2022 Hyundai Sonata Review: The Sensible Choice
The Hyundai Sonata has come a long way and can no longer be described as a nondescript Korean family sedan, as previous generations were. I mean, it's still a Korean family sedan, but it looks great and offers a ton of value. The 2022 model goes mostly unchanged, but that's not a bad thing. From the base model up, you get class-leading safety features, and right at the top, the N Line model offers impressive performance thanks to a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That's better than even the most powerful Honda Accord can muster, but the 6-cylinder Toyota Camry is still more powerful. You can also go for the efficient Sonata Hybrid with its 192-hp powertrain. The Sonata's build quality is excellent, the drive is composed, and the safety levels are class-leading - it has the goods to compete with its strong-selling Japanese rivals.
2022 Sonata Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 192.9 in | 111.8 in | 56.9 in | 73.2 in | 63.5 in | 63.8 in | 3,192.0 lbs |
2022 Sonata Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Hyundai Sonata has never been an enthusiastic handler, and its dynamic ability has traditionally rested on the side of neutral, bordering on bland. The eighth-generation Sonata is a pleasure to drive if you're looking for a composed driving experience that holds no surprises. In non-performance guise, the Hyundai Sonata offers light steering feel that's perfect for city commuting and enough feedback and grip to keep most civilians happy. Although on the stiffer side, the suspension setup does an excellent job of soaking up road imperfections, but lacks any sort of real feel in the corners and isn't as sharp as the athletic Honda Accord. Stepping up to the performance-orientated N Line changes things up. With bigger brakes and a more dynamic chassis setup, the N Line delivers a more engaging driving experience but still manages to feel comfortable and composed over rough road surfaces. We don't think Hyundai ever wanted to go for the all-out sports car feel here and has instead found a healthy compromise between driving fun and comfort.
2022 Sonata Interior
2022 Sonata Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 7 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Hyundai Sonata A Good car?
The Hyundai Sonata of old was a forgettable also-ran that ticked most of the boxes required of a budget-friendly sedan but failed to inspire any sort of enthusiasm or desire from the car-buying public. To combat this, Hyundai offers the latest Sonata in sporty N Line configuration. Not only does the N Line look better, but it's pretty quick too, handles with more enthusiasm, and offers more feedback compared to the slightly dreary base model. The engine choices are also impressive: the 1.6T is a nippy little motor, and the 2.5-liter turbo engine does a convincing job of launching the Sonata out of the starting blocks. At the end of the day, you're still looking at a reliable, safe, and comfortable Korean sedan that won't break the bank and comes packed with all the modern tech and safety features you'll ever need. Some are more practical, and others are more fun to drive, but the 2022 Hyundai Sonata does it all rather well.
2022 Hyundai Sonata Comparisons
2022 Hyundai Sonata vs Hyundai Elantra
The Sonata is Hyundai's largest sedan offering in the USA and sits one class above the Elantra. As the bigger car, the Sonata gets a bigger and more powerful 2.5-liter engine in base form, and both make well over 250 hp in N Line (Sonata) and N (Elantra) flavors. The Sonata again offers the most powerful engine option when it dresses up as an N Line with 290 hp from its 2.5T engine. Inside, the Sonata provides more front legroom, but the smaller Elantra has significantly more rear legroom on offer. The Sonata has a bigger trunk at 16 cubic feet. Both cars offer a solid amount of tech and modern driver assistance tech in terms of standard features. The choice between these two cars will boil down to your budget and your space and cargo needs. We'd go with the cheeky Elantra N Line.
2022 Hyundai Sonata vs Kia K5
The Kia K5 has never looked better and, in our opinion, is a more attractive car than the Hyundai Sonata. Under the skin, they're very similar. The Kia has the edge from the word go, as it offers the peppy 1.6-liter turbo engine from the base model up instead of the Hyundai's 2.5-liter engine. The Kia also scores major points for offering the K5 with AWD. The interior of both cars is impressively modern and well put together, but the Kia K5 provides slightly more legroom in the rear. Both vehicles offer a solid 16 cubic feet of trunk space. These cars are closely priced, but at the bottom of the range, the Kia offers a better engine at a lower price, and the same goes for the top-end model. The Kia K5 wins this battle.