2021 Hyundai Sonata

Price Range: $11,499 - $24,998

Good

The 2021 Sonata has the aura of a more expensive vehicle. It's stylish and it overdelivers in key areas, including its great-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system display, 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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Pros

Lots of helpful standard technology features
Big trunk and lots of interior storage space
Good value for the money
Enjoyable performance from the Sonata N Line

Cons

Not as comfortable as some other top sedans
Ho-hum interior quality

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

Updated: 7/12/2021

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan that competes against all-stars such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and newcomers such as the Kia K5 (which is mechanically related to the Sonata). The Sonata does all the typical sedan things well — the cabin is spacious, trunk space is massive, and it's quicker than you might expect. But it's the abundant tech features, such as the easy-to-use infotainment system and available high-res surround-view parking camera, that truly impress.

The big news for 2021 is a new range-topping performance trim. The Hyundai Sonata N Line is oriented toward buyers who want a family-friendly sedan with an edge. Power for the N Line comes from an all-new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is one of the more powerful upgrade engines you'll find in a midsize sedan. It also comes with slightly sharper handling, a special black-painted grille, dual exhaust pipes, and sport front seats with red accent stitching.

We've tested the new N Line and found it to be impressively enjoyable to drive. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth report of the Sonata's performance, comfort and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

8.0

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Hyundai Sonata on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Sonata drive? We tested a Sonata Limited with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. 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 accelerating on freeway on-ramps, 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? The Sonata gives the appearance of refinement, but 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 also 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.

The size of the interior is excellent, matching interiors of larger vehicles in the segment and ensuring there's plenty of room 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's available 10.3-inch touchscreen looks crisp and is quick to respond to your touch. 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, like most family sedans, has a suite of advanced safety features. But some of these features — such as blind-spot cameras that appear in the digital gauge cluster and the driver-free Smart Park — are mostly gimmicks. They're neat to show to your friends but don't have much practical value.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? 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 30 mpg combined (27 city/37 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 over 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 stand out against the otherwise stellar 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.

For sale near Ashburn, VA

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2021 Hyundai Sonata
Limited Sedan
$17,694
fair price
$195 below market
- 91,629 miles
- 27 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- 17 mi away
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
KEY FEATURES AND OPTIONS Comes equipped with: Air Conditioning, Sunroof, Front Heated Seats. This Hyundai Sonata also includes Power Driver's Seat, Cl...
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5NPEH4J26MH084839
Stock:
84839
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-16-2026
2021 Hyundai Sonata
SE Sedan
$19,697
- 22,039 miles
- 28 City / 38 Hwy MPG
- 68 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Bel Air, MD
Welcome to Superior Motor Company. We are located at 1320 Baltimore Rd, Bel Air, Maryland 21014. Thank you for considering Superior Motor Company for ...
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (28 City/38 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5NPEG4JA3MH112400
Stock:
19899
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-26-2026

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2021 Hyundai Sonata trim level differences

The 2021 Sonata is available in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and the new N Line. Hyundai also offers the Sonata Hybrid variant, which is reviewed separately. Compare the 2021 Hyundai Sonata trim levels in-depth.

Which Sonata trim does Edmunds recommend?

All versions of the 2021 Sonata come so well equipped that it's tempting to recommend the base model. However, the SEL simply adds too much good stuff to ignore. With a more comfortable cabin and unique style, the SEL delivers on the inside and looks the part on the outside. Consider adding the Convenience package for truly impressive features such as a wireless charging station, larger instrument display and panoramic sunroof.

Hyundai Sonata Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

51 reviews

5(63%)

4(6%)

3(4%)

2(10%)

1(17%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Great car

Geoff G, 02/10/2021

2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Got the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited. This car is loaded with technology. All the bells and whistles. Like driving a Lexus with all the options at a much lower cost. Beautiful styling inside and out. Drives great!

Great Car

George Morrill, 03/26/2021

2021 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

This car is amazing! 5 star safety rating and has everything to assist you arrive safely. UPDATE: Truly there is nothing bad to say about this vehicle. Sleek, handles great, comfortable and last, but not least, gas mileage is awesome.

Amazing options

mikeyp53, 06/12/2021

2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

This is my fourth Sonata. They keep adding more and more features as standard equipment. Although the SE is the cheapest model, for a few dollars more the SEL adds more electronics, lane avoidance/collision avoidance and nicer interior and exterior add ons. Comfortable interior seating and power drivers side also part of the package. Special wheels and tires give it a sharp look. I …

If I knew then what I know now

Wendy, 03/06/2022

2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

I own a 2021 Sonata SEL, white with the panoramic roof. There is no question about the appearance of this car. I get compliments about it all the time. The interior is nice and well thought out. But, I didn't buy this car just to look good I needed a reliable car that I could count on. I'm sorry to say that reliable hasn't happened for me. Currently it has 17, 000 miles on it and a huge …

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2021 Hyundai Sonata Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Est. Market Value	$16,843
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$147/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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Reliability

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts’ favorite Sonata safety features:

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.

Research other Sonata years

FAQ

Is the Hyundai Sonata a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Sonata both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.0 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 Sonata gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sonata has 16.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Sonata. Learn more

Is the Hyundai Sonata reliable?

To determine whether the Hyundai Sonata is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sonata. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sonata's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Hyundai Sonata is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Sonata and gave it a 8.0 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 Sonata gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Sonata is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata?

The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai Sonata is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,950.

Other versions include:

SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $23,950
SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $25,800
SEL Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,300
N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $33,300
Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $33,950

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What are the different models of Hyundai Sonata?

If you're interested in the Hyundai Sonata, the next question is, which Sonata model is right for you? Sonata variants include SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A), SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A), SEL Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM). For a full list of Sonata models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more