2023 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata has been around since 1985 and is now in its eighth generation. That's an impressive career by any standard, and in that time, Hyundai has gone from strength to strength. The 2023 Hyundai Sonata is a far cry from the first econobox built nearly 40 years ago; in fact, it's a highly accomplished midsize sedan that offers a ton of value for money and, in N specification, some seriously impressive performance. The Sonata is powered by a range of gasoline and hybrid powertrains and is topped by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Tie in class-leading safety levels and a ton of standard features, and it's no wonder the Hyundai Sonata's competitors, which include evergreen nameplates like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, are shaking in their boots.

The Hyundai Sonata's prices will be good news for customers seeking a high-value family sedan. The base SE starts with an MSRP of $24,950, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,045. That's quite a bit cheaper than the Honda Accord. The SEL goes for $27,475, and the SEL Plus crosses the $30k mark with a price tag of $31,975. The sporty N Line hikes that price up to $34,325, and the Limited costs $34,975. The Hyundai Sonata's USA pricing remains one of the sedan's top selling points.

The Sonata Hybrid costs $27,350 for the Blue, $30,100 for the SEL, and $35,700 for the Limited.

The Hyundai Sonata is not exactly the go-to model for driver enjoyment and performance driving; instead, this family-friendly midsize sedan offers a type of driving experience similar to the experience of buying groceries or making the bed: it's a daily chore that doesn't stir the emotions. The standard Sonata feels comfortable around town, and its light steering makes it very maneuverable in tight spaces. The suspension is on the stiffer side but still soaks up bumps well enough. There's enough grip to get it through a set of fast corners, but with little feedback, it's not a pleasurable experience. The N Line model adds better brakes and chassis and suspension improvements that turn it into an engaging driver's car. Add to that a solid dose of power from the 2.5-liter turbo engine, and you're looking at a really good time.

The new Hyundai Sonata sedan covers a wide range of automotive checkboxes, and the eighth-generation car is better than ever. The Sonata isn't an in-your-face type of car (at least in non-N guise) and will happily fade into the background of a parking lot, which is exactly what some people want. The driving experience is safe and predictable, and it offers a ton of value, not to mention the excellent safety reviews the Hyundai Sonata achieves. The Sonata is wonderful as a soft-spoken daily commuter, and its 1.6-liter turbo motor is nippy enough to make you smile from time to time. The N Line changes things up in a big way and pushes the Sonata into the limelight. In performance configuration, the Sonata demands to be seen and delivers an outstanding driving experience that is on par with more established contenders. The 2023 Sonata offers something for everyone, and we think it's a great buy.

There are three ways you can go when buying a new Hyundai Sonata. The first way is to go for a sensible, fuel-saving economy sedan, the second is to go for the high-performance N Line, and the third is to meet somewhere in the middle. We'd recommend going for the SEL Plus, which strikes a good balance between cost, standard features, and performance. The SEL Plus is the first in the range to be offered with the feisty 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and also adds a solid amount of standard features, including a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a 12.3-inch LCD cluster.

If you care about running costs, there's no beating the Sonata Hybrid's superb efficiency, although it does initially cost a bit more to buy than the equivalent gas-only model.