2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

Name: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Review
Brand: Hyundai

Price Range: $15,244 - $23,998

2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited Sedan Exterior

+163

The Sonata has the aura of a more expensive vehicle. It's stylish and it overdelivers in key areas, such as a great-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system display, a cool parking camera system and long warranty coverage. But in other areas, the Sonata merely matches what you'd expect from a midsize sedan, and it falters slightly when it comes to ride quality and seat comfort.

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2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Lots of helpful standard technology features
Big trunk and lots of interior storage space
Good value for the money

Cons

Interior doesn't feel as luxurious as some rivals' cabins
A more powerful engine upgrade isn't offered

What's new

Redesigned for 2020
Sharp new look inside and out
Several new technology features
Kicks off the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020

Overview

If you've seen Hyundai's TV spots for its fully redesigned 2020 Sonata, you'll likely know that Hyundai's highlighting the car's new technology features. But if you just happen to see a new Sonata on the road, you might just be equally intrigued with the car's styling. The new Sonata looks significantly sportier than it did before thanks to longer and lower dimensions, as well as an aggressively styled grille and daytime running lights that stretch up over the hood.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$113/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

So about that new technology ... The first headlining feature is remote parking assist, which lets you be outside the car and direct it to move forward or backward using buttons on the key fob. The car even automatically makes minor steering adjustments, so you don't have to worry about being perfectly lined up with the space. The Sonata moves very slowly in parking-assist mode, so it's not a great solution for every parking lot. But in a pinch, it means you can use spaces that would be too narrow to allow you to get in or out of the car easily.

The second new tech feature is Hyundai's digital key, an app that lets you use your phone as a key. Unfortunately, this digital key feature isn't currently compatible with iPhones. Hyundai says it's working on partnering with Apple to enable its app, but for right now it only works on Android devices.

Hyundai has also completely reworked the interior. Climate controls are simple, the high-mounted touchscreen is easy to use, and the overall look is a little less cluttered thanks to a switch from a traditional transmission lever to buttons for park, drive, etc. The cabin is also spacious, with enough room for a 6-foot passenger to fit comfortably behind a 6-foot driver.

Put it all together and you've got a midsize sedan that has what it takes to compete with the luxurious Mazda 6, sporty Kia Stinger, popular Toyota Camry and, our current favorite, the Honda Accord.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Sonata drive? The turbo 1.6-liter engine produces acceptable power that the eight-speed automatic puts to effective use. While not exceptionally quick, the Sonata can edge out similarly powered family sedans, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds. It doesn't have trouble keeping pace with traffic or on freeway onramps, but doing so requires more pressure on the gas pedal than you might be used to.

Steering, handling and braking are matter-of-fact, though there are some strange traits. The firm overall ride doesn't net a worthwhile handling balance. And the brake pedal emits a slight pulsation under light, constant application, like when you're heading down a gentle grade. There's nothing particular to object to, but there isn't much to praise either.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Sonata? Though the Sonata gives the appearance of refinement, its interior comfort comes up short of expectations. The seats are firm and lack the supple comfort and adjustment ranges found in segment leaders. The ride too falls on the firm side. It's far from uncomfortable, but it transmits bumps and impacts into the cabin that other similarly priced family sedans wouldn't. The interior is a touch louder too.

On the upside, the climate controls, including heated and ventilated front seats, are quiet and effective. Overall the interior gets the job done, but it doesn't go any further.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? Nearly all of the controls are simple to intuit, which is impressive considering the abundance of interior features. A push-button shifter remains the biggest wart. The layout requires extra attention to make sure you're selecting the right gear, which can add needless anxiety to a quick three-point turn.

Interior size is excellent, matching interiors of larger vehicles in the segment and ensuring there's plenty of room inside for occupants of all sizes. On the other hand, even those of average height have to duck slightly while getting in and out. We'd like more driver's seat adjustment range, especially in seat height.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The Sonata has a segment-leading screen in size, response and appearance. The excellent voice controls understand most natural language commands for stereo, navigation and phone. Smartphone integration was flawless in our car, and it supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in widescreen format.

The Sonata has a suite of safety features like most family sedans, but it betters rivals with its compressive surround-view camera system that makes parking much easier. But some of these features — such as blind-spot cameras that appear in the digital gauge cluster and the driver-free Smart Park — are gimmicks that are ultimately best ignored.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? In total cargo capacity, the Sonata matches the largest family sedans. The trunk opening is large and the reasonable liftover height allows plenty of space to load items. We also like the rear-seat flip-down switches that are easy to access in the trunk.

The Sonata's center console is deceivingly capable. What looks like a mere open flat area has clever touches, such as a textured surface and a partition between the cupholders for a spare phone. The front passenger also has access to a small but nice storage area on the right side of the tunnel. When it comes to car seats, the lower car-seat anchor points are squished between seat bottoms and seatbacks, so you have to dig a bit to reach them.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA fuel economy rating for the Sonata with the turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic is 31 mpg combined (27 city/36 highway). These figures fall right in line with those of similarly priced and equipped midsize sedans, though we were not able to match it. We averaged 26.4 mpg during about 400 miles of mixed city driving. It's worth noting that the base engine — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder — holds a slightly better combined rating of 32 mpg.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Sonata a good value? A ton of technology features, a large interior, a class-leading warranty and strong ownership perks give the Sonata killer value on paper. If you prioritize advanced safety features and look-at-me style, the Sonata provides your money's worth.

