For those who’re simply in search of wise, A-to-B transport at worth, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata is a terrific alternative that checks off all of the containers. It is a household sedan that provides ample passenger and cargo house, tons of well-executed expertise, a lineup of environment friendly engines and a aggressive worth that features a prolonged guarantee and ample function content material.
But, Hyundai is at its finest when it not solely delivers the A-to-B fundamentals, however goes that further mile by pushing the envelope and getting consideration with a daring, if generally outlandish, design. And there is no denying the Sonata falls into that class with its coupe-like form, distinctive accent lighting and distinguished grille. There’s completely no mistaking it for an Accord or Camry. Perhaps it will be too out-there for some, however we’ll take daring over nameless any day. The inside is not fairly as uncommon, nevertheless it’s modern and fashionable whereas nonetheless offering usable storage, wise controls and easy-to-use tech. Briefly, the Sonata delivers perform and trend, and we contemplate it top-of-the-line vehicles underneath $30,000.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Options | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2022?
The SEL Plus trim now comes commonplace with its earlier Tech package deal content material: panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose stereo and Freeway Driving Help. The Glowing Yellow paint possibility was dropped, so there goes our spiffy footage of the Sonata painted in it. There’s additionally a brand new N Line Evening Version (due to course there’s) with the ever-present darkish trim items, wheels and badging added. It’s pictured beneath.
What are the Sonata inside and in-car expertise like?
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasts a modern, fashionable cabin with minimal muddle and high-quality supplies. Like most new vehicles, its infotainment management display is featured prominently atop the sprint. The SE and SEL trims get an 8-inch display, whereas a ten.25-inch touchscreen is commonplace on the SEL Plus and up. No different midsize sedan (except for the mechanically associated Kia K5) presents such a big display, and as we describe in our Sonata infotainment assessment and video beneath, we expect its performance is terrific. Behind the wheel sits a customizable 12.3-inch digital cluster show (non-obligatory on SEL, commonplace on SEL Plus and Restricted), and the top-of-the-line Restricted additionally presents a full-color head-up show.
There are some good touches for tech junkies, too, together with Hyundai’s “Digital Key,” which permits the proprietor to unlock the Sonata by waving a licensed smartphone over the outside door handles. Hyundai additionally presents Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration as commonplace gear. There are three USB ports, and wi-fi charging is refreshingly not unique to the very best trim degree.
N Line patrons are handled to extra aggressively bolstered seats, a sport steering wheel and distinctive red-accented stitching. Hybrid patrons get a completely totally different particular deal with, as those that go for the range-topping SEL Plus additionally get a photo voltaic roof. In sunny circumstances, these panels can replenish as many as 2 miles of further vary per day, or roughly 700 miles per 12 months. Extra virtually, they’ll energy equipment whereas the engine itself is off, just like the air con on a sunny day.
How massive is the Sonata?
The Sonata would not have as a lot backseat legroom because the palatial Honda Accord. The hole is not as large because the spec sheet suggests (we expect there are variations in the best way Hyundai measures interiors), and other people taller than 6 ft can nonetheless sit one behind the opposite. You also needs to be capable of match a rear-facing youngster seat within the again with out shifting a entrance seat ahead. Headroom is plentiful regardless of that modern roofline, much more than the Accord and Camry, each on the spec sheet and in individual.
The trunk presents 16.3 cubic ft, which makes it greater than each midsize sedan besides the Accord. As we found in our Sonata baggage take a look at, that determine interprets into equally spectacular stuff-carrying capability. Certainly, solely the Accord trunk has been capable of maintain extra stuff in our midsize sedan baggage exams.
What are the Sonata gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The 2022 Sonata is obtainable with a alternative of 4 powertrains. The bottom engine within the SE and SEL is a 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder making 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. These figures are typical for entry-level engines within the midsize section. This engine is rated at 28 mpg metropolis, 38 mpg freeway and 32 mpg mixed within the SE mannequin and 27/37/31 within the SEL.
Stepping as much as the SEL Plus and Restricted fashions means switching to the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine produces much less energy (180 horses) than the bottom 2.5, however extra torque (195 lb-ft). It likewise presents related numbers to different lower-end turbocharged engines supplied by the competitors, such because the Honda Accord’s 1.5-liter. This engine can be rated at 27/37/31.
Probably the most potent engine providing is the two.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder underneath the hood of the Sonata N Line. It spins out 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Not like the opposite Sonatas, the N Line makes use of a dual-wet-clutch automated handbook that additionally gives rev-matching and launch management. The N Line’s turbo-four can’t fairly match the horsepower of the Toyota Camry’s V6, although it does supply extra torque. EPA estimates for the N Line are 23/33/27.
The fuel-economy champ is a 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It makes use of a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four and a 39-kW electrical motor. Mixed, they produce a complete of 192 hp. That is good for 45 mpg metropolis, 51 mpg freeway and 47 mpg mixed within the SEL and Restricted, and 50/54/52 within the Blue. This may look like an enormous bounce, nevertheless it actually quantities to solely $100 in estimated annual gas prices. Equally, the real-world effectivity variations between the Sonata Hybrid and its household sedan rivals is equally negligible.
