The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size sedan that has been a mainstay in the Hyundai lineup since its introduction in 1985. It has evolved over the years to become one of the most reliable and popular sedans on the market. As a mid-size sedan, it offers a comfortable ride and practicality, making it a great choice for families and commuters.
In the Hyundai lineup, the Sonata sits between the subcompact Accent and the now discontinued full-size Azera. It is known for its affordability, reliability, and fuel efficiency, and is often compared to other mid-size sedans such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.
Over the years, the Sonata has undergone numerous redesigns and upgrades, which have improved its style, performance, and technology. Today, the Sonata offers a wide range of features, including advanced safety features, a variety of powertrains including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, and a modern design that includes a large touchscreen display and digital instrument cluster. It continues to be a top choice for drivers looking for a comfortable, reliable, and affordable mid-size sedan.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different generations of the Used Hyundai Sonatas and explore the changes, model years, and trim levels available in used Hyundai Sonata models in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
1991-1995 Used Hyundai Sonata (1st Generation) The first-generation Hyundai Sonata was introduced in 1985 and went on to have two facelifts in 1993 and 1994 for the U.S. market. The car featured a boxy design similar to American cars of the time and was available as a four-door sedan. The wheelbase of the first-generation Sonata was 98.4 inches and had a weight of about 2,522 pounds. It had a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6-liter inline-four engine that put out 113 horsepower, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Additional features included ABS, front airbags, fog lights, power mirrors, and available alloy wheels.
1996-2000 Used Hyundai Sonata (2nd Generation) The second-generation Hyundai Sonata was slightly bigger than the previous model, with a 100.4-inch wheelbase and an overall length between 174 and 175 inches for the sedan. It was available as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon. The exterior featured more rounded lines, while the interior debuted new dual airbags. The new engine for the U.S. market was the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 130 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter version was also added later. It had a slight facelift in 1999 to improve the overall design
2001-2006 Used Hyundai Sonata (3rd Generation) The third-generation Hyundai Sonata was even larger and roomier than the previous model, with a wheelbase of 102.8 inches. It was offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, with the standard trim being the GLS and the top trim being the GT. The GT trim added a performance suspension, leather seats, alloy wheels, fog lights, and a spoiler. The GT trim debuted in 2003 and was removed in 2005 to be replaced with the Limited trim. All versions of this generation featured standard front airbags, AC, power locks, and windows, as well as power steering. Hyundai refreshed the car in 2003, giving it a redesigned exterior, new lights, and a new dashboard. The engine for this generation was a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit that made 140 horsepower. Available transmissions still included a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.
2007-2010 Used Hyundai Sonata (4th Generation) The fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata continued to increase in size, with a 104.3-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 177.4 inches. The body style was only a four-door sedan for this generation. A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine came on all models, with a five-speed manual transmission standard and a four-speed automatic optional. The base model of this generation did not have AC as a standard feature, but it added side curtain airbags and all-wheel disc brakes with ABS. This generation had the most interior room of any vehicle in its class and was technically classified as a midsize sedan by the EPA. For the 2008 model year, Hyundai dropped the Limited trim, which left only the GLS and SE trims. The SE trim was the upgraded base with features like electronic stability control, sunroof, and leather seats as an option.
2011 – 2014 Used Hyundai Sonata (5th Generation) The fifth generation of the Hyundai Sonata was introduced in 2011 and featured a new exterior design with a larger body and a more spacious interior. The sedan was available in six trims: GLS, SE, Limited, SE 2.0T, Limited 2.0T, and Hybrid.
The GLS, SE, and Limited trims feature a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 198 horsepower, while the SE 2.0T and Limited 2.0T trims come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower. The Hybrid features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 206 horsepower.
All trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission, except for the SE and Limited 2.0T trims, which have a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
2015 – 2020 (LF 6th Generation) The sixth generation of the Hyundai Sonata was introduced in 2015 and received a facelift in 2018. The sedan was available in seven trims: SE, Eco, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0T, Limited 2.0T, and Plug-in Hybrid.
The SE, Eco, and Sport trims feature a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 185 horsepower, while the Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T trims come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower. The Plug-in Hybrid features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that delivers a combined 202 horsepower.
All trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission, except for the Eco trim, which has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The interior features an infotainment system with a touchscreen display, as well as a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning.
2021 – Present (CN7 7th Generation) The 2021 Hyundai Sonata marks the start of the car’s seventh generation. The latest model is a complete redesign of the Sonata, with a sleeker, sportier look and new features. The sedan is available in six trims: SE, SEL, Blue Hybrid, N-Line, Limited, and Limited Hybrid.
The SE and SEL trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Blue Hybrid features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 192 horsepower. The N-Line comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Limited Hybrid trims feature a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower.
All trims come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, except for the N-Line, which has an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic. The interior is spacious, with plenty of legroom and headroom, and features high-quality materials and modern technologies, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Used Hyundai Sonata models are available in the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts region at Hyundai of Newport. See their current inventory here.