With the dominating presence of trucks and recreational vehicles, a pleasant, efficient drive in a fair-priced sedan is still appealing. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata comes to mind.
Chasing the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, the segment sales leaders for years, the Sonata begins its eighth generation. It’s a much-changed midsize sedan inside and outside. The South Korean manufacturer’s marketing slogan for the new vehicle is “Sensuous Sportiness.” Sportiness works; sensuous is a stretch.
Key Takeaways
- Eighth-generation Sonata drops the conservative look: The fastback roofline, driving lights extending into the hood, and wide C-shaped taillights replace the staid midsize-sedan styling of prior generations.
- Prices run $23,400 to $33,300 across four trims: The top Limited checks in at $34,365 with delivery — about $2,500 below the 2019 U.S. new-car average of $36,718 per Kelley Blue Book.
- Two engine choices across the SE, SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited trims: Lower trims use a 191-hp 2.4-liter four; SEL Plus and Limited swap to a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four with slightly higher torque.
- Eight-speed automatic with push-button shifter: Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive move to console buttons, freeing storage and simplifying the layout. Paddle shifters come on higher trims.
- 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is the best in the segment: Shared with Kia and Mitsubishi, the coverage underscores Hyundai’s value pitch alongside a heavily-featured Limited trim.
The Sonata’s exterior has lost its conservatism for a modern fastback look. The driving lights now extend to the hood and taillamps are c-shaped and wide. Another staid midsize sedan it’s not. Hyundai has done all that’s possible to remove that long-standing assumption.
Hyundai‘s redesign interior shouts simplicity. It’s straightforward with simple lines. Most notably are the larger (10.3-inch) center screen and (12.3-inch) digital cluster.
A Sport trim has been dropped, leaving the new Sonata available on SE, SEL, SEL Plus and Limited trims. Starting prices range from $23,400 to $33,300. All trims have a $930 delivery, which places the top-line vehicle at $34,365, with the addition of $135 for carpet floor mats.
The average price of a new car in the United States in 2019 was $36,718, according to Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle valuation and automotive research company in Irvine. As such, while setting the highest-priced Sonata about $2,500 less than the average new car, Hyundai could initiate a marketing campaign with a less gimmicky tagline. Its new midsized sedan is the best car for the money in the industry.
The SE and SEL trims feature 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engines with 191 horsepower. The SEL Plus and Limited trims are equipped with 1.6-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engines with 180 horsepower and slightly higher torques.
Eight-speed automatic transmissions are standard, with paddle shifters included in SEL Plus and Limited trims. Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive push buttons replace a traditional shift lever. The system isn’t for everyone, but it’s convenient and opens up the console area.
The Sonata’s value is largely two-fold. While grouped in lower trims in option packages,
the Limited trims standard equipment list is a novella. Leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a Panoramic sunroof give the Sonata upscale traits. A 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, wireless charging and Hyundai Digital Key (a Bluetooth-enabled remote function control) are part of the strong technology features list.
Acceleration isn’t at the top of the segment, but 7.3 seconds for the 0-to-60 miles per hour standard is satisfactory. The horsepower-torque combination give the Sonata its sporty feel and sedan moves along with all that should be expected. Estimated gas mileages on the top-line Limited are 27 miles per gallon in city driving, 36 mpg on the highway.
The new Sonata offers a quiet, comfortable ride. Overall vision is good, and like many sedans, seating is strong for four adult occupants but tight for five. The 16-cubic-foot trunk is sizable among midsize sedans.
Hyundai and sister brand Kia are still not on the buying radar of some consumers, and it remains a mystery. With Mitsubishi, the two South Korean manufacturers’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, are the industry’s best.
While the Accord, Camry and Altima remain the long-standing better sellers, the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima also outsold the Sonata in 2019. With the exception of Altima, the best-selling sedans all lost sales ground to lightweight truck and SUVs. Sonata sales were down nearly 17 percent.
Hyundai reacted with the bold new Sonata. It may never infiltrate the top-three top sellers in the segment, it’s the frontrunner for best value.
What We Like
- Fastback exterior redesign finally looks distinctive
- 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- Limited trim packs leather, heated steering wheel, Bose 12-speaker audio, panoramic sunroof, and wireless charging
- 27 city / 36 highway mpg on the Limited trim
- Hyundai Digital Key feature works as a Bluetooth remote
What We Don’t
- 7.3-second 0-60 trails class-leading competitors
- Sport trim dropped — fewer tuning options
- Push-button shifter takes acclimation
- Tight for five adults despite mid-size classification
- Lost market share to Fusion, Malibu, and Optima in 2019
Facts & Figures: 2020 Hyundai Sonata
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 8-speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Engine (SE/SEL) | 2.4L 4-cylinder, 191 hp |
| Engine (SEL Plus/Limited) | 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder, 180 hp |
| Fuel Economy (Limited) | 27 city / 36 hwy / 31 combined mpg |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 7.3 seconds |
| Cargo Space | 16 cubic feet |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (SE) | $23,400 |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (Limited) | $33,300 |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota Camry | $24,425 |
| 2020 Honda Accord | $24,020 |
| 2020 Nissan Altima | $24,100 |
| 2020 Kia Optima | $23,390 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata cost?
Pricing ranges from $23,400 on the base SE to $33,300 on the top Limited trim. With a $930 delivery charge and $135 for carpet floor mats, the top-line Sonata reaches $34,365.
What engine options are available on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata?
The SE and SEL trims use a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower. The SEL Plus and Limited trims use a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower with slightly higher torque. Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
How fast is the 2020 Hyundai Sonata?
The 2020 Sonata accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Acceleration is satisfactory though not class-leading.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited?
The top-line Sonata Limited is estimated at 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway on regular gasoline.
What warranty does the 2020 Hyundai Sonata include?
Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is the industry’s best, matched only by Kia and Mitsubishi. It gives the Sonata a significant ownership-cost advantage over Japanese rivals.
What technology comes on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited?
The Limited trim includes leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, Bose 12-speaker premium audio, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, wireless charging, and the Hyundai Digital Key — a Bluetooth-enabled remote function control.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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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.