A few years after its debut in South Korea, the Hyundai Sonata arrived in the United States in late 1988 as a 1989 model. Several generations later, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has a new design in five trims and a hybrid model. The expanding lineup helps further establish the carmaker solidly into the mainstream.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: Hyundai Sonata Eco, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and a seven-speed automatic.
- $23,275 MSRP and $28,310 as tested.
- 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.
- 28 mpg city, 38 highway and 32 combined on the figures in the review.
- Appeal: Overall, it’s hard not to like the Sonata.
- Warranty: Best-in-the-industry warranty.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is available in SE, Sport, Eco, Limited and 2.0T trims, and the unheralded hybrid model. My weekly test driver was the new Eco trim. It features a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with 177 horsepower with a seven-speed automatic transmission, thus the Eco name. The transmission is basically an automated manual transmission, and it gets better gas mileage and has quicker acceleration than its siblings.
Standard equipment on the base SE model: 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, LED running lights, air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, heated mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a 60/40-split rear seatback, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a six-speaker sound system (with a CD player, satellite radio, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auxiliary audio jack).
The Sport and Eco trims add automatic headlights, a rearview camera, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), upgraded door trim, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system (with smartphone integration) and a 5-inch touchscreen audio interface.
The 2015 Redesign
For its redesign in 2015, the Sonata has a larger cabin and there’s more refinement overall from the previous generation that took the sedan from a niche vehicle into the mainstream. It’s now a legitimate contender against the monoliths of the segment, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
The 2015 models also retains much of what made the previous generation one of the surprises of the industry. It was styled differently than any other sedan with a sloping roofline and sharp-angled front, side and rear panels.
The Hyundai lineup, including the Sonata, also shines because it has strong performance, generous lists of standard features and solid workmanship.
As a family sedan, four adults are comfortable in the Sonata, although the sloping roof reduces backseat headroom. Overall, it’s hard not to like the Sonata. From its swooping exterior reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz to its spacious and well-designed interior, it’s no wonder Hyundai stock in the increasingly competitive family sedan segment keeps performing well.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes
Great highway gas mileage.
Best-in-the-industry warranty.
Handsome interior.
Dislikes
Only one option package and it’s expensive.
Backseat headroom mediocre.
What Others Say: “As we discovered in our first drive, the Sonata Eco is an extraordinarily nice midsize sedan, well-equipped and capable of delivering outstanding fuel economy with very few sacrifices, all for a sticker price well under $30K. Autoweek
2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco Verdict
For some reason, Hyundai downplays its ‘green’ cars. They’re not heavily promoted, and it’s hard to figure out why. Every Hyundai hybrid or in this instance, the Eco, is worthy of a lot more attention, from the manufacturer and the public.
Facts & Figures: 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $23,275 |
| As-Tested Price | $28,310 |
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 177 hp |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5 seconds |
| Fuel Economy (original EPA label) | 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, revised) | 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Airbags | 7 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 5 yr/60,000 mi; powertrain 10 yr/100,000 mi; corrosion 7 yr/unlimited; roadside assistance 5 yr/unlimited |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.