With the introduction of affordable compact SUVs, the midsize sedan market has shrunken a bit over the years, but it doesn’t make this section any less competitive. Something new was needed to face these revamped giants, that’s where the 2018 Hyundai Sonata comes in.

The Hyundai Sonata has always been popular amongst those who like a comfortable and affordable family sedan, and now with enhancements in design, safety, driving dynamics, and value, Hyundai is set to increase its fan base. Starting at just $ 19,950, the Sonata is a bargain for what it has to offer. There are 3 engine choices, all of which are inline-4: a base 2.4-liter engine, a turbocharged 2-liter engine, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine.

Apart from the standard features, there are many optional features so you can configure your Sonata the way you want. If you are ready to spend around $ 10,000 more than the base price, opt for the Limited 2.0T trim. It is fully loaded with all the standard and optional features that the 2018 Hyundai Sonata has to offer. However, if you're not a lavish spender, then go for the Eco trim. It comes packed with a long list of standard features and is powered by Hyundai's efficient 1.6-liter engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Earlier Price: $12,550 (12 Nov 2024)

Bentonville Motorsports

2018 Hyundai Sonata Eco

Eco 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Earlier Price: $14,999 (7 Oct 2024)

Green Light Auto Sales

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Crossroads Used Cars Inc.

2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL

SEL 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 185 hp 6A)

2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL

SEL 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Earlier Price: $13,000 (13 Nov 2024)

2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL

SEL 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

2018 Hyundai Sonata User Reviews

Overall Rating: 3.0 (1 Reviews)

jcf

James c franklin

2018 Hyundai Sonata

••3.0

Posted On: March 20, 2024

The 2018 Sonata Sport Plus

Pros
The lines and the quiet cabin, it is also equipped with a suite of safety features that serve me well. Blind spot detection, with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, I really appreciaRead more

Cons
This vehicle had come with a telematic system called bluelink, which gave the owner the ability to be always connected to the vehicle. with unlimited range I could lock or unlock my vehicle and start Read more

this vehicle is equipped with the sporty look of nice lines, accented smoked out head lamp lens, Leather sued seats that are heated, an electronic parking brake, a very nice safety suit. Blind spot detection, that would pick up vehicles in your blind spot from three car lengths or shorter, if you are to signal while a vehicle is in your blind spot, the system would give you an audible warning as ... Read more

2018 Hyundai Sonata Review

Pros

Adequate Trunk Space
Comfortable Seats
User-friendly Technology
Loads of Standard safety equipment
10-year powertrain warranty

Cons

Underpowered base 2.0L engine
No AWD
Sloping roofline hinders rear headroom
Average legroom at the rear

Overview

Pricing and Features
8.0/10

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata comes in seven trim levels: SE, Eco, SEL, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0T, and Limited 2.0T. The SE trim was a step up from the base trim last year but now is the entry-level trim. However, it is still cheaper than most rivals. There are 3 engine choices, all of which are inline-4: a base 2.4-liter engine for SE, SEL, Sport, and Limited trim, a turbocharged 2-liter engine for Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine for the Eco trim.

Trims	SE	ECO	SEL	Sport	Limited	Sport 2.0T	Limited 2.0T
MSRP	$ 22,050	$ 22,650	$ 23,700	$ 25,200	$ 27,400	$ 27,600	$ 32,450
Features	Standard Features-	All features of SE	All features of SE Plus-	All features of SEL Plus-	All features of SEL Plus-	All features of Sport Plus-	All Standard and Available features of all trims
	Automatic headlights		17-inch wheels	Sports styling including a front grille	Power sunroof	18-inch wheels
	Power-folding front mirrors		Keyless entry and ignition	Power sunroof	Dynamic LED headlights and taillights	Sport-tuned steering
	Cruise control		LED daytime running lights	Flat bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters	Auto-dimming rearview mirror	Larger front brakes
	60/40-split folding rear seat		Hands-free smart trunk access	Leather-wrapped shift knob	Six-way power passenger seat	Sport-tuned suspension
	7-inch touchscreen display		Heated side mirrors	Leather sports seats with cloth inserts	Driver-seat memory settings
	Six-speaker sound system		10-way power-adjustable driver seat	Sport-specific interior trim	Front-seat ventilation
	Android Auto and Apple CarPlay		Heated front seats	Chrome rocker panels and a chrome-tipped dual exhaust	Full leather seats
					Dual climate control
	Rearview camera		Leather-wrapped steering wheel		Woodgrain appearance trim
	Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert		4.2-inch color trip computer

Just like the engines, there are three transmissions as well. The 2.4-liter engine (SE, SEL, Sport, and Limited trim) is paired to a 6 speed automatic, the 2-liter engine (2.0T trims) is paired to the new 8-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.6-liter engine (Eco) is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

We Recommend

Engine and Performance
7.9/10

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata offers 7 trims, 3 engines, and 3 transmission options. All the engines are inline-4 and each engine type is paired with a different transmission. The base engine doesn't impress with its performance, so it's a good idea to upgrade to one of the other engines.

