2018 Hyundai Sonata: 5 Reasons Why It's Still Worth Checking Out

It’s being said that sedans are losing the attention of car buyers, with crossovers claiming more and more market share.

New sedans from Toyota, Honda and Mazda are still impressive, but one new model that doesn’t seem to get much credit is the Hyundai Sonata. The 2018 model made a number of refinements that make it a worthy car even if it might be in the shadows of those previously mentioned cars. This fact has been lingering in my mind ever since it won a comparison with the newer Camry earlier this year. The Hyundai is often the underdog in this segment, but I think the Sonata deserves a bit more credit. Here are five reasons it’s still worth your time and money.

There are seven trim levels of the Sonata (not including Hybrid models), meaning there are plenty of options for verious budgets. Sadly, only two trim levels have the 2.0T engine, but neither of them has additional packages to add on (there is only one 2.0T trim in Canada, but it’s fully loaded). This makes picking a model a bit easier to deal with, as sometimes packages can complicate the whole purchase. Sport 2.0T models don’t get as many luxuries as the Limited 2.0T models, but it does include heated seats, a power sunroof, sporty leather bolstered seats and a leather D-shaped steering wheel. The Limited 2.0T gets vented seats, rear window shades, a bigger infotainment screen and more safety and driver assistance features like parking sensors. All cars come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

Right off the bat, the Sonata feels like a more practical vehicle — with 16.3 cubic feet (462 L) of storage, it’s just below the Accord’s 16.7 cubic feet (473 L), but more than the Mazda6, Toyota Camry, and Subaru Legacy. It also has more passenger volume than the Accord and all these cars, making it a very pleasant place for passengers and drivers alike.

ALSO SEE: 2018 Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry Comparison

I also can’t get enough of the engine and transmission combination. At first, I was confused because past Sonata Turbo models made over 270 horsepower, while this year’s model makes 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It seems like a noticeable drop, but the automaker prioritized smoothness and a broad torque curve, meaning the car feels powerful and responsive throughout more of the rev range. This is also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that never missed a beat when changing gears.

The Sonata starts at $22,935 including destination ($26,604 in Canada), which is cheaper than entry-level Camry, Accord, and Legacy models. The 2.0T model starts at $28,485 including destination ($38,804 in Canada), which is a fantastic deal, making it more affordable than the Accord 2.0T, Mazda6 2.5T and even six-cylinder versions of the Camry and Legacy in the U.S. It’s hard to argue with the value offered by the Hyundai, and the car also comes with a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty, and 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. It also has five years of complimentary roadside assistance, which all adds up to make the Sonata a hard purchase to argue with.

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