Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.

A Hotter Hand than Honda? - 2015 Hyundai Sonata Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited September 2015 in Hyundai
imageA Hotter Hand than Honda? - 2015 Hyundai Sonata Long-Term Road Test

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata compares favorably to the Honda Accord, particularly in the warranty department.

Read the full story here


Tagged:

Comments

  • nuievenuieve Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2015
    To me the difference is in interiors. Accord's interior is very busy and ugly, I wouldn't want to spend a minute in there. Sonata's interior is a place of zen. I took it on a 2200 miles road trip last year - and loved every minute of it, still think as my wife's next car too. I also happen to like Sonata's look in person, very sleek and definitely more upscale if in a subtle way.
  • zimtheinvaderzimtheinvader Member Posts: 580
    " the vehicle comparator (it's gone by several names over the years)"

    I vote for comparatorinator
  • skisurf1skisurf1 Member Posts: 13
    I made this same decision (mistake) a few years ago. After 3 Hondas two of which I still own I bought a Hyundai Elantra over a Honda Civic. It was suppose to get good MPG however never did and now Hyundai pays me the difference. Also it blows giant smoke clouds from the exhaust every blue moon because of a known engine blow by issue. This is only my opinion, but Hyundai is not on the same filed with engine reliability as Honda. Just cruise the Hyundai forums for engine replacements.
  • bc1960bc1960 Member Posts: 171
    My personal benchmark is how much do I have to spend to get a moonroof? A couple years ago a nicely-equipped Sonata with a moonroof listed in the $26-27K range, the same as the Accord. Now a Sonata with a moonroof lists at almost $31K minimum, while an Accord is still $5000 less. The Sonata has more stuff, but to me it's not a good value because I don't need or want that stuff; and if willing to spend $31K, more alternatives come into the picture. At some point Hyundai resale/residual values will catch up to the quality of its newer models, but they haven't yet (my local dealer has a 2013 Equus with around 30K mi for $33K asking, more than 50% depreciation in less than 3 yr). Not a concern if you're keeping the car far-term and get a good discount, but a late-model low-mileage Hyundai is a better buy than a new one.
  • jorocojajajorocojaja Member Posts: 8
    Phillip, is searching for a fairly-priced, pre-owned Accord plug-in an option?

    I am rather biased because I have grown to hate wasting energy with braking and coasting (also on my second Leaf and waiting to lease an XC90 T8). I know you didn't write about the hybrid options of either car and maybe that is not on the radar for this decision, but I am sure you are aware of how lackluster the hybrid Sonata stats are in comparison to the Accord.
  • aspadeaspade Member Posts: 42
    Market perception lags reality. Hyundais aren't nearly as cheap as their reputation anymore. Hyundai resale values haven't caught up with the new asking prices.

    The best Camcord is a Camcord.
  • socal_ericsocal_eric Member Posts: 189
    I don't think I'd buy a 2.4L unless you were really trying to pinch pennies, but a couple months back when I was looking at mid-size sedans for some family members, the local dealers here in SoCal had enough incentives to bring the Sonata Eco with the Tech package (which includes tons of features like blind spot and rear traffic alert, 8" infotainment system, nice sound system, heater leather seats, etc.) down to around $22k. The Eco has the 1.6L turbo with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and as I recall Edmunds liked it much better than the 2.4L car currently in your long-term fleet.
  • tubbahzakitubbahzaki Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2015
    I sell Hyundais. You can buy a top of the line Sonata Limited w/ Ultimate pkg (full stop and go cruise control to 0mph, heated wheel, cooled seats, navigation, panoramic roof, and more) for $24,995 net cost + tax and fees at my dealership right now. It's insane. About $7,780 off sticker including dealer discount and incentives. It's currently about a $2600 loser and it is a much better discount than when I purchased my own Sonata - and I WORK THERE.
  • s1ginss1gins Member Posts: 51
    Several years ago I bought my wife a last gen Honda Accord and we both regret it. The car has no sound deadening, the engine is rough and the brakes are horrible. They tried something with linking diagonal wheels and the car runs through pads like nobodies business. I think about getting rid of it every time I drive it, luckily it is not my daily driver. IMO Honda lost track of what them great.
  • clownstrikeclownstrike Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2015
    bc1960 said:

    Now a Sonata with a moonroof lists at almost $31K minimum, while an Accord is still $5000 less. The Sonata has more stuff, but to me it's not a good value because I don't need or want that stuff; and if willing to spend $31K, more alternatives come into the picture.

