The 2022 Sonata has the aura of a more expensive vehicle. It's stylish and it overdelivers in key areas, including its great-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system display, cool parking camera system and long warranty coverage. But in other areas, the Sonata merely matches what you'd expect from a midsize sedan, and it falters slightly when it comes to ride quality and seat comfort.
Panoramic sunroof, upgraded audio system and nav now standard on SEL Plus trim
Part of the seventh Sonata generation introduced for 2020
What is the Sonata?
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize family sedan that underwent a full redesign for the 2020 model year. It's offered in five distinct trim levels with three engine variants. The entry-level models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the midgrade trims get a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. The top N Line model ups the ante with a 290-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
The Sonata leads the class in terms of value, with a lot of features for the money, a spacious trunk and a very generous warranty. Unfortunately, it's held back by an overly firm ride and could-be-comfier seats, and the interior materials aren't as nice as those in some other sedans in the class. As a result, the current Sonata sits in fifth place in the midsize sedan class, outpaced by the related Kia K5, the
There is no official information on the changes for 2022 yet, but Hyundai's history of continual improvement suggests that we might see some upgrades.
Edmunds says
As is the case with most vehicles from Hyundai, the Sonata is a value leader, but it's outpaced by a handful of competitors so we suggest checking out the field. If you're in the market for a current Sonata, you may want to wait until we know what's changing for 2022.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/21 (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.71 per gallon for regular unleaded in Texas.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Sonata from 2008-2022.
$406/yr
vs. $415/yr for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
1.04x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr for Average Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
9.2%
vs. 10.2% for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Got the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Limited. This car is loaded with technology. All the bells and whistles. Like driving a Lexus with all the options at a much lower cost. Beautiful styling inside and out. Drives great!
Unique styling with great feature set and tech
5 out of 5 stars
Mirage_1, 09/25/2022
2022 Hyundai Sonata SEL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
Purchased a 2022 Sonata SEL. The styling can be polarizing but I think it has a great look from most angles. The SEL is the sweet spot in the Sonata line. You get the unique daytime running lights, auto air, power driver's seat, heated seats and the full Hyundai safety suite including radar cruise. It rides well, is quiet and has plenty of power with the NA engine. (fuel economy is also … good at 27/37 mpg EPA). You even get a real spare tire! Highly recommended.
If your plan on purchasing this vehicle do so quickly as the 2023 SEL sticker is increasing by $1225! The only change I can see is an upgrade from the 8" MMI to the 10.25 ".
Most Sonatas are currently built in Korea, the Kia K5 is built in the USA.
2021 Sonata N Line. I didn't want to like it..
5 out of 5 stars
Mark B., 04/18/2021
2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
When it comes to a daily driver, I have several parameters. I won't spend over 40G. I won't lease. And at 6ft 2 with nerve damaged legs from my battle with cancer, legroom and seat comfort are paramount. Comfort is also an extremely subjective category. What works for you might not work for me, and vice versa. Accord Sport/Touring seats don't work for me. Camry in TRD trim is too "Fast & … Furious" for me. Altima has a CVT trans and horribly uncomfortable driver's seat for me.
I was considering a K5 GT but none to be found locally. Figured I'd drive a Sonata N Line to get a feel for the package and scratch it off my list. I was not a huge fan of the 2020 exterior redesign although it slowly grew on me. And it does look better in N Line trim. I had a few cars on my list to spend a few days looking at and driving. The N Line was the closest so I started there. Sat in it for a bit and the driver's seat worked for me.
Salesman threw a tag on it and told me to go have fun. Within a mile I was impressed. Twenty minutes later when I returned, I told the salesman to make me an offer I couldn't refuse. I drive it home 90 minutes later. The ride is firm but not harsh. It's definitely quieter than the previous generation Sonata. Handles great. Faster than a Hyundai should be allowed to be. The dual clutch transmission is fantastic. I've owned two dozen or so cars over the years, several German. I've never been approached about any of them the way I've been with this car. Seven weeks with it as I write this and I've been approached by strangers nearly two dozen times. Some knowing what the N Line is. Some asking if it's a Genesis or an Audi. Some genuinely not knowing what it could be.
