Editors' Page: 2013 Hyundai Sonata

Sonata is this year's 5-Year Cost to Own Award winner in the Midsize Car category.

The Hyundai Sonata remains a features-per-dollar standout, but it's more than a good value. Hyundai's midsize sedan also offers standout styling, good fuel economy and decent ride, handling and driving feel.

But Hyundai's biggest hit is now among the oldest cars in this very competitive class, making it a tougher sell than when it showed up in 2010 and set the segment on fire. But it's nearing the end of a hugely successful mission, no doubt contributing to the fact that Hyundai owners are now among the most loyal shoppers at KBB.com, trailing only Toyota, Lexus and Honda in percentage of new-car shoppers reconsidering their current vehicle brand for their next purchase.

Driving It

Smooth and responsive power delivery is a 2013 Hyundai Sonata highlight, as noted in our full review: "For how quickly and smoothly the 2013 Hyundai Sonata pulls away from a stop, you'd swear there was a V6 engine under its sleek hood. Instead, what resides there is a 2.4-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and delivering fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway."

Sonata Hybrid

In addition to 4-cylinder and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is available with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain. But it's the first hybrid vehicle Hyundai has offered in the U.S., and the system doesn't operate as seamlessly as those available in the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion.

2015 Redesign

The current-generation Hyundai Sonata first went on sale in 2010, and it looks like we'll see a redesigned model arrive in 2014 (probably in the second half of the year) as a 2015 model.

Kia Cousin

The Hyundai Sonata has a corporate cousin in the Kia Optima. The two cars share a platform and engines, but they look different inside and out, and the Kia is tuned to be a bit sportier.

Build and Price

Good looks and newfound popularity haven't gone to the Hyundai Sonata's head, as it remains a great value. The 2013 Hyundai Sonata starts at $21,790 and tops out in the low $30,000 neighborhood for a fully loaded hybrid or turbo model. And now that it's one of the oldest models in the segment, a Sonata can often be had for a few thousand dollars less than those sticker prices. Build and price a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and we'll give you the Fair Purchase Price, which reflects actual transaction prices before applicable incentives, adjusted for your area.

The Competition

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is one of 12 midsize sedans available today. Most of them are really good, so the trick is finding the one that offers the best combination of what's important to you.