Hyundai Sonata

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.

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.