The Sonata is Hyundai's long-running midsize sedan. It's spacious, loaded with the latest tech, offers numerous powertrain options (including a hybrid, which we review separately), and is well priced to boot. It has weaknesses, of course — it's slower than other family four-doors when equipped with the standard engine, and it takes a while to get used to the touch controls — but beyond that, the Sonata is a very well-rounded sedan. We don't expect any major changes for 2026.
Edmunds spotlight: A new Sonata for 2027?
While the 2026 Sonata will likely be the same as last year's model, this generation's age suggests a new Sonata might debut for 2027. The current Sonata has been on sale since 2020, and vehicles are typically redesigned every six to seven years. It's hard to predict what it will look like — Hyundai's current design philosophy is to make each model bold and distinct from others in the automaker's lineup — but we expect a new Sonata to bring expressive styling to this traditionally conservative segment. Hyundai is also all in on hybrids. Could it follow in the footsteps of Toyota, which relaunched the Camry as a hybrid-only sedan? We can't wait to find out.
Competitors to consider
The Sonata's biggest rivals are easily the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Accord has lost a little bit of its presence with its newest generation in terms of design, but it's more fun to drive and offers physical controls while others are increasingly relying on touchscreens. The Camry also offers easy-to-use physical controls inside, and the all-hybrid lineup means every Camry offers exceptional fuel economy.