If your mantra for 2022 is “Spend Less; Get More,” then your next car should be a Hyundai Sonata. Innovative tech like Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist makes it the best sedan of 2022.
What is the Hyundai Sonata’s Competition?
Hyundai’s online page for the Sonata compares its flagship sedan with the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Honda Accord. So, we’ll see how the Sonata stacks up against those models and toss in its cousin, the Kia K5 sedan.
Comfort is Queen: Which Sedan Rules?
All of the sedans we compare seat five passengers. The Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 lead the pack in front leg and headroom: something taller drivers will appreciate. And its higher sloping roofline gives riders in the back more headroom versus the Accord, Altima, Camry, and K5.
But comfort isn’t just about stretching out. Hyundai delivers a ride that rivals that of many luxury sedans. It’s tuned to provide a smooth, quiet ride, heated front seats are available on every trim except the base SE, and if you have your heart set on a leather-appointed cabin, it shouldn’t set you back more than $35k.
Other conveniences, such as wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof, are available starting with the SE trim, offering a premium experience without the premium sticker price.
Wired for Innovation
The Sonata is the clear winner here. Even if some critics scoff at Hyundai’s Remote Smart Parking Assist as “gimmicky,” there are plenty of other standard and available features that lift it head and shoulders above the rest, including:
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Highway Driving Assist
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Hyundai’s “loanable” Digital Key
While many of the safety features are available in the other models, Rear Occupant Alert—a must-have in a family sedan—is available only in the Sonata, Kia K5, and Nissan Altima.
Get Up and Go Even Farther
Let’s face it: none of these sedans are going to win drag races. But even with its base 180-horsepower engine, the Sonata more than holds its own when you need to merge into freeway traffic. Its 1.6L inter-cooled turbo achieves 38 highway MPG, which puts it in line with the other models.
The Sonata, Camry, and Accord all have hybrid options, a notable absence in the Nissan and Kia sedan lineups. At 54 highway MPG, the Hyundai gets more gas from a gallon than competitive models.
The Best Cost to Own in the Business
With a base price of just over $24k, the Hyundai’s starting price is bettered only by its cousin, the Kia K5. And sharing bloodlines, Hyundai and Kia offer the best warranty in America (10 years/100,000 miles).
Hyundai ups the ante by adding three years of free maintenance for drivers who buy or lease a new vehicle. This covers every oil change and tire rotation for the first 36 months of ownership (or the life of a typical lease). Toyota is the only other automaker offering complimentary maintenance, but it’s limited to 2 years/25,000 miles.
Sedans are Alive and Well
For all of the talk about automakers phasing out sedans, it’s good to see some automakers haven’t given up on them completely. If you’re on the lookout for a super comfortable, family-size sedan, there’s no better value than the Hyundai Sonata. It’s definitely worth adding to your test-drive list.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