Even though the base motor is unimpressive, it has adequate power on tap for urban driving conditions and possesses some decent refinement levels as well.

Models	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
MSRP	$ 19,550	$22,500	$ 23,345	$ 23,495
Engine	2.4 L Inline 4	2.4 L Inline 4	1.5 L Inline 4	2.5 L Inline 4
Transmission	6-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	CVT Automatic	8-speed Automatic
Power	185 hp @ 6000 rpm	185 hp @ 6000 rpm	192 hp @ 5500 rpm	203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque	178 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm	178 Lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm	192 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm	184 ft-lbs. @ 5000 rpm

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is considerably cheaper than most competitors, but the numbers aren't less only in the price department, the power and torque numbers also dwindle on the shallow side. The Kia Optima matches the Sonata's power and torque numbers but costs more. The Camry puts up the best numbers for the base trims.

Acceleration

The base engine of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata generates an average horsepower of 185 hp. It's easy to feel the engine struggle under heavy acceleration. Though not too loud, the engine tends to get noisy if you want to use it for more than just daily drives. The base engine mated with the smooth 6-speed transmission would satisfy most drivers, especially due to the excellent fuel economy that Sonata provides.

If, however, you crave a faster and sportier ride, consider the 2-liter engine in 2.0T trims. The engine is mated to an 8-speed transmission for the year 2018. This duo creates quick acceleration and plenty of torque. Hyundai Sonata takes 6.8 seconds to reach 0-60mph.

Models	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
0-60 MPH	6.8 sec	6.8 sec	7.3 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter mile	15.8 sec	15.2 sec	15.6 sec	16.4 sec
Top Speed	130 MPH	157 MPH	124 MPH	129 MPH
Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year	6.8	6.1	5.3	5.2

Although the base engine lacks much power, it is quicker to reach 60 mph from a stop than the base engines of the rivals. The Kia Optima matches Sonata's 0 - 60 mph time but surpasses it by 0.6 seconds on the quarter-mile mark. Even the Accord's base 1.5-liter engine lags behind Sonata in the 0 - 60 mph test but beats the Sonata in the quarter-mile test.

How good are the brakes in the 2018 Hyundai Sonata?

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is equipped with all-around disc brakes. The brakes are assisted by a host of electronics, which include a 4-channel ABS and EBD, which aids the braking performance. The Sonata gets 12.6-inch solid disc brakes at the front and 11.2-inch disc brakes at the rear. The car takes up to 121 ft to come to a complete stop at 60mph.

Model	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
Front Brakes (in.)	12.6	12.0	11.5	12.0
Rear Brakes (in.)	11.2	11.2	11.1	11.1
Stopping Distance	121 ft	112 ft	135 ft	122 ft.

Even on hard braking, the Sonata feels stable. The ABS works exceptionally well to prevent any kinds of unwanted skidding. The Kia Optima gets larger brakes when compared to the Sonata, and the stopping power is much more with the more sophisticated electronics. The Camry comes to a hat at a decent stopping distance of 122 ft.

Handling and Steering

The Sonata's steering provides nice feedback to the driver. Even turn-ins are fairly quick. The steering assist can be altered to suit your driving style, though the normal mode feels right for most drives. There was an artificial heaviness in the sport mode.

A front-wheel-drive is standard throughout the trims, and Sonata provides lively handling for an FWD car. The pedals are responsive to inputs, and the cornering is pretty smooth. Thanks to a nice suspension, mid-corner bumps are almost unnoticeable, along with negligible body roll.

Fuel Economy
7.9/10

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata's base engine returns some decent numbers in the mileage department. The best numbers are put up by the Eco trim, which gives 28 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. All Sonatas come standard with 3 drive modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. The Eco mode changes the transmission, throttle, and steering response to enhance the fuel economy.

Model	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
mpg city	25	25	30	29
mpg highway	35	36	38	41
mpg combined	30	30	33	34

Another factor that Hyundai added to this year's Sonata is the pairing of their top trim engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which improves smoothness and economy. The Kia Optima goes neck to neck with Sonata, while competitors like the Honda Accord easily surpass them.

Interior
8.0/10

The interior of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata also gets a retouch, although not as prominent as the exteriors. A new stack retains its layout, but now hosts knobs and control of higher quality. The steering wheel gets a new three-spoke design with a better grip. The cabin has an elegantly simple design that is made with materials of high quality. The seats are comfortable and supportive.

