The 2024 Hyundai Sonata: A Comprehensive Review
Pros:
- Bold styling
- Efficient hybrid option
- Powerful N Line model
- Available all-wheel drive
- Spacious interior
- Affordable base price
Cons:
- The N Line isn’t as sporty as expected
- The base engine is somewhat underwhelming
The future of family sedans is looking sparse, but the models that remain offer significant value, with the 2024 Hyundai Sonata leading the charge. Positioned as one of the most affordable midsize sedans under $30,000, the Sonata presents an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers without compromising on quality.
One of its standout features is its futuristic and bold design, thanks to the 2024 refresh. Beyond aesthetics, the Sonata boasts a roomy interior equipped with user-friendly technology. Its hybrid variant is particularly efficient, and the N Line model offers impressive power with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating nearly 300 horsepower.
While competitors like the 2025 Toyota Camry and Honda Accord may promise a more refined drive, they often lack the variety of options and bold styling that the Sonata offers. If you’re in the market for a family sedan, the Sonata deserves your consideration.
What’s New for 2024?
The 2024 Sonata has received a significant facelift, with redesigned front and rear ends. The front now features a full-width daytime running light bar alongside a lowered nose. Inside, the design borrows elements from Hyundai’s Ioniq series, including two expansive 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. Additionally, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now come as standard.
Hyundai has also refined its powertrain options. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has been discontinued, leaving buyers with the choice of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter hybrid, or the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the N Line model. Notably, all-wheel drive is now an option.
Interior and Technology
The revamped interior of the 2024 Sonata ushers in modernity and sophistication. The squared-off dashboard now integrates a monolithic unit housing two 12.3-inch displays for instruments and infotainment. The base model, however, comes with the same infotainment touchscreen and digital instruments flanking a 4.2-inch information screen. The design restructures include an Ioniq-style steering wheel and a column-mounted shifter, replacing the previously curvaceous dashboard designs.
Technological enhancements ensure a user-friendly experience, including a 12-inch color head-up display on the Limited Hybrid trim, Hyundai’s Digital Key 2, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Notably, the climate and infotainment controls have been streamlined for ease of use, incorporating both touch-sensitive and physical buttons.
N Line buyers can savor the sportier ambiance with aggressively bolstered seats, a sport steering wheel, and distinctive red stitches accentuating the air vents and stitching.
Passenger & Cargo Space
Despite its sleek exterior, the Sonata offers generous interior space. The rear seat legroom may not match the Honda Accord’s, but it remains adequate even for taller passengers. You can comfortably fit a rear-facing child seat without needing to adjust the front seats forward. Headroom is also notably sufficient, outperforming both the Accord and Camry in real-world scenarios.
As for cargo space, the trunk volume stands at 15.6 cubic feet, placing it mid-range within the segment. Our luggage tests revealed that this translates into substantial usable space, with only the Accord surpassing it in terms of luggage capacity.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The Sonata’s offerings under the hood aim to cater to a broad audience:
- 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder: Available on the SEL trim, it delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive; with all-wheel drive, it drops slightly to 25/34/28.
- 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (N Line): Produces 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dual wet-clutch automated manual featuring rev-matching and launch control. This engine achieves 23/32/27 mpg.
- 2.0-liter hybrid: Combines a 150-hp engine with a 39-kW electric motor, producing a combined 192 horsepower. Fuel economy stands at 44 mpg city, 51 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined for the SEL and Limited trims.
Driving Experience
Having tested the Hybrid and N Line variants, the Sonata impresses with its balanced driving dynamics. The Hybrid, previously synonymous with dull performance, now offers an engaging drive and a conventional transmission that feels closer to a traditional gasoline engine, unlike some competitors.
In contrast, the N Line’s 290 horsepower provides exhilarating acceleration, especially at lower speeds. However, the dual-clutch transmission can be somewhat clunky at low speeds and requires manual intervention for truly spirited driving. Though it’s not a full N model, the N Line delivers a sportier feel with better responsiveness and more substantial handling than the standard models.
Pricing and Features
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata offers excellent value across its trims:
- SEL: $28,650
- SEL Hybrid: $31,950
- N-Line: $36,100
- Limited Hybrid: $38,350
Standard features on the base SEL model include LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, power heated side mirrors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additionally, the SEL’s Convenience Package, priced at $3,050, adds more luxury and tech features such as a panoramic sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Hyundai Digital Key 2.
The N Line stands out with sporty design elements, enhanced performance features, and numerous convenience offerings, ensuring a well-rounded driving experience.
Safety Ratings and Features
The 2024 Sonata comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including:
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot warning
- Lane keep assist with lane centering
- Rear occupant alert
- Adaptive cruise control
These features are implemented thoughtfully to prevent unnecessary driver distraction. The Sonata has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, though it fell short in the moderate front overlap test with a rating of "Poor." The NHTSA ratings stand at four out of five stars for frontal tests and five stars for rollover safety.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
