A full-size sedan with superb specs and amenities, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata can compete with more expensive, luxury cars. The compact car in Hyundai’s range, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, is the industry leader in terms of fuel economy and maneuverability in confined spaces. The Elantra gets 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, which is a marginally better fuel economy than the competition. Although the Sonata gets only 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the interstate, these numbers are still extremely good for a full-size sedan. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata was named Best Sedan of the Year by Hispanic Motor Press, and the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is an IIHS Top Safety Pick +, indicating it has received best-in-class safety ratings. Both of these vehicles have received excellent reviews and awards for both the current and previous model years.
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Which Sedan Should You Buy: The Hyundai Sonata or Elantra?
Just take a glance at the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata sedans to see that these days affordable doesn’t always equate to inexpensive. Hyundai’s venerable tiny and midsize four-doors, both recently remodeled, are now more fashionable and high-end than ever. Their standard and optional features rival those of any compact or midsize sedan in terms of value. Their costs are reasonable and approachable, but one of these cars looks to provide more value for the money. Find out which car wins the Elantra vs. Sonata comparison and whether the other is still deserving of consideration by reading on.
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Hyundai has been producing the Sonata, a mid-size vehicle, since 1985. The first model Sonata, which debuted in 1985 as a facelifted Hyundai Stellar with an upgraded engine, was quickly pulled off the market due to negative consumer feedback. The second version of the nameplate, which debuted in 1988, was widely exported despite being initially offered only in South Korea.
The Sonata is currently produced in Russia for export, China and South Korea for the Asian market, and the United States for the North American market. It was given the musical term sonata as its name.
Rundown of Vehicle Comparisons
The Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Elantra have many similarities, as you might anticipate. Both are four-door sedans with comparable technology and style. Midsize sedan Sonata received an update for 2018, and small sedan Elantra had an upgrade in 2017. Let’s examine their additional differences.
With a broader back seat and a bigger trunk, the Sonata is a bigger car. It’ll be a quieter, more comfortable highway cruiser. The Elantra is more slim and nimble, so it will perform well in cut-and-thrust maneuvers common in city driving. The Sonata costs several thousand dollars more than the smaller Elantra, as you might imagine.
If you want additional power at your disposal, both offer performance models with turbocharged engines. The decision is based on your needs and financial situation.
Hyundai Sonata: Is it small?
Hyundai, a South Korean carmaker, has updated its compact sedan to be more in line with its midsize car, the Sonata, for the 2021 model year.
Is the Hyundai Elantra a small vehicle?
Since 1990, Hyundai of South Korea has been manufacturing the Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante (Korean: hyeondae abandde). In Australia and other European markets, the Elantra was initially sold as the Lantra. This occurred in Australia as a result of the similarly titled Mitsubishi Magna Elante vehicle; similarly, the term Avante is not used in other regions as a result of its similarity to the “Avant” designation used by Audi for their lineup of station wagons. In 2001, the name “Elantra” became established around the world.
The Sonata: midsize or not?
The Hyundai Sonata is a sleek and expertly made midsize sedan that stands head and shoulders above most of its rivals in terms of available high-tech equipment. Despite not having the best handling or most interior space in its class (the N line aside), it performs more than admirably and offers a wide range of variants with ample standard features. The hybrid N Line offers performance with a German flavor and can achieve up to 52 mpg combined without compromising too much on performance. The Sonata prioritizes value and safety above all else, with class-leading ratings, the greatest guarantee in the business, and three years of no-cost routine maintenance.
What is a full-size Hyundai vehicle?
Hyundai currently sells three sedans in the United States. They are the Accent (subcompact), Elantra (compact), and Sonata (biggest to smallest). The latter two are also offered as hybrids, and the Elantra now comes in a N version. However, as you may have noticed, there is not a single full-size car on that list.
That doesn’t exclude you from purchasing a brand-new Hyundai full-size sedan in 2022, though. Just that a Hyundai badge won’t be attached to it. As was already mentioned, Hyundai has a luxury line called Genesis. The G90, a full-size sedan, is also available.
The 2022 Genesis G90 is much more expensive than the 2022 Hyundai Sonata because it is a luxury vehicle. For nearly the same price as one base 2022 G90 3.3T RWD Premium, you could purchase two fully loaded 2022 Sonata Limiteds. The 2022 G90, however, is still less expensive than its German counterparts even after adding a number of amenities. If you can hold out a little longer, it will receive a significant upgrade for the 2023 model year.
Although the revamped G90 appears promising, it is only “technically” a Hyundai full-size sedan. Or, it’s the sole newly available option. There is a genuine Hyundai-badged full-size four-door out there if you don’t mind spending more money on secondhand cars.
What qualifies as a compact car?
A little car is another name for a compact car. It could be a sports coupe, hatchback, two-door, or four-door vehicle. This vehicle is ideal if you don’t require a lot of space. Compacts range in length from 161 to 187 inches and have an interior volume of between 100 and 109 cubic feet.