Sadly, no Sonata presents all-wheel drive, a function out there on an rising variety of household sedans, together with the Sonata’s mechanically associated cousin, the Kia K5.
What is the Sonata prefer to drive?
We have pushed each model of the Sonata aside from one with the bottom 2.5-liter, and we have discovered every to be surprisingly participating to drive in comparison with Sonatas of that previous. That even applies to the hybrid, which up to now, was synonymous with boring. Though the Honda Accord is the superior athlete on this class (RIP Mazda6), the Sonata isn’t far behind, putting a reliable stability between consolation and dealing with prowess for a every day driver. You in all probability will not have enjoyable in it, nevertheless it’s vice free and it will not bore you to loss of life with fully anesthetized controls. Take the steering, which has linear, constant effort and is sufficiently conscious of your inputs. We’re additionally followers of Hyundai’s new, properly contoured four-spoke steering wheel.
The Sonata Hybrid (above proper) drives extra like an everyday gas-only automotive than its rivals due to its conventional transmission. The Accord Hybrid feels extra like an electrical automotive (with an engine that sometimes whirs independently of what your proper foot is doing), whereas the Toyota Camry drones on attributable to its e-CVT. For those who’re postpone by the standard weirdness of a hybrid, that is the one to get. On the similar time, you may positively discover the electrical increase given to the engine when accelerating.
The 1.6-liter turbo options Hyundai’s new CVVD engine expertise, however you wouldn’t know something particular is going on had you not been warned. It’s a torquey little four-cylinder with sufficient grunt to get off the road in a rush. There’s loads of torque all through the rev band; lag is minimal, and it’s nice sufficient to hearken to. It is simply not a considerable efficiency improve.
The N Line, nevertheless, is far faster (pictured above left in new Evening Version guise). Acceleration is powerful sufficient to trigger the steering wheel to squirm in your arms, significantly at decrease speeds. With stiffer suspension parts and greater brakes, there’s extra to the N Line than simply further energy. The automotive is extra responsive in corners however the trip doesn’t beat up occupants over unhealthy pavement. Extra about it beneath.
What different Hyundai Sonata critiques can I learn?
2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line First Drive Evaluate
Our assessment of the new-for-2021 Sonata N Line, which boasts extra horsepower than every other household sedan. We would not name it a full-on sport mannequin, nevertheless, because it’s well not hardcore sufficient to place off those that simply need further thrust and sharpened responses with out a punishing trip or hyperactive nature.
2020 Hyundai Sonata First Drive Evaluate
Our first drive of the current-generation Hyundai Sonata was in a Korean-spec automotive abroad, however aside from the powertrain, it is the automotive the U.S. ultimately received. This assessment dives deeper into the automotive’s design and engineering.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Security and Driver Help Tech Evaluate
We break down the Sonata’s well-executed and expansive array of security and driver help tech.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Driveway Check | Infotainment options and 10.25-inch touchscreen
On this assessment with video, we break down the Sonata’s glorious widescreen infotainment system.
2020 Hyundai Sonata Baggage Check | How a lot matches within the trunk?
The official trunk quantity is 16.3 cubic-feet. Nice, however how a lot does that imply when it comes to precise stuff? This solutions that.
How a lot is the 2022 Sonata worth, and what options can be found?
The Sonata SE is robustly outfitted for a base-model car, however the true worth chief is the SEL Plus, which incorporates the 1.6-liter turbo engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, suede and leatherette seating surfaces, Qi wi-fi machine charging, an extra USB cost port and due to an inflow of additional gear for 2022, a panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose stereo and Freeway Driving Help. Sure, it is now priced over $31,000 attributable to that inflow of apparatus, nevertheless it’s an incredible worth. We’d additionally strongly counsel going with the hybrid given its distinctive gas economic system and minimal draw back in comparison with its gas-only siblings.
All costs beneath embody an affordable $1,025 vacation spot cost.
SE: $25,375
SEL: $26,975
SEL Plus: $32,175
Restricted: $35,125
N Line: $34,475
N Line Evening Version: $35,775
Hybrid Blue: $28,075
Hybrid SEL: $30,825
Hybrid Restricted: $36,425
What are the Sonata security rankings and driver help options?
Customary security gear on the 2022 Sonata contains ahead collision warning with pedestrian and bike owner detection, automated emergency braking, a driver inattention warning system, lane preserving help with lane centering, a rear occupant alert system, automated excessive beams and adaptive cruise management. All however the base SE get a blind-spot warning system, which is upgraded within the Restricted with the whole, multi-faceted array of blind-spot tech that we named Autoblog Know-how of the 12 months a number of years in the past.
In addition to the sheer quantity of those security and driver help options, we have discovered them to be among the many best-executed on the section. They do their job effectively with out annoying you.
The Sonata Restricted obtained an IIHS Prime Security Decide ranking, falling in need of the coveted Prime Security Decide+ as a result of weaknesses of the headlights supplied as commonplace gear on the SE, SEL and SEL Plus trims. All different scores are distinctive. The federal government (NHTSA) provides the 2022 Sonata an total security ranking of 5 stars out of 5.
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