The 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a stylish-looking sedan that boasts roomy seating and plenty of features for the money. Available all-wheel drive and a long warranty are other strong points. Overall it's a smart pick for a midsize sedan.Read full review
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the Senior News Editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.
Pros
Comes loaded with many helpful standard technology features
Roomy interior with ample storage
High fuel economy from the Sonata Hybrid
Cons
Not as comfortable as some other top sedans
Some interior materials look a little cheap
What's new
Base SE trim reintroduced for 2025
Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a standout pick for a midsize sedan. It's offered as both a hybrid or a traditional gas-powered sedan and comes with the option for either front- or all-wheel drive. Last year, the Sonata received a styling makeover. The changes make it look a little more daring, something sedans need to compete in a market that's jam-packed with SUV-hungry shoppers. As a result of the big overhaul in 2024, the Sonata carries over into 2025 with no significant changes.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Hyundai Sonata SEL Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) 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 $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded in Massachusetts.
While it's not an out-and-out performance machine, the Sonata N Line, its top trim, comes with a juiced-up turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a very healthy 290 horsepower. But that's not all it gets. The N Line comes with every feature Hyundai is willing to throw at the Sonata from the start and performance that genuinely blows the competition away. If you want a surprisingly quick midsize sedan, the N Line is probably your best bet.
Competitors to consider
The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are both great options. Notably, every Camry is now a hybrid while the Accord comes with a hybrid powertrain in its more expensive trim levels. You should also check out the Kia K5. It's related to the Sonata and gets a refresh for 2025. Overall, the Sonata is easy to recommend among this group, especially if style and value are top priorities for you. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more.
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
7.9
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a stylish-looking sedan that boasts roomy seating and plenty of features for the money. Available all-wheel drive and a long warranty are other strong points. Overall it's a smart pick for a midsize sedan.
How does the Sonata drive? We tested the Sonata Hybrid. Acceleration feels good off the line but tapers off once you're rolling. Essentially, it feels zippy around town but it may take some planning to pass cars at freeway speeds. In Edmunds' testing, our Sonata Hybrid test car covered 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds. That's a bit slower than hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry we tested.
The Sonata's brakes stop smoothly and have suitable power for emergency situations. And although it's easy to drive around town, the Sonata feels lazy most of the time. It meanders along roads, the tires give up grip quickly, and the steering feels remote and exceptionally artificial. If a rewarding driving experience is a priority, the Sonata N Line will no doubt be more your thing.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Sonata? The Sonata Hybrid is a pretty comfortable car, but it isn't perfect. The front seats have a nice shape, but we found the padding a bit stiff, which can reduce your comfort on long trips. The outboard rear seats are nice and cushy, but the middle seat is stiff and uncomfortable.
Ride comfort is a high point and strikes a good balance between being comfortable and controlled. The Sonata Hybrid's suspension absorbs impacts well without being overly floaty or soft when you take on curvy roads. The climate control system blows strong and cold at its max and is very effective at regulating cabin temperature in auto mode.
Surprisingly, road and wind noise is higher than average. It's not bothersome or loud, but you know that it's there. There's some engine noise at freeway speeds as well.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? There's plenty of interior room for front occupants, and rear legroom is similarly generous. Most drivers will find that it is easy to settle into a comfortable driving position thanks to the range of adjustments in the seat and steering wheel. The Sonata's center controls are intuitive to use and easy to reach. The same goes for the sharp and responsive 12.3-inch touchscreen and its on-screen menus and buttons.
Visibility is good to the front and sides. But rear visibility is a little impeded because of the thick rear window pillars, sloping rear roofline and high rear deck.
Save as much as $1,461 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $1,461 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Limited Hybrid trim.
How’s the tech? The Sonata is loaded with tech and everything works pretty well. It leads the class for standard infotainment screen size and responsiveness. Smartphone pairing, which works wirelessly for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is quick and easy. The screen is also great when using the available surround-view camera system while parking. The voice controls work well with natural speech commands for radio, navigation and phone.
The Sonata's collection of advanced driver aids is comprehensive, and the aids work well in concert. The warning sensors can be sensitive but never annoying. The instrument panel features unique sideview cameras when merging into the left or right lane.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? There's a good amount of storage in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (which is what we tested). It's easy to load things into the cargo area. The trunk is deep and broad and has a wide opening, and the hybrid battery doesn't intrude too much. Having rear-seat access levers in the cargo area is a plus.
Inside, there's plenty of storage areas to keep small items. The center console area alone has plenty of spaces for multiple phones, electronic passes and other items. The console itself is about 5.5 inches deep, and the cupholders are sizable enough for larger cups and bottles. As for installing child safety seats, there's plenty of room in the rear for even a rear-facing seat. The lower car seat anchors are somewhat buried in the upholstery, so installation can be a little tedious.
How’s the fuel economy? The Sonata Hybrid SEL, our test car, has an EPA estimate of 47 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's right about what the other top-performing midsize hybrid sedans get. We reached just over 51 mpg in our test car during our mixed-driving evaluation route, which is even more impressive because most of our test cars slightly underperform compared to their EPA numbers.
Value
8.5/10
Is the Sonata a good value? The Sonata delivers on Hyundai's strong value proposition, giving you a lot of features for your money. Warranty coverage is also fantastic — Hyundai provides a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-year powertrain warranty.
The interior and exterior build quality looks pretty good too. The assembly is precise, though Honda and Toyota manage to do interiors a bit nicer. The dominant gray interior texturing and the chintzy tan plastic used as a dashboard treatment cheapen the look and feel of the Sonata's interior significantly.