Gripes? Wish it had memory settings for the driver's seat. Wish it had ventilated seats although so far I really don't miss them. The light sensor for the auto headlights is beyond sensitive. I can barely clear going under an average overpass at highway speeds without the lights coming on in barely two seconds. Honestly, that's it. I don't regret my decision and I look forward to driving it every day.
UPDATE 4/23/2022
Just over 20,000 miles in. Thermostat was replaced back in January. It was stuck open so wasn't really getting much heat. Other than that, routine oil changes, engine and cabin air filters, and replaced the tires only due to personal preference. I wasn't a fan of the Pirellis. A couple of 500 mile days with road trips. Still get asked what kind of car it it frequently. Fit and finish still like new.
4/25/2024 UPDATE. Three years and 48,000 miles at the moment. Nothing but routine maintenance. Still tight as a drum. No creaks/rattles. Recently drove nearly 1000 miles in a day moving cross country with my cat and dog. Stellar road trip vehicle.
Bought an N-Line a month ago - Great car
5 out of 5 stars
Bob from Georgia, 05/20/2021
2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I research my cars for a year or so before buying, and was particularly interested in the Sonata N-Line and the KIA K5 GT, both built on the same platform and mechanically identical. The KIA GT has a lower MSRP but all the cars I found for sale came with the $4000 GT1 package, which jumps the MSRP up over $35K compared to 33K for the Sonata N-Line that includes all the GT1 features in … the MSRP. Those 12 BOSE speakers are very nice!
The question: Is this a family sedan or a muscle car? My answer is that it's family sedan with teeth. The first impression of the car, riding high on the 19-inch tires, is that it's big. My previous car was a 2017 Sonata Eco, and when I told my wife that the N-Line was identical in length and width, she said, "No way, this is a much bigger car." It was only when she saw that it fit into the same space in the garage as my 2017 that she believed the dimensions were the same.
I've owned some muscle cars in the past and most of them made you drive them hard. They just weren't that smooth at low speeds. The N-Line is not that way at all. Drive it with a light touch and you'll get 28 MPG combined and it's just as smooth and elegant as can be.
But when you want the power, it's there. This car won't ever be described as tossable but you can take it into a curve fast and it will hold the line. I frankly don't plan to try to beat others off the line all that often, as the car burns rubber easily and I plan to hold onto to those expensive 19-inchers for a while. But the temptation can be hard to resist. Yesterday a guy with a tricked-out Mercedes came up beside me at a light and started gunning his engine. I didn't bother switching to Sport mode and started off the line lightly to avoid burning rubber. He got out a little ahead but I blew him away easily. Get the N Line up to 1650 RPM gently and then step on it and it will fly. The Mercedes chased me around for awhile trying to do it again and I just ignored him. Guess he just couldn't believe his hot car was clobbered by a Hyundai.
But where the N-Line is particular impressive is in mid-range acceleration. Its goes from 60 to 100 so quickly, quietly and smoothly that you almost don't believe it's that fast. I really like the sleeper aspect of the car. I like to use the power just occasionally, like when you're cruising down an on-ramp to the interstate with a nice fat space waiting for you, and some jerk decides to speed up and cut you off. Or when someone is doing 55 in the fast lane in a 70 MPH zone and you need to go around. Or just pulling out and passing on a one-lane highway. The N-Line gets the job done easily and smoothly.
Look at the cars with equivalent horsepower, DCT, brakes, suspension, safety features and amenities, and you'll find most of them run $20 to $30 K more. If you need baby-butt leather and wood paneling, you'll have to buy the more expensive car. The N line, despite nice seats and red stitching, looks like a Hyundai inside. But the exterior is beautiful and the features are awesome. It's the right car for someone like me who wants the power and comfort but doesn't believe in paying $20K for the hood ornament.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonata since its last redesign.