Hyundai Sonata

Over the years Hyundai's Sonata has been a consistently good pick for a sedan that's big on value. But back in 2020 it would seem Hyundai wasn't quite satisfied with just value. That's when it redesigned the Sonata and gave it a wallop of avant-garde style. Then it followed up for 2021 by cranking up the performance with the N Line version of the Sonata. Fitted with a 290-horsepower engine, the N Line sets a new midsize sport sedan benchmark.

The changes are comparatively small for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata. Notably, the once optional Tech package on the already value-stacked SEL Plus trim is now standard. And the recently christened N Line gets a new appearance package, known as the Night Edition, that adds a mix of matte and gloss black exterior finishes and a spritz of carbon-fiber trim.

Overall, the Sonata is among the best midsize sedans out and is a worthy rival to the Honda Accord, Kia K5 and Nissan Altima. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our team's full take on the Sonata's comfort, performance and more.

Which Sonata does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Sonata is available in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and N Line. Hyundai also offers the Sonata Hybrid variant, which is reviewed separately. Feature highlights for the Sonata include:

SE Comes respectably well equipped with:

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque)
• Eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive
• LED headlights
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• 8-inch central touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Six-speaker sound system

Standard safety equipment on all Sonatas includes:

• Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Sonata back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SEL A nicer Sonata thanks to:

• 17-inch wheels
• Proximity keyless entry and push-button start
• Blue Link connectivity and remote services
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Hands-free trunk opener
• Safety exit warning (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Convenience package An optional package for the SEL that adds:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Digital instrument display
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Rear climate vents
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Hyundai Digital Key (allows you to operate the vehicle while carrying your Android smartphone instead of the physical key)

SEL Plus Has a more powerful engine plus:

• Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (180 hp, 195 lb-ft)
• Convenience package from the SEL
• 19-inch wheels
• Simulated leather seating with microfiber inserts
• Navigation system
• 12-speaker premium Bose sound system
• Enhanced adaptive cruise and lane keeping systems

Limited Carries over features from the SEL Plus and also comes with:

• Upgraded LED headlights
• 18-inch wheels
• Head-up display
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather seating surfaces
• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Ventilated front seats
• Ambient interior lighting
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Blind-spot view monitor (uses cameras to project a moving rearward image onto a digital display)
• Surround-view monitor (gives you a top-down view of the Sonata and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Hyundai's Smart Parking Assist (allows the driver to exit the vehicle and remotely guide it into a parking spot using a smartphone app)

N Line The performance version of the Sonata, the N Line is equipped similarly to the SEL Plus with the Tech package. It also has:

• Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (290 hp, 311 lb-ft)
• Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
• Unique 19-inch wheels (with available summer tires)
• Sport-tuned steering and suspension
• Front seats with additional bolstering
• N Line-specific styling details