Although most vehicles in this category offer capacity for up to five people, compacts also feature four to five seats. This kind of vehicle is ideal if you don’t require a lot of space. It’s ideal for cruising around town with a few buddies or for your commute to work.
The Hyundai Sonata was retired for what reason?
In the upcoming years, Hyundai may remove the Sonata moniker from its lineup of international models, according to a media report.
According to reports, Hyundai is not creating a Sonata for a new generation. The automobile, however, is anticipated to see one more makeover before being finally discontinued around 2025. The current Hyundai Sonata is part of the eighth generation, which debuted back in 2020.
The current-generation Hyundai Sonata is available with two gasoline engines and a hybrid powertrain in other countries. The brand is rumored to be phased out the sedan in favor of EVs. The Ioniq 6 EV, which Hyundai is presently developing and may eventually replace the Sonata in its lineup, will go on sale soon.
According to reports, the product’s poor sales may have also been a factor in its cancellation. In comparison to the preceding models, which sold over a million units, the Hyundai Sonata sedan is reported to have sold only 4,40,000 units in the last three years. With almost 9 million units sold since its 1985 debut, the sedan is one of Korea’s most durable vehicles.
The Hyundai Sonata: a dependable vehicle?
How Reliable Is the Hyundai Sonata? The projected reliability rating for the 2022 Hyundai Sonata is 83 out of 100. J.D. Power predicts that reliability scores will range from 91 to 100, with 91 to 100 being the best, 81 to 90 being great, 70 to 80 being medium, and 0-69 being fair and below average.
Do sedans qualify as compact vehicles?
The relationship between a small and an economic car needs to be clarified first. The majority of compact automobiles do not meet the requirements and are categorized differently, but they are typically as big as economy cars can be.
A automobile may only be classified as a compact if its interior volume index ranges from 100 to 109 cubic feet and it can comfortably seat up to four people.
The most desirable models in the compact sector include hatchbacks, liftbacks, and smaller sedans. Depending on the brand, model, and trim package, their pricing can change. Additionally, they are usually more expensive than cars that are in the economy class.
Which issues does the Hyundai Sonata have?
A number of serious and severe flaws in Hyundai put its dependability in jeopardy, and some seemingly little problems appeared. As an illustration, certain models also had faulty speakers. To fix a software fault that stopped the CD player, navigation, radio, and phone calls from producing audio, several model years from 2011 to 2016 required a hard reset. Simply unplugging and replugging the negative battery connector cured the problem.
Another minor issue was that some Hyundai Sonata cars from 2003 to 2015 had parking lights that remained on even after the engine was shut off, draining the battery. The issue was frequently attributed to a fuse issue, but a worn grommet on the brake pedal could also be to blame.
Additional issues included rusted suspension parts, steering issues, and premature timing chain tensioner and timing belt failure.
Due to its affordability, Hyundai is still among the most well-known automakers today. One of the best bargains for the money is still Hyundai. Ultimately, keeping up with maintenance and taking care of problems as they happen will help keep your Hyundai in good shape for many years to come. Maintaining a solid maintenance schedule will also keep your Hyundai’s fuel efficiency as high as the day you first drove it off the lot, saving you money at the pump.
Which is larger, the Sonata or the Elantra?
The Elantra is regarded as a compact car, and it is smaller than the Sonata in terms of wheelbase, cargo volume, and overall size. The Sonata gives you a little more space and a slightly larger frame.
Hyundai Elantra: Is it a medium vehicle?
Hyundai’s Elantra is a well regarded midsize sedan, and Toyota’s Corolla is a compact car designed to be a little sportier and more entertaining. Let’s analyze the 2019 versions of each to see which one best suits your demands for drivability, load capacity, and interior space. Despite belonging to the same class as compact cars, the 2019 Corolla’s interior size is comparable to that of the 2019 Elantra. In actuality, it has somewhat greater rear legroom and around the same amount of front legroom as the Elantra, but its cargo compartment isn’t as spacious. The Elantra may not outpace the Corolla in terms of size, but it does provide more safety features than the Corolla in most of its trims, including a cross-path warning system, hands-free navigation, and a blind spot monitoring system. The 4-cylinder engine and 7-speed CVT in the Corolla are rated at 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, whilst the 4-cylinder engine and Dual Clutch transmission in the Elantra are rated at 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the interstate.
Do sedans qualify as compact cars?
Depending on who you talk to. Compact automobiles are typically hatchbacks or sedans that fall between the subcompact and mid-size price ranges. The definition then changes depending on a few variables.
The EPA, which monitors and controls vehicle fuel economy, bases a car’s size classification on the capacity of its interior. The EPA defines a small car as having an internal volume that is between 100 and 109 cubic feet, which is quite exact and ignores the size of the car’s exterior. For instance, the EPA would classify the 2020 Hyundai Accent as a compact car.