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We review the 2025 Hyundai Sonata including trim levels, interior options, and more to see if it is the right mid-size sedan for you.
2025 Hyundai Sonata – hyundainews.com | Shop 2025 Hyundai Sonata on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Hyundai Sonata?
As the sixth model year of the Hyundai Sonata’s eighth generation and the second since its last facelift, Hyundai’s mid-size sedan might feel a little long in the tooth. But with great standard features, an optional hybrid drivetrain, and solid interior space, it makes for a genuine Camry fighter. It comes in six trims, of which two are hybrids, and each across the range gets a clever compound screen separated into two 12.3-inch font displays.
New for 2025, the Hyundai Sonata brings back the SE trim as a cheerful entry-level into the range, while the sporty N- Line trim offers a nicer experience.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.25/10
Powertrain
Score
8.5/10
Interior
Score
7.75/10
Technology
Score
8/10
Value
Score
8.5/10
The Breakdown
Elegant for a cheap sedan
Very solid standard tech
Optional hybrid engine
AWD availability still limited
Still no proper N version
Lacking power
An average sedan with great value
2025 Sonata Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 181 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Ten-year powertrain warranty
2025 Sonata Powertrain 8.5/10
It’s wild just how close in feel the Sonata’s 2.5-liter Smartstream four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox combination is to the range-dominating Accord and Camry. In fact, that true-to-form automatic gearbox gives the Sonata a point of distinction over those two. You don’t even lose that much fuel economy for the trouble. We’re talking 28 MPG in the city and 38 on the highway in FWD configuration and only marginally less with AWD.
With 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque to work with, this is no speed demon. But a 7.6-second sprint to 60 mph isn’t downright awful, either. Meanwhile, the two-liter Smartstream hybrid drivetrain loses 500cc but gains a 270-volt, 1.62 kWh lithium-polymer traction battery and a permanent magnet electric motor to bring power figures to a blistering 192 horses. The upside to this lack of power is a healthy 44 MPGs in the city and 51 on the highway.
2025 Sonata Interior 7.75/10
The Sonata‘s status as a mid-size sedan gives it some breathing room to be generous with interior space. Rear legroom is a stat sedans live and die by, and the Sonata delivers 34.8 inches, or as much as some crossovers. Admittedly, it lags the Accord’s 40.8 inches. But no one would call the Sonata lacking, either.
As for seat upholstery, the first three trims in the range from the base upward make due with what Hyundai calls “Premium Cloth.” Likely, it just means cloth seats. The N Line at least bothers to provide sports seats with microfiber inserts to make it feel more unique. Only at the range-topping Limited Hybrid trim do real deal leather seats make their debut. It’s a clever way of making the trim feel high-class in ways lower trims don’t. Overall, this is an excellent interior, but not one without shortcomings.
2025 Sonata Tech & Features 8/10
Not much is new in the way of tech or features for 2025. But the Sonata is still riding high after a strong mid-cycle refresh. Haters of uber-modern interiors with digital gauge clusters and tons of screens, turn away now. The melding of two 12.3-inch capacitive touch screens into your infotainment and digital gauge display in its higher trims might not jive with these people. The rest of us would call it a funky way of laying out this interior.
Even without the digital gauges, the center screen is well laid out, and dedicated HVAC dials right underneath appear very ergonomic. Elsewhere, a power-closing trunk lid is available as an optional extra, as is a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system; on the N-Line side of things, you get launch control, although it feels a bit silly given the engine choice, plus rev-matching and the above-mentioned exclusive interior.
On the driver assistant side of things, even the base trims get adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure assist, pedestrian detection, and cyclist detection for peace of mind.
2024 Hyundai Sonata Trims & Pricing
SE – $26,900
Making its comeback after its absence last year, the base SE trim makes do with just rims of a paltry 16 inches in size. Still, it’s not exactly like you lose much else.
SEL – $27,900
The SEL trim ups the ante with 17-inch rims, automatic up and down front windows on both sides, plus heated side mirrors and heated front seats for a more refined experience.
SEL Convenience – $30,950
One trim up from the SEL adds you 18-inch rims and a leather-wrapped steering wheel among a few other creature comforts like a panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, and the 12.3-inch LCD cluster with added navigation.
SEL Hybrid – $31,250
All the trapping and luxuries of the SEL Convenience trim but with the added benefit of a hybrid drivetrain. You also get a trim-specific alloy wheel pattern that stands out from the crowd.
N Line – $35,500
Is it sporty? Not really. But with paddle shifters, launch control, and aggressive exterior trim pieces to go with 19-inch blacked-out wheels, the Sonata N Line looks distinguished.
Limited Hybrid – $37,700
The Limited Hybrid trim adds to the comforts with real leather seats, the hybrid drivetrain, and all the options and features from the rest of the range sans N Line available standard. In short, the Limited Hybrid is a genuinely classy sedan.
Overall Value 8.5/10
In truth, we expected the Sonata to be a refined, spacious sedan with good features and great build quality. But it’s the hybrid drivetrain with its uber-efficient fuel economy and equally great range makes the Sonata even more tempting than any before it. Compared to the Camry, Kia K5, and Accord, the Sonata has some impressive features, an attractive price, and a rock-solid warranty.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.25/10
2025 Hyundai Sonata – hyundainews.com | Shop 2025 Hyundai Sonata on Carsforsale.com
Should you buy this over a Camry? That’s a tough decision. Toyota will always get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to long-term reliability. But still, the Hyundai Sonata shouldn’t be discounted. It’s got all the prospects of a great sedan, and you’re bound to be pleased with it if your expectations are appropriate.
FAQ’s About the 2025 Hyundai Sonata
Does the Sonata have a hybrid engine?
Yes, the 2025 Hyundai Sonata has an optional hybrid engine
Does the Sonata have AWD?
AWD is a feature available on some of Hyundai Sonata trim levels
How much is the Hyundai Sonata?
The Hyundai Sonata MSRP starts at $26,900.
