2023 Hyundai Sonata Review

Admiring the 2023 Sonata or Sonata Hybrid from the curb, you may think you are looking at a luxury car. Sonatas always look more expensive than they are, according to many auto reviewers. Car Connection praises it for svelte, upscale styling inside and considerable flair outside.

There’s no bargain basement here, despite the pricing. Instead the trims take you from a premium feel to a luxury one. At every level, you’ll notice a combination of quality materials, soft touches, and clean elegant lines. This sedan seems crafted with a luxury manufacturer’s level of fit and finish.

The feeling of luxury continues when this family sedan is on the road. Hyundai blocks noise and vibrations by using targeted insulation throughout the ceiling, body, floor, engine compartment and trunk. To add to its luxury vibe, the Limited is packed with even more sound-deadening materials.

As for spaciousness, that’s what the Sonata is really all about. It’s quite big for its midsize sedan class. To be specific, there’s 104.4 cubic feet of wiggle room. That’s about 4 cubic feet more than the Toyota Camry (100.4 cu ft) or the Nissan Altima (100.8 cu ft).

When you choose a new sedan, you are expecting high tech toys. This sedan does not disappoint. The sizable touchscreen offers the latest connectivity tools including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The most advanced touchscreen system has natural voice recognition that actually learns how you make requests. Then using AI, it gets smarter and better at recognizing what you need.

HD Radio, heated side mirrors, and a remote trunk release are among the Sonata standards that you won’t find on the more expensive base edition of the Honda Accord.

In fact, the Hyundai suite of driver assistance is quite extensive. This includes the emergency autobrake, forward collision warning, lane assistance, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Sonata SE models are powered by a 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Standard Hyundai horsepower and torque rates are higher than the standard Nissan Altima and the standard Subaru Legacy.

Sportier on the outside, the SEL trims wear side rocker panels and bigger wheels. Drivers gain more access via the hands-free trunk opener and the Proximity Key. Plus their cockpit adds a power-adjustable chair and push button start.

Dual-zone automatic controls regulate the air conditioning to take the edge off of summer. While we may not need them often, it’s nice to have the SEL’s heated seats.

Dash tech includes Hyundai Blue Link services. There’s more driver assistance to help eliminate blind spot dangers.

Building on the SEL, this Sonata package has a panoramic sunroof that gives this cabin an incredible feeling of openness. The cockpit is more richly furnished with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a digital instrument panel.

An auto-dimming rearview mirror keeps the light out of your eyes. In addition, second-row passengers will appreciate dedicated AC vents just as you would have in a luxury car.

Drivers will make regular use of the wireless charger. This is especially good to have since this package adds the Hyundai Digital Key. With this technology, a smartphone app can take the place of your key and do everything it could do. From push button start to locking up as you leave, this app is a modern perk that isn’t available on many rivals.

With the convenience package as standard, the SEL Plus is already big on value. However, it goes even further with a combination upholstery made of a microsuede and supple leatherette. SEL Plus boasts an excellent Bose audio system, providing listeners with concert-like sound.

This model adds the exciting Hyundai turbo. This clever four-cylinder uses turbo technology to crank out a much higher rate of torque. That torque is what gets this sedan moving even faster off the starting line. This engine is also standard on the Limited trim.

You can go for luxury on a budget with the high-class 2023 Sonata Limited. The elegance begins with richly styled leather seats. Both front seats are power chairs to keep you more comfortable. Even better, these are power ventilated to help you beat the heat.

Ambient lighting and a head up display are valuable standards. The exclusive Hyundai blind spot monitor broadcasts live images to the digital instrument screen. Plus Sonata Limited drivers will find it safer in parking lots with a reverse emergency autobrake.

Another high-value standard on this luxurious trim level, Smart Parking Assist works truly autonomously. Drivers use their Proximity Key and stand outside the vehicle while Smart Parking Assist parks the car.

The N-Line model wears a combination of leather and suede on its sport seats. The overall package is much like the SEL Plus. Naturally this sporty model takes full advantage of its digital instrument panel.