The trade-off is a driving experience and interior that don't relay the sense of quality promised by the style. Top performers in the segment do both better. The Sonata's interior has some non-uniform panel gaps and occasional cheap-looking bits of trim that contrast against the otherwise stellar-looking appearance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

If it only drove as neat as it looks. The exterior style causes double takes, and many people we talked to during our test assumed the Sonata was a luxury car. It's distinct on the road and in a crowded parking lot, but not in an ostentatious way. Big credit to Hyundai for making a family sedan that stands out.

While riding the boost of a turbocharged engine is always enjoyable, there's little else in the Sonata to muster enthusiasm. Ride, steering and handling get the job done but lack the tactile satisfaction you'll find in more enjoyable sedans. Also, similarly priced sedans offer more powerful (and entertaining) engines, making them more compelling propositions.

Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?

Buyers looking for just the basics will likely find the SE sufficient, but the SEL adds a number of modern amenities for a reasonable price bump. Upgrading adds a blind-spot monitor, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats and aggressively styled bumpers. If you or your passengers frequently have a lot of personal electronic devices onboard, the Convenience package is also worth adding for its extra USB port and wireless charging pad.

2020 Hyundai Sonata models

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan sold in four trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus and Limited. The SE has a solid list of standard features, including advanced driver safety aids. The SEL and the SEL Plus are reasonably priced upgrades that add significantly more convenience features. The Limited is fairly pricey but includes all options on lower trims, plus a handful of unique items such as ventilated seats and a remote parking feature.

The SE and the SEL are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The SEL Plus and the Limited use a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft on tap. There's no significant fuel economy or power gain by going with the turbocharged engine, so don't feel like you are missing anything by sticking with the base engine. All Sonatas come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment highlights on the Sonata SE include LED headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The SEL adds a lot of extras such as heated mirrors, a hands-free trunk opener, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The SEL offers two primary option packages. The first is the Convenience package, which includes a digital instrument cluster, a wireless charging pad and a rear charge-only USB port. The Premium package brings a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

In addition to the turbocharged engine, the SEL Plus comes with simulated leather and faux-suede upholstery plus the contents of the Convenience package. On this trim you can select the Technology package that further adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, the Bose audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and an enhancement for the adaptive cruise control system that automatically matches the posted highway speed limit.

Step up to the range-topping Limited and you'll find all features listed above, plus an automated remote parking system, a digital key feature (lets you use your phone to enter and start the car), a surround-view parking camera, driver-seat memory settings, a head-up display, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and ventilated front seats.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#9 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Sonata from 2008-2022.}

$406/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.04x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.2%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Hyundai Sonata.

5 (76%)

4 (10%)

3 (2%)

2 (5%)

1 (7%)

4.5

51 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Outstanding car

Joe from Florida, 02/23/2020

2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I bought the Sonata Limited and I absolutely love it. I spent 3 months researching and driving different cars and selected the Sonata. So far it has exceeded all my expectations. I came out of a Nissan Maxima. Looked at the Maxima, Accord, and Camry. I chose the Sonata because the driver’s safety technology worked better in the Sonata. Cooled and heated seats. Surround cameras, …

A Superior sedan

scorpiusraven, 03/30/2020

2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Having had a 2019 Accord EX, I had a high bar of what this vehicle needed to be. It exceeds my expectations. Tech: Well beyond the Honda Accord. The instrument cluster is top notch, the Highway Drive Assistance is far beyond the Accord's capabilities, the display screen for the infotainment system is far easier to see and use in my experience. The Bose sound system is wonderful.I …

NICE car

Marvin B., 05/06/2020

2020 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

This car has saved me from going over the line several times now. It also has the BEST STEREO I have ever heard in a vehicle!! Bose surround sound with 12 speakers!!! The car is very comfortable, looks great, and is just a joy to drive.

Excitment from my Hyundai Sonata limited

James Gelhaar , 03/11/2020

2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I had a 2016 Sonata Limited and loved it. I was not happy with the 2019 limited and was leaning toward a Tyota Camery. Once I saw the 2020 limited I took two test drives. Amazing. The safety features are excellent. The ride is a joy. I get compliments on the styling often. My MPG in city traffic is near 30. My trunk space is excellent. This car is outstanding.

See all 51 reviews of the Hyundai Sonata

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2020 Hyundai Sonata videos

Hyundai vs. Honda: How the New Sonata Stacks Up Against the Accord Dollar for Dollar

In this video, Edmunds' Carlos Lago and Elana Scherr find out how the new Hyundai Sonata compares to the Honda Accord. The Honda Accord has been Edmunds’ top recommendation to most shoppers looking for a midsize sedan, but the new Hyundai Sonata looks to be a competent challenger on…

2020 Sonata Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$113/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Sonata models:

Smart Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-selectable distance between the Sonata and the car in front.
Surround View Monitor: Provides a bird's-eye view of the car for ultimate parking precision.
Remote Smart Parking Assist: Allows the driver to exit the vehicle and remotely guide it into a parking spot using a smartphone app.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

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2020 Hyundai Sonata Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Hyundai Sonata models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Outstanding car

A Superior sedan

NICE car

Excitment from my Hyundai Sonata limited

2020 Hyundai Sonata videos

Hyundai vs. Honda: How the New Sonata Stacks Up Against the Accord Dollar for Dollar

2020 Sonata Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.93 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}