The rear passengers might want more headroom due to the sloping roofline. This year's Sonata gets a larger trunk, making it the largest trunk in a Sonata ever. The five-seater 2018 Hyundai Sonata comes standard with cloth upholstery. The seats are comfortable and roomy in the front, although the rear seats may not be as welcoming to taller passengers due to the sloping roofline.

Model	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft3)	106.1	104.8	105.6	100.4
Front Row (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.4/55.3/57.9/45.5	39.8/56.0/58.1/45.5	39.5/55.3/58.3/42.3	38.3/55.4/57.7/42.1
Second Row (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38/56.1/56.5/35.6	37.8/56.0/56.4/35.6	37.3/55/56.5/40.4	38/54.7/55.7/38

Some of the optional upgrades include leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, sport seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. Those who have children in their family should note that the LATCH car-seat system is quite frustrating. The top tether anchors are fine, but the lower anchors are located too deep into the seat. The standard features in the new 2018 Hyundai Sonata include:

Power sunroof
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Lane departure warning
Lane keep assist
Rear parking sensors
Pedestrian detection
Automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control.
Rearview camera
Blind-spot monitoring
Lane change assist
Rear cross-traffic alert.

Infotainment

The latest system by Hyundai, which is also fitted in the Sonata, offers one of the most user-friendly interfaces available in the class. Most rivals have slight issues with the voice input, but Sonata understands voice commands just fine. The touchscreen is responsive to touch input without any lag.

Smartphone connectivity is a breeze, thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which come standard in the 2018 Hyundai Sonata. This is a big plus, as most competitors have these features as optional, if available at all. The Blue Link infotainment system is easy and useful, and available wireless charging is an amazing addition. Available features include a nine-speaker Infinity premium audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and wireless device charging. Few key features include-

USB port
Six-speaker sound system
7-inch touch-screen display
8-inch touchscreen with navigation (opt)
Nine-speaker Infinity premium audio system (opt)
Hyundai's Blue Link Connectivity
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
HD Radio
Satellite navigation

Cargo

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has a larger trunk than its predecessors. The only rival that provides a better cargo space is the Honda Accord, thanks to its magic seats and broad trunk. The rear seats fold in Sonata as well, providing space for larger items.

Model	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
Trunk volume (ft.cube)	16.3	15.9	16.7	14.1

The trunk release in the new Sonata is hidden in the Hyundai logo. Pushing the area between the ring and the 'H' opens up the trunk. Contrary to the hands-free feature for opening the trunk in most cars, which uses a gesture like swiping the leg under the rear spoiler, Sonata's trunk opens automatically if you stand near the trunk with the key fob in your pocket.

Exterior
6.9/10

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has always been a good-looking sedan in the segment, and with the current year model, it continues to remain so. The proportions are balanced and not blown. The Sonata is one of the most handsome looking sedans in the segment. The distinctive elegant styling and sharp body lines give it an upmarket appeal. Unlike the slew of optional package options last year, the 2018 model comes with only one option pack namely the Midnight Edition package that adds Black Wheels, Body-Colored Front Grill, Black Door Handles, and Black Step Rails on the diesel SL and SV variants.

The panoramic sunroof that was available till the last year is now replaced with an optional tilt-and-slide unit. This is done to reduce the weight of the car for a better fuel economy. The most eye-catching feature of the new 2018 Hyundai Sonata is its 'signature cascading grille,' which gives the illusion of undulating waves upon the hood. The lines are continued through the ridges in the grille. The contouring is not limited to the front but continues through the flank to the rear.

Model	Hyundai Sonata	Kia Optima	Honda Accord	Toyota Camry
curb weight(lbs.)	3589	3219	3131	3241
Length(in)	191.1	191.1	192.2	192.1
Width(in)	73.4	73.2	73.3	72.4
Height(in)	58.1	57.7	57.1	56.9
Ground clearance(in)	5.3	5.3	N/A	5.7
Wheelbase (in)	110.4	110.4	111.4	111.2
Track width(in) F/R	62.9/63.1	63.5/63.8	63/63.4	63.0/63.2

To improve Sonata's dwindling sales in the past years, Hyundai took great care to come up with a more appealing design for the year 2018. Almost the entire face in front of the A-pillars has been redesigned. Hyundai's new cascading grille design blends into the lower fascia for an aggressive face. The headlights also receive new LED running lights. For the Sport trim, there is a unique grille and fascia, along with dual exhaust tips.

