GREEN CHOICE

Hyundai Sonata

Name: 2012 Hyundai Sonata
Brand: Hyundai

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

This version of the Sonata ranked among our top-rated family sedans. The ride is supple, yet composed. Handling is agile and responsive. The Sonata's swoopy, coupe-like styling comes with tolerable rear-seat room and visibility. The revised four-cylinder engine racked up impressive fuel economy of 27 mpg overall. On the other hand, complaints include noticeable road noise and inhibited rear-seat access due to the low roof line.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Hyundai Sonata

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Marginal

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Midsized cars Ratings

2012 Hyundai Sonata

$4,550 - $5,750

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

$4,025 - $4,800

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2012 Chrysler 200

$3,825 - $5,150

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Dodge Avenger

$4,025 - $4,550

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Fusion

$5,100 - $6,025

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Accord

$7,075 - $8,200

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Genesis

$5,975 - $6,925

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

$4,550 - $5,750

EPA MPG NA

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2012 Kia Optima

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EPA MPG 28 mpg

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2012 Nissan Altima

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EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2012 Subaru Legacy

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EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2012 Suzuki Kizashi

$2,900 - $4,725

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2012 Toyota Camry

$6,900 - $8,150

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

$6,900 - $8,150

EPA MPG 39 mpg

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2012 Volkswagen CC

$4,375 - $5,150

EPA MPG NA

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See All Midsized cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 turbo (274 hp)
2.4-liter 4 hybrid (206 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (200 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (198 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 2020 Sonata has a sleek, coupe-like silhouette. The standard 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is coupled to an eight-speed automatic provides unobtrusive, linear power, and 31 mpg overall. The uplevel 180-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine provides readily available power at lower revs. The hybrid version gets an excellent 44 mpg but delivers rough shifts from its six-speed transmission. New for 2021 is the Sonata N-Line, a high performance version. Handling is responsive, but the ride is rather stiff. Rear seat room is decent, although the low stance compromises access. The modern cabin is marred by a counterintuitive push-button gear selector. An 8-inch touch screen came standard until the 2024 model year and is easy to use. A larger 12.3-inch screen became standard beginning with 2024. Heated and cooled front seats are optional, among other upscale features. Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assistance.

2015-2019

2015 Redesign Year

The 2015 Sonata models may be less stylish than the previous generation but it remains a roomy, comfortable riding sedan with easy to use controls. The rear seat is particularly generous. Handling isn't particularly engaging, but secure. Most versions have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic that make for an unobtrusive powertrain. We got 28 mpg overall. High end versions get a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo that makes the car quicker and quieter. The hybrid version has the same virtues, but with the added initial boost of the electric drive. Unlike other hybrids, it has a conventional automatic transmission rather than a continuously variable one, giving the car a more natural feel. We got an impressive 39 mpg with it.

2011-2014

2011 Redesign Year

The 2011 to 2014 generation was a major leap forward in terms of style and capability. The base four-cylinder supplies reasonable acceleration and returned 27 mpg overall in our testing. We also tested the more powerful 2.0-liter turbo that gives the car more oomph and got 25 mpg overall. Controls are easy to use. Handling is fairly nimble, but the ride is rather firm. Road noise is evident in all versions, which makes the car feel less substantial. We suggest finding a Sonata with the optional power driver's seat; otherwise the seat might be too low and lack some adjustments. The swoopy styling made for challenging rear visibility and rear-seat access.

2006-2010

2006 Redesign Year

Although stability control and side curtain airbags became standard for the 2006 Sonata, don't expect this generation to provide the same level of crash protection as the more recent Sonata models. The four-cylinder engine averaged 26 mpg, which was very good for that vintage. High-end versions came with a 3.3-liter V6, which was quieter and made the car smoother and quicker, but averaged only 21 mpg. Handling was rather ponderous, but ultimately secure. The ride seems absorbent at first, but broken pavement punches through in a pronounced way. The seats aren't very supportive, but the rear is roomy and visibility is unrestricted. Controls are easy to use.

1999-2005

1999 Redesign Year

The Sonata grew larger and benefited from a much-improved interior design. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine got more power, and a 3.0-liter V6 was optional. The Sonata was redesigned 1999, gaining a more refined V6 and a quieter interior. It has a decent ride and secure, if not very nimble, handling. 2002 brought a facelift and a larger V6.