Wildcard
7.5/10
The Sonata used to lead the midsize sedan class for style, but Honda and Toyota have recently built hybrids that are more enjoyable to drive. The Sonata maintains its comfort and tech-forward nature but loses out to the competition that have clearly moved the ball forward. It's still a solid option but no longer the pick of the litter when it comes to fun and enjoyment in this class.
Which Sonata does Edmunds recommend?
We think the Sonata SEL offers the best blend of features and value. It's also available with the base engine or a hybrid powertrain. The SEL Hybrid costs a little more, but its superior fuel economy should help you recoup the extra upfront costs after just a few years of ownership.
Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord vs. Hyundai Sonata: Midsize Hybrid Sedans Comparison Test
NOTE: This video is about the 2024 Hyundai Sonata, but since the 2025 Hyundai Sonata is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
The midsize sedan segment just got a shakeup: The redesigned Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have gone hybrid-only, and there’s a heavily refreshed Hyundai Sonata hoping to stand its ground. In this video, Edmunds’ Clint Simone puts all three head-to-head-to-head in our Midsize Hybrid Sedans comparison test!
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
Poor
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Sonata both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sonata has 15.6 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
What's new in the 2025 Hyundai Sonata?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Hyundai Sonata:
Base SE trim reintroduced for 2025
Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020
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 average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Hyundai Sonata a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Sonata and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Sonata is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Hyundai Sonata?
The least-expensive 2025 Hyundai Sonata is the 2025 Hyundai Sonata SEL Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $31,250.
Other versions include:
SEL Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $31,250
Limited Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $37,700
If you're interested in the Hyundai Sonata, the next question is, which Sonata model is right for you? Sonata variants include SEL Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A), and Limited Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A). For a full list of Sonata models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1200" height="588" fill="none" preserveAspectRatio="none"%3E%3Cmask id="b" width="1200" height="588" x="0" y="0" maskUnits="userSpaceOnUse" style="mask-type:alpha"%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23a)" d="M896 513c116 45.015 222 64 304 75V0H0v501c40 36.024 154 76 340 76s344-146.269 556-64Z"/%3E%3C/mask%3E%3Cg mask="url(%23b)"%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23c)" d="M896 513c116 45.015 222 64 304 75V0H0v501c40 36.024 154 76 340 76s344-146.269 556-64Z"/%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23d)" fill-opacity=".15" d="M581.718 62.893c42.993 1.53 86.281 5.888 129.704 13.204 311.828 52.485 552.538 242.016 657.698 483.656-149.97-147.971-450.891-226.33-789.375-232.079-338.534.839-640.434 74.572-792.746 220.292 108.75-240.047 352.255-425.97 664.832-473.803a1041.548 1041.548 0 0 1 129.887-11.27Z"/%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23e)" fill-opacity=".5" d="M611.247 209.93a1458.84 1458.84 0 0 1 139.573 27.692c333.61 83.239 577.16 267.208 668.67 475.188-148.93-138.63-468.279-241.218-835.209-290.421-367.6-43.915-702.265-24.445-881.281 72.561 140.567-178.524 422.355-295.817 766.181-293.074 47.867.484 95.274 3.212 142.066 8.054Z"/%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23f)" d="M735.039 879.394c48.524-6.62 97.023-16.967 145.3-31.2C1227.03 746.059 1475.76 472.327 1564.28 145c-151.17 209.633-482.23 344.436-865.05 388.31C315.515 568.571-35.93 504.564-227 330.342-73.333 632.61 226.169 849.617 586.429 878.604c50.15 3.871 99.74 4.07 148.61.79Z" opacity=".3"/%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23g)" d="M694.222 783.712c50.956 12 103.317 20.27 156.946 24.578 385.102 31.013 738.232-146.76 952.062-439.434-231.22 151.216-613.24 158.795-1012.047 55.796C394.784 312.716 68.643 114.101-55.211-133c37.44 360.528 253.087 691.895 601.449 858.946 48.557 23.091 97.963 42.302 147.984 57.766Z" opacity=".9"/%3E%3Cpath fill="url(%23h)" fill-opacity=".5" d="M896 513c116 45.015 222 64 304 75V0H0v501c40 36.024 154 76 340 76s344-146.269 556-64Z"/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cdefs%3E%3ClinearGradient id="a" x1="1005" x2="989.087" y1="23" y2="552.522" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop stop-color="%23007EE5"/%3E%3Cstop offset=".333" stop-color="%231561D4"/%3E%3Cstop offset="1" stop-color="%230A4AAB"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="c" x1="1005" x2="989.087" y1="23" y2="552.522" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop stop-color="%23007EE5"/%3E%3Cstop offset=".334" stop-color="%231561D4"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="d" x1="675.999" x2="879.999" y1="648.999" y2="120.999" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop stop-color="%23fff"/%3E%3Cstop offset="1" stop-color="%23fff" stop-opacity="0"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="e" x1="656.5" x2="637.602" y1="213" y2="622.259" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop offset=".115" stop-color="%23fff" stop-opacity="0"/%3E%3Cstop offset=".944" stop-color="%23017D8D"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="f" x1="398" x2="737" y1="599" y2="387" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop stop-color="%2300ABB5"/%3E%3Cstop offset="1" stop-color="%2300A0B5" stop-opacity="0"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="g" x1="1051.5" x2="271" y1="567" y2="575" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop stop-color="%230098C2"/%3E%3Cstop offset="1" stop-color="%23033E96" stop-opacity="0"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id="h" x1="1005" x2="986.038" y1="23" y2="587.43" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"%3E%3Cstop offset=".813" stop-opacity="0"/%3E%3Cstop offset=".972"/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E)