Safety
9.8/10

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is named a 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This award by a reputed agency like IIHS shows the structural strength of the car. Also, Hyundai has kept the sedan filled with a variety of activities and safety features. Many of the features are available as an option with the sedan. Standard safety features in the new 2018 Hyundai Sonata include:

Rearview camera
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane change assist

Available features include:

Adaptive headlights
Lane departure warning
Rear parking sensors
Lane keep assist
Pedestrian detection
Automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control.

Competition
8.0/10

Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord

The 2018 Hyundai Sonata mainly rivals the everlasting hero, the Accord. The Accord is more durable with its unbeatable built quality, and the wide range of Honda support makes it the king of its segment.

The strong built quality is aided by a wide range of trims and engine options to choose from, making it accessible for a wider range of buyers. The Hyundai Sonata does try to beat the Accord with its sharp and sporty styling, which sets it apart from the rest of the competition.

Hyundai Sonata vs. Toyota Camry

The vast popularity of the Toyota Camry on the road is rightly justified by the car's performance. With a quiet and spacious cabin, tall passengers can enjoy a comfortable ride in either row of seats. Although Sonata has a larger trunk, Camry plays a close second with its above-average cargo space.

Power-wise, the Camry outperforms even the most powerful engine in Sonata's lineup. The ride quality, the infotainment system, the long list of standard and optional features, we can go on and on about how Camry does better than Sonata in almost all grounds, save for cargo storage. But the Camry costs substantially more than Sonata. In a way, Sonata can be a worthwhile choice if you don't want to spend as lavishly as you would have to on a Camry.

Hyundai Sonata vs. Kia Optima

In a market dominated by giants like the Accord or the Camry, it is imperative to find a winning formula that can tip the scales in your favor, and the Optima and Sonata seem to have landed on a similar formula. The two cars are almost identical in most aspects. They both share the same platform, engines, and transmissions to name a few.

The main difference lies in the styling. From inside and out, the two cars couldn't be more different. The Kia Optima boasts a sportier look, while Sonata opted for a more traditional look since its redesign. Even the interior designs are poles apart. So, there can't be a clear winner between these two. The preference would lie solely on what design the buyer likes.

Final Verdict
7.5/10

The all-new and refreshed 2018 Hyundai Sonata is one of the most value-for-money sedans in the market today. It has a spacious trunk, a smooth ride, supportive seats, and good mpg ratings. It also has a below-average base price for the class. Its main target is the budget-oriented crowd, so the lack of power and fun in driving can be overlooked.

Hyundai may consider the 2018 Sonata its best, but the Alabama-built sedan still needs more power to match its rivals. Competitors like the Toyota Camry match Sonata's comfort and smoothness while still providing power. If your budget allows you to go further than Sonata's price, consider Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord, which provide power, comfort, and luxury.

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2019 Hyundai Sonata Sedan

2017 Hyundai Sonata SE

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2018 Hyundai Sonata User Reviews

2017 Hyundai Sonata SE

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited hybrid Sedan

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

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2019 Hyundai Sonata Sport

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2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

2017 Hyundai Sonata Sport

2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2019 Hyundai Sonata SE

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

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2017 Hyundai Sonata Limited hybrid Sedan

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2019 Hyundai Sonata Sport

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About 2018 Hyundai Sonata

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

2018 Hyundai Sonata Eco

2018 Hyundai Sonata SE

2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL

2018 Hyundai Sonata User Reviews

The 2018 Sonata Sport Plus

ProsThe lines and the quiet cabin, it is also equipped with a suite of safety features that serve me well. Blind spot detection, with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, I really appreciaRead more

Cons This vehicle had come with a telematic system called bluelink, which gave the owner the ability to be always connected to the vehicle. with unlimited range I could lock or unlock my vehicle and start Read more

2018 Hyundai Sonata Review

Pros

Cons

Overview

Pricing and Features8.0/10

Engine and Performance7.9/10

Acceleration

How good are the brakes in the 2018 Hyundai Sonata?

Handling and Steering

Fuel Economy7.9/10

Interior8.0/10

Infotainment

Cargo

Exterior6.9/10

Safety9.8/10

Competition8.0/10

Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord

Hyundai Sonata vs. Toyota Camry

Hyundai Sonata vs. Kia Optima

Final Verdict7.5/10

Saved Cars

Pros
The lines and the quiet cabin, it is also equipped with a suite of safety features that serve me well. Blind spot detection, with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, I really appreciaRead more

Cons
This vehicle had come with a telematic system called bluelink, which gave the owner the ability to be always connected to the vehicle. with unlimited range I could lock or unlock my vehicle and start Read more

Pricing and Features
8.0/10

Engine and Performance
7.9/10

Fuel Economy
7.9/10

Interior
8.0/10

Exterior
6.9/10

Safety
9.8/10

Competition
8.0/10

Final Verdict
7.5/10