upscale redesign
- Pro:10-year powertrain warranty offers peace of mind
- Con:Lackluster power from base engine
- Con:Top turbocharged engine trails performance of its competitors
- Con:Slightly less rear legroom than the segment leaders
- Con:No options available on Edmunds' recommended Eco model
Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?
You could go many routes configuring the Hyundai Sonata depending on your preferences. One approach is to splurge on the fully loaded Limited 2.0T model with all the fixings, affording you creature comforts such as heated and ventilated seats, an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids. However, we feel the value pick is the Eco model, which comes with plenty of standard equipment and is powered by Hyundai's torquey and efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Hyundai Sonata Sedan
Driving
8.0Power in the top-of-the-line 2.0-liter turbo engine is plentiful for a midsize family sedan, and the driving dynamics are spirited but not sporty. On the whole, it drives in a manner that the typical buyer will find satisfactory, but it doesn't change the game in any way.
Comfort
8.0The newly updated suspension is a big improvement over past Sonatas. There's the right dose of compliance to smooth out road imperfections yet body roll isn't excessive — a good balance of comfort and control. The front seats deliver long-haul comfort and very effective ventilation.
Interior
8.0The cabin does the basics well, from accommodating various driver shapes to facilitating easy entry and exit. The placement of displays and controls is intuitive and easy to use. Even though this cabin isn't all-new, it still asks for fewer sacrifices than some newer sedans.
Utility
7.5There's little to complain about when it comes to the Sonata's everyday usability, which is aided by solid cargo capacity and no shortage of in-cabin storage options. It's as good as or better than what you'd get with the typical car in this class.
Technology
7.5While its infotainment isn't cutting-edge, the execution is sound and well thought through. The premium audio system might leave audiophiles wanting. It's decent but not exceptional. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, a nice attribute that's not universal in the segment.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Hyundai Sonata in New York is:
not availableLegal