For a different look, N Line shoppers can choose the Night edition. This comes dressed in matte black alloy wheels with a splash for red from painted brake calipers. Carbon fiber features include the wheel caps and the aerodynamic trunk spoiler.

With either the N-Line or N-Line Night, the engine is a smart 290-horsepower turbo. Handling is more refined thanks to the sport-tuned suspension and sharply tuned steering. This speed demon still manages to earn 33 mpg on the highway. Why not schedule a test drive at a convenient time for your schedule?

Building on the regular SE, the Hybrid Blue has many features of the SEL as well. The driver enjoys the use of a Proximity Key and the assistance of a blind spot monitor. Both front seat occupants can utilize the automated dual zone temperature system.

By the way, you don’t lose any space when you choose the Sonata Hybrid. It has the same extra large cabin and 16-cu ft trunk.

For the powertrain, Hyundai utilizes a four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a hybrid battery pack. Drivers command 192 horsepower and enjoy more pickup than the regular Sonata. In fact, many reviewers like the Sonata Hybrid best of the two.

Blue models earn the best gas mileage: 50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway. This is more than the Honda Accord Hybrid which earns 47 city/48 highway. The other Sonata Hybrid models earn a very respectable 45 mpg city and 51 mpg highway.

Packed with value, the Hybrid SEL is more similar to the SEL Plus. It has dual power-adjustable chairs and many extra tech toys. These include the Digital Key, wireless charger, and exciting 12-speaker audio system by Bose.

The 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited has all of the qualities of the Limited and then some! This luxury ride without the luxury price has power-ventilated seats and ambient lighting. Cabins are inviting with quilted leather upholstery and a soft leatherette-clad dashboard.

This high tech choice includes dual dash displays, including the largest touch screen and the big digital instrument screen. Hybrid Limited drivers benefit from top driver assistance, too. This includes high value items such as the blind spot camera, the 360-degree surround camera system, and highway driving assist.

Perhaps the most unique aspect is its solar roof. Perfect for our sunny days in Phoenix AZ, this feature actually powers the accessories’ battery. That way the electric powertrain can be used strictly for horsepower and torque.

Rated at 16 cubic feet, the trunk is a good size for this class. That’s bigger than the Nissan Altima trunk (15.4 cu ft) and the Toyota Camry trunk (15.1 cu ft).

Plus the Sonata’s trunk has a smart squared off shape that allows for greater organization. Reviewer Edmunds confirms that it has a reasonable liftover height and a large trunk opening.

Of course, the keyfob has a button that opens the trunk for you. In addition, SEL models have a hands-free trunk feature.

A split-fold rear seat adds flexibility including a pass-through for long items. Owners can fold sections easily with helpful, easy to reach switches.

Ownership costs are low. This is due in part to the longest coverage in the automotive industry, with a 5-year limited warranty (60,000 miles), a 10-year powertrain warranty (100,000 miles), and three years of scheduled maintenance. Our financing department offers competitive loan rates. You can get pre-approved online for a loan.

Good fuel efficiency plays a role. Regular Sonatas earn 31 or 32 combined fuel economy with highway rates as high as 38 mpg. Even better, the hybrids earn 52 or 47 mpg in combined driving.

That value packaging and high quality look guarantees from day one that shoppers are getting their money’s worth. Even better, JD Power reports that resale values will be “great”, indicating a return on your investment when you decide it’s time to trade.

These sedans have accumulated a number of awards over the years. Most recently, the 2022 Sonata Hybrid rated #1 at US News among Hybrid Cars. The 2022 Hyundai Sonata ranked in the top two of all midsize cars.

Likewise, these handsome rides were named to the Editors’ Choice list at Car and Driver. Extensive safety and driver assistance helped both Sonatas earn good safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Furthermore, the Sonata Limited and Sonata Hybrid Limited earned the Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2023 Hyundai Sonata and 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid are two of the best values today. Check out your choices and be in touch to test drive.