    I'll assume you know better than to shop based on list prices and were embellishing your point. My guess is that the Hyundai is cheaper than the Sonata! Nobody has ever spent $31k on a non-hybrid Sonata. See @tubbahzaki post above ....

  • allthingshondaallthingshonda Member Posts: 878
    As my name says I'm a fan of Honda products but my girlfriend has a 2011 Sonata and I have to admit it's a good car. Other than the shark fin antenna needing replacement nothing has gone wrong with the car and she has over 50,000 miles on it. The 2.4 engine is no drag racer but it has no problem passing on two lane roads. The transmission is probably one of the best I have ever driven. Absolutely no shift shock when selecting gears and gear changes are silky smooth. However it doesn't get close to the advertised gas mileage. My TSX routinely does 2-3 mpg better even though Hyundai says the Sonata should get 5 mpg better on the highway. If you plan to keep the car for many years and over 100,000 miles get the Hyundai. If you plan to trade it in after a few years get a Honda, the resale value is much better than any Hyundai.
  • MCZCOKEMCZCOKE Member Posts: 18
    Make sure to also check out a 2016 Toyota Camry LE with a 6 speed auto, backup camera, moon roof, touch screen audio with Bluetooth, USB, and scout navigation for under $26,000 MSRP.
  • clownstrikeclownstrike Member Posts: 82
    allthingshonda said:

    If you plan to keep the car for many years and over 100,000 miles get the Hyundai. If you plan to trade it in after a few years get a Honda, the resale value is much better than any Hyundai.

    Great advice. As much as I enjoy my Sonata at the price I paid for it, the up front savings would be negated at resale time. I bought mine knowing I plan to keep it long term.
  • rysterryster Member Posts: 571
    edited September 2015
    I owned my 2.4L 2011 Sonata for 5 years and put 70,000 miles on it. When it came time for a new car, I looked at a new 2015 Sonata 2.0T Sport. Test drove it, dealer offered to sell it to me for $24K (sticker was $29K) and I walked away. Too many bad memories from my 2011, the biggest being the fact that it was using 1qt of oil every 1,000 miles. Despite the 2015 having the 2.0T, I didn't want to risk another 5 years of constant, little issues. Hyundais are an option if they are having a fire sale and you want a high content vehicle at a reasonable price. However, you should fully expect to have issues and get on a first name basis with your dealer.
  • nhepker1nhepker1 Member Posts: 13
    ryster said:

    I owned my 2.4L 2011 Sonata for 5 years and put 70,000 miles on it. When it came time for a new car, I looked at a new 2015 Sonata 2.0T Sport. Test drove it, dealer offered to sell it to me for $24K (sticker was $29K) and I walked away. Too many bad memories from my 2011, the biggest being the fact that it was using 1qt of oil every 1,000 miles. Despite the 2015 having the 2.0T, I didn't want to risk another 5 years of constant, little issues. Hyundais are an option if they are having a fire sale and you want a high content vehicle at a reasonable price. However, you should fully expect to have issues and get on a first name basis with your dealer.

    Why did you test drive it if you had so many bad memories and was going to walk away anyways? And Phillip do yourself a favor and at least test drive an Eco.
  • canddmeyercanddmeyer Member Posts: 410
    Don't let your wife see a 2016 Maxima or that'll be her next vehicle.
  • kirkhilles1kirkhilles1 Member Posts: 863
    People are talking resale, which is a two way street. If it's high (ie: Hondas) then buy NEW and sell it and get a lot back. For lower depreciation (like Hyundais) then buy USED and save a ton.

    To me, though, it's ALL about reliability. Warranty is one thing, but having to drop the car off at the dealership (and getting a friend/spouse to get you there and take you to where you need to be and the pickup as well) and having issues fixed over and over again will make you change your mind about a brand. Hyundai has come a LONG way, but I wouldn't buy one without a proven track record of excellent reliability. Lets face it, in the beginning, looks and minor details on the car are big deals, but soon, it's transportation to you. Having it get you to and from consistently without issue is when you start loving the car. Having problems makes you hate it.
  • clownstrikeclownstrike Member Posts: 82
    kirkhilles1 said:

    I wouldn't buy one without a proven track record of excellent reliability

    Fair enough point. But keep in mind there are only two auto manufacturers with generally excellent reliability across the board (based on the only independent source of which I'm aware - Consumer Reports). Those two are of course Honda & Toyota (incl. Acura & Lexus). In overall comparison with any of the remaining 30 or so brands listed, Hyundai would come out near the top.

