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2007 Hyundai Sonata

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Overview

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2007 Hyundai Sonata Review

By KBB.com Editors

Hyundai is quickly becoming a major player in the U.S. market, demonstrating an uncanny ability to produce high-quality products at bargain-basement prices. The latest example of the company's accelerated design evolution is the Sonata, a roomy and well-equipped sedan challenging the dominance of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (at least on paper) but costing thousands less. Built at Hyundai's factory in Alabama, the Sonata boasts an impressive list of standard safety equipment, helping it earn a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also carries one of the best powertrain warranties in the business.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're attracted to the idea of a feature-filled mid-size sedan that won't bust your budget, the Hyundai Sonata should be one of the cars on your list. Also worth noting is Hyundai's very real commitment to including a high level of standard safety equipment on every vehicle.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Sonata carries the unenviable burden of competing in the same category as the Accord and Camry, perennial industry benchmarks in quality. For anyone accustomed to that top-level refinement, the Sonata's higher level of equipment for the money might not be enough to tip the scales in its favor.

What's Significant About This Car?

A new SE trim is added to the Sonata lineup and features 17-inch wheels and a V6 engine. The four-cylinder GLS models receive a price reduction while the top-end Limited trim gets a new chrome grille and optional Infinity sound system. Both the four- and six-cylinder engines now qualify the Sonata as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle.

Driving the Sonata

Driving Impressions The Hyundai Sonata drives like a small car. On the plus side, that means more nimble and confident handling. On the flip side, that means a ride less insulated from...

rough roads. Over smooth highways, our V6 Sonata GLS was comfortable and quiet, even with its low-profile tires. It also delivered brisk acceleration—both off the line and in short-order passing situations—while the five-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly and responded quickly to manual commands. Overall, the new Sonata does many things well. But unlike some of its world-beating competitors, the new Sonata is merely equal to the sum of its parts.

Favorite Features

Automatic Air Quality System
When a sensor detects an excess of pollen or diesel fumes, for instance, the ventilation system automatically switches into the recirculate mode.

Aggressive Low-Profile Tires
The same tires you might expect to find on a sporty coupe help to make the V6 Sonata a worthy companion on meandering roads.

2007 Hyundai Sonata Details

Interior

Although the Sonata competes in the mid-size sedan category, the EPA actually groups it in the "Large Car" category due to its interior space. Even though it barely makes the Large Car cutoff, the Sonata treats front and rear passengers to a cabin that is spacious and comfortable, although some might find the front seat bottom lacking in thigh support due to its minimal up-angle adjustment. Its attractive environment also features nicer materials and cleaner designs than many might expect, with the exception of the center of the instrument panel. In spots where cheap plastic seems inevitable, Sonata's designers have done a fine job in minimizing its impact.

Exterior

The Hyundai Sonata features significantly more contemporary styling than previous generations, though some might argue the design is also somewhat generic. The SE trim's available features, like dual chrome exhaust outlets and 17-inch aluminum wheels equipped with aggressive Michelin Pilot tires, provide a little more character. Overall, we like the Sonata's new styling, even if it's squarely on the safe side, and don't see any single design feature likely to turn anybody away from the car.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

One of the Sonata's key selling points is its impressive equipment list, including an admirable array of standard safety features. The base Sonata features a sophisticated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system, cruise control, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, heated power side mirrors and leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel. The long list of standard safety equipment includes front, front-side and head-curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) and whiplash-reducing active front head restraints.

Optional Equipment

Available upgrades include a 234-horsepower V6, four-speed and five-speed automatic transmissions with manual gear select, leather seats, moonroof, Infinity AM/FM/6CD/MP3 sound system, alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, automatic headlamps, trip computer, fog lights, heated front seats, eight-way power driver's seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror and automatic temperature control. A Sport Premium package is offered on the four-cylinder GLS and includes 17-inch alloy wheels and fog lights.

Under the Hood

The base powertrain package in the 2006 Hyundai Sonata is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which complements the car's nimble handling better than the same engine in conjunction with the available four-speed automatic transmission. With dual overhead cams and continuously variable valve timing, this all-aluminum engine is good for 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque. The best partnership under the hood, however, is the sophisticated new 3.3-liter V6 and the responsive five-speed automatic transmission. With 234 horsepower, 226 pound-feet of torque and manually selectable gears, it isn't hard to coax the V6 Sonata into having a little fun.

2.4-liter in-line 4
162 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
164 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/34 (manual), 24/33 (automatic)

3.3-liter V6
234 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
226 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Hyundai Sonata vehicles for sale near you.

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2007 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 613 Ratings for the 2006 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

9.1/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

8.9/10

Best car I've ever owned, not a moment's trouble

By Frank (FL) on Sunday, June 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price was rught, can't beat the warranty"

Cons: "Wish I'd bought a 6, but 4 has plenty of power"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Only reason I'm even thinking about trading is I love the new design. Definitely, another Sonata for me!"

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great vehicle and new engine has 21,000 miles!

By Nena (CA) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 111,054

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "good price"

Cons: "still looks cheap and tacky"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I purchased this car two years old (I knew who the original owner was, she had decided to trade it in for a Santa Fe that same day) at a Hyundai dealership, so it didn't have the 10 year warranty, but at 90,000 two years later, the engine was making a knocking sound and they replaced the engine with a brand new Hyundai engine. Luckily it was two weeks before the used car warranty ended, so replacement only cost me about $400. but when it came out of the dealership, with the new engine the check air bags light was on. It didn't go into the repair with that, but they refused to take a look at it, in fact I never left the lot, when I went into the service office, they said it came into the garage like that, but that was not true. Anyway, I still wouldn't let a car with a new engine leave the lot like that, if I were in charge of service. The light is still on two years later, because I don't feel I should pay the $100 service charge just to look at the problem. I complained to Hyundai headquarters and they ignored me. So they missed being able to count on a good service review from me! so now the car has 111, 054 total, but only 21,000 on new engine. The car feels like it is floating, like it doesn't really hug the road, and it is a standard shift, which I dislike but Im told it makes the car last longer and better on gas. It also shudders a bit whenever I tap the brakes. So I tend to go lightly on the brakes. I have bought at least two new sets of tires since 2008, and I need to get brakes, probably. The seats are really ugly fluffy fabric and get dirty easily."

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great vehicle and new engine has 21,000 miles!

By Nena (CA) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 111,054

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "good price"

Cons: "still looks cheap and tacky"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I purchased this car two years old (I knew who the original owner was, she had decided to trade it in for a Santa Fe that same day) at a Hyundai dealership, so it didn't have the 10 year warranty, but at 90,000 two years later, the engine was making a knocking sound and they replaced the engine with a brand new Hyundai engine. Luckily it was two weeks before the used car warranty ended, so replacement only cost me about $400. but when it came out of the dealership, with the new engine the check air bags light was on. It didn't go into the repair with that, but they refused to take a look at it, in fact I never left the lot, when I went into the service office, they said it came into the garage like that, but that was not true. Anyway, I still wouldn't let a car with a new engine leave the lot like that, if I were in charge of service. The light is still on two years later, because I don't feel I should pay the $100 service charge just to look at the problem. I complained to Hyundai headquarters and they ignored me. So they missed being able to count on a good service review from me! so now the car has 111, 054 total, but only 21,000 on new engine. The car feels like it is floating, like it doesn't really hug the road, and it is a standard shift, which I now hate. It also shudders a bit whenever I tap the brakes. So I tend to go lightly on the brakes. I have bought at least two new sets of tires since 2008, and I need to get brakes, probably. The seats are really ugly fluffy fabric and get dirty easily."

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great vehicle and new engine has 21,000 miles!

By Nena (CA) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 111,054

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "good price"

Cons: "still looks cheap and tacky"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I purchased this car two years old (I knew who the original owner was, she had decided to trade it in for a Santa Fe that same day) at a Hyundai dealership, so it didn't have the 10 year warranty, but at 90,000 two years later, the engine was making a knocking sound and they replaced the engine with a brand new Hyundai engine. Luckily it was two weeks before the used car warranty ended, so replacement only cost me about $400. but when it came out of the dealership, with the new engine the check air bags light was on. It didn't go into the repair with that, but they refused to take a look at it, in fact I never left the lot, when I went into the service office, they said it came into the garage like that, but that was not true. Anyway, I still wouldn't let a car with a new engine leave the lot like that, if I were in charge of service. The light is still on two years later, because I don't feel I should pay the $100 service charge just to look at the problem. I complained to Hyundai headquarters and they ignored me. So they missed being able to count on a good service review from me! so now the car has 111, 054 total, but only 21,000 on new engine. The car feels like it is floating, like it doesn't really hug the road, and it is a standard shift, which I now hate. It also shudders a bit whenever I tap the brakes. So I tend to go lightly on the brakes. I have bought at least two new sets of tires since 2008, and I need to get brakes, probably. The seats are really ugly fluffy fabric and get dirty easily."

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Still pretty and running strong

By Bud (FL) on Friday, May 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 81,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Price, looks, performance, gas mileage,comfy ride"

Cons: "It isn't an American car"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Bought this car for a song Jan 1, 2010 with 60,000 miles on it. Now 3 1/2 years later the car has 81,000. The 21,000 miles driven have been 95% in town at 24.3 MPG average. On the road it gets 31 to 33 mpg depending on how much I load it down. The finish still looks new and very shiny, except for a few bug dings in the front. Florida has tough bugs! No mechanical repairs, the car rides better than a comparable Ford or Chevy, and is actually going UP in value. The four banger is more than sufficient and quiet. Tires have very little wear."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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most reliable car i've owned

By jrm (NJ) on Friday, May 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Unquestionably best bang for your dollar"

Cons: "suspension"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"It is breaking my heart to get rid of this car. I have never serviced this car except for oil changes (approx every 7500mi) Front brakes 2 times rear once 1 battery.1 transmission flush and a couple of sets of tires. Still has original spark plugs and runs like a champ. It is amazing how good this car is due to my lack of care. I bought 2012 sonata for my wife hope it is as good. The only negative is Hyundai noisy suspension on rough roads."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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