2026 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata doesn’t have the sales numbers of the big guys in this class, but it’s an appealing choice in midsize sedans. For starters, its sleek design makes it look not quite like anything else in this class. Its beauty is more than skin-deep. Inside is a comfortable and high-tech cabin, and the Sonata boasts top-notch safety ratings and the best warranty coverage in its class. Further compounding its practicality, this sedan is available with all-wheel drive (AWD), and there’s even a turbo engine option, making it more exciting to drive. There’s also a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that gets up to 51 mpg, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize cars, including the Hyundai Sonata.

Hyundai simplified the 2026 Sonata’s trim lineup. The old SEL and SEL Convenience trims are gone and replaced with the SEL Sport trim with desirable features like 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and available all-wheel drive.

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata starts at $28,545 for the base SE trim, $30,245 for the new SEL Sport model, and $37,145 for the turbocharged N Line trim. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option on SEL Sport.

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata is priced at the lower end of midsize sedans. It’s close to the mechanically similar Kia K5, while the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are a little pricier.

Before buying a Sonata, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Hyundai Sonata resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata is powered by a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), or optional all-wheel drive in the case of the SEL Sport trim. This side of the Sonata is more about comfort and fuel economy than precision and speed, which we can get behind without a qualm. Overall, it’s an agreeable experience.

Drivers who want more muscle to call on occasionally, the N Line has a turbocharged engine, which puts out a hearty 290 hp through a wet dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission, a tweaked suspension, and 19-inch wheels. A sports sedan in this class from a mainstream brand is increasingly rare, so the Sonata N Line brings some welcome adrenaline to this practical segment.

In addition to the turbo engine, the N Line trim is the only variant of the non-hybrid Sonata that comes with Highway Driving Assist. It doesn’t allow hands-free driving, but it is one of our favorite semi-autonomous highway driving systems. It keeps the Sonata a safe distance from the car in front of you and centered in your lane while feeling very natural.

Fuel Economy

The Hyundai Sonata’s base engine returns up to 28 city/38 highway/32 combined mpg with front-wheel drive and 25 city/34 highway/28 combined mpg with all-wheel drive. These efficiency ratings are about the same as those of the Kia K5 and the non-hybrid Honda Accord.

It’s worth mentioning that the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid nets up to 47 city/56 highway/51 combined mpg, which is about the same as the Camry and a little better than the Accord Hybrid.

We’ve been impressed with the technology of Hyundai models in recent years, and the Sonata is no exception. Dual 12.3-inch displays span the dash; one is a digital gauge cluster, and the other is the central infotainment display. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the board.

The front seats are all-day comfortable, and the top N Line trim gets unique, sporty seats with H-Tex and microfiber upholstery. Other niceties that come with the N Line model include rear seat vents, a sunroof, and Bose audio.

The rear seat space is below average at 34.8 inches, but it’s certainly roomy enough for kids. If you’ll regularly have adults in the back seats, they’ll appreciate the extra space in the Camry or Accord. We noticed the trunk has a nice, wide opening that makes it easy to load and unload. It measures 16 cubic feet, which is more trunk space than the Camry but less than the Accord.

With its refresh in 2024, the Sonata adopted what Hyundai calls the Seamless Horizon Lamp, which spans across the front end and is echoed by a bar of red across the tail. It makes this midsize sedan look stylish and high-tech without sacrificing its value and practicality.

Panoramic curved display
This feature houses a digital gauge cluster and an infotainment screen in one sleek display giving the Sonata’s cockpit a high-tech and driver-centric theme.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard on every 2026 Sonata. This makes it effortless to bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in the car without taking your phone out of your purse or pocket.

N Line model
Want a sedan that’s practical and affordable but also fun to drive? The Sonata N Line strikes this balance nicely thanks to a 290-hp turbo engine, plus a sporty appearance package to match.

Highway Driving Assist
This semi-autonomous driving system uses features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring to make highway driving safer and more relaxed. It only comes in the N Line trim.

Available AWD
Although it’s limited to just the SEL Sport trim, we appreciate that all-wheel drive is optional in the Sonata, adding confident all-weather traction to this practical sedan.

Hyundai Digital Key 2.0
This feature enables access for multiple drivers, using a phone app or a key card. It’s standard in the N Line trim.

The two lower trims of the non-hybrid Hyundai Sonata are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that routes power to either the front or all four wheels.

The sportier Sonata N Line is powered by a gutsy turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

There are no better warranties in the mainstream milieu than those offered by Hyundai. The new-car warranty is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Sonata currently holds the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Granted, so do the Camry and Accord, but it’s still an impressive award. The Sonata also took the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).