  • jlaszlojlaszlo Member Posts: 60
    Get a Fusion or a Mazda 6 over these appliances.
  • tubbahzakitubbahzaki Member Posts: 6
    jlaszlo said:

    Get a Fusion or a Mazda 6 over these appliances.

    I don't really see why everyone always fusses about the Fusion. We've had a couple current generation Fusions on my lot and I find the Sonatas more enjoyable. The 2.0T models with the upgraded rack mounted power steering are especially fun.
  • dfrissdfriss Member Posts: 23
    If you plan to sell it yourself after a couple years, the transferable warrantee could mean something to your buyer. We are on our 3rd Hyundai, all purchased new (elantra, 2 sonatas). The new/used cost differential tilted us to new. We thought that they all offered excellent reliability and comfort in all seats. However, both sonatas have delivered acceptable but less than expected/published/whispered mpg - but we seldom drive at less than 70 on the highway so who knows what to really expect. The cool thing is that the gas tank size and mpg combine for a range far longer than our bladders ;) so we never have to stop just for the car.

    The truecar/warehouse club pricing on Sonatas is quite aggressive and we bought our sport with tech and premium packages (upgraded seats, gps and media, 'turning' backup cam etc) for less than what the local dealer wanted for the base sport. When we looked, we estimated that comparably equipped honda/toyota/ford models would have cost in the range of 10% - $2-3k more. We continue to be impressed with the looks, comfort and handling of the sonata and have had no reliability issues.
  • gslippygslippy Member Posts: 514
    "Hyundai has come a LONG way, but I wouldn't buy one without a proven track record of excellent reliability."

    Hyundai has been in the US for 30 years, and has offered the 10/100 warranty since 2000. This warranty hasn't bankrupted them yet, so it suggests they're doing something right. I've had 4 Hyundai/Kias, and still own 3 of them. They haven't been perfect, but very good.
    The only Honda I ever owned was a lemon (05 Odyssey), and the arrogant dealer was worse than the car. I bought a Honda for their good reputation, and got burned.

    I suggest buying the car that makes you happy; there's no point convincing yourself you like a car just because it's supposed to be reliable, because even that isn't guaranteed.
  • evil_dentistevil_dentist Member Posts: 2
    anything other than camry is a winner!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That warranty applies to the Powertrain only.

    I alwasy wondered why Honda and toyota didn't do the same thing so the Korean makes couldn't crow about what really isn't that big of a deal.

    With normal maintenance any modern car's powertrain will last a lot longer than 100K.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited September 2015
    It is interesting to note that the Prius warranty is 3/36 and 5/60. Pretty shabby (ignoring the 8/100 hybrid battery warranty). The Buick Encore comes in at 4/50 and 6/70. A 7/70 powertrain warranty helped entice me to buy an '89 Voyager back in the day.

    Some people pay attention to this stuff. :)
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited September 2015
    Oh, I know...some people really focus on how long a warranty is and that is why I think Honda and Toyota should match the Korean cars. I mean, add 100.00 to the price of the cars. Not much is going to happen between 60 and 100K.

    I'm sure there are some shoppers who buy Korean cars strictly because of that trivial warranty!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    FCA, GM, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota and VW all have the 60k powertrain per Consumer Reports. FCA and GM are notable for falling back to that level.

    I think a big part of it is that the longer warranties whack the extended warranty sales by the dealers, and that's a big profit center for them.
  • wil1974wil1974 Member Posts: 2
    @tubbahzaki@ Hyundai has flooded the market with these cars, the resale value is garbage.
  • wil1974wil1974 Member Posts: 2
    I have a pristine 20145 Sonata and I went to trade it in and they offer 11k on it. Ha! Last Sonata I buy. These cars are flooding the market. Im going back to Honda.
  • clownstrikeclownstrike Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2016
    wil1974 said:

    the resale value is garbage.

    Which is exactly what was predicted in the discussion above. Not sure why you bought a Hyundai expecting to sell it a year later and recover most of the cost. If you plan to turnover vehicles that quickly, you should consider the historical resale value. I've had mine for 18 months now and it's been flawless (not a single warranty - or other - fix required). I plan to keep it for a long time and reap the benefit of the modest purchase price.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles