Long Live the Sedan: A Review of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Crossover SUVs are still all the rage in 2024, but the sedan is far from dead. Not only are sedans often more affordable, but there is something oddly familiar and comforting about a sedan. When thoughtfully designed and engineered for peak performance, the sedan can be as effective and efficient as any other vehicle on the road. There is surely a sedan for every type of driver, but in the midsize class, there may be proof that a quality sedan can be both practical and a blast to drive: the Hyundai Sonata.

Since 1985, Hyundai has been pushing the envelope when it comes to designing and perfecting the Sonata, even when this particular sedan wasn’t yet a household name. Forty years later, while the market is pushing crossovers, Hyundai is still finding ways to improve its sedan. It’s a compelling ride, with plenty of interior space and a hybrid trim level that offers a fuel-saving experience fit for any kind of driver. How does it far against everyday parent life? This Dad Driver finds out.

What this Dad Digs in the 2024 Hyundai Sonata

Miles to Go – Our time spent in the Sonata Hybrid saw the kind of fuel economy that you’d expect out of a modern-day hybrid in 2024. Coming in at 44 miles per gallon in the city and a whopping 51 miles per gallon on the highway, it’s certainly one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class. Perfect vehicle for family roadtrips or even long commutes to work.​

Refined Ride –  It might sound like a buzzword, but “refined” does indeed best describe the experience behind the wheel of the 2024 Hyundai Sonata. Handling is smooth and feels finely tuned, making for a comfortable drive. It’s not sporty, so expecting speedy acceleration will lead to some disappointment, but while the transmission can feel leisurely at times, it still retains a distinct confidence. Adding to the refinement of the whole experience is a very quiet cabin, thanks in part to the hybrid system.

The Classically Modern Exterior – The Sonata was visually refreshed in 2024 with some incredibly defining features and modern aesthetics that border on edgy and interestingly nostalgic. Hyundai managed to walk a fine line with Sonata’s visual enhancements, creating a car that looks both classic and modern. The best example of this is the Sonata’s profile, which reminds me of the best sedan styles of the 1990s, yet still looks fresh and sweepingly aerodynamic.  My favorite exterior features, however, are the distinctive front and rear designs. The front headlight slit that stretches across the nose and the black trimmed, squared off design of the taillights give off a cool 80s sci-fi vibe that I’m all here for. 

Roomy and Techy Interior – Inside, the Sonata is ultra cool in its minimalism and makes good use of its space. The dash is where Hyundai shows off crafty merging of functionality and style with the dual 12.3-inch displays – one half being for the digital gauge cluster and the other being the infotainment system. It’s an ingenious idea to connect the digital gauge and the infotainment screen together because the way they are positioned, they both serve the driver, first and foremost.

The interior is roomy – 1,200 cubic feet in total, to be exact – and I was pleased by the generous hip and leg room throughout. With my daughter’s car seats in the back, there was still plenty of room between where their seat ended and the back of the driver and passenger side seats began. The trunk comes with 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space available, which does fall slightly behind other sedans in this class, where the average cargo space lands at 16 cubic-feet or more. That being said, cargo space in the Sonata is generous, and I had more than enough room for all the superfluous gear that comes with driving my daughters around town.

What Gets This Dad’s Downvote

A Limit to Performance – The Sonata looks edgy and sporty, but it certainly drives like a hybrid and lacks that thrill of acceleration that its looks would suggest. The Sonata Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine that produces 192 horsepower. The engine performs admirably during normal driving conditions, but punch it a little and you’ll notice the transmission doesn’t adjust as quickly as you’d expect. It’s tough to beat the fuel economy of the hybrid system, though. The Limited trim level we tested garnered 44 miles to the gallon city driving and a whopping 51 miles on the highway.

Dad Tip: If it’s performance you’re looking for and you don’t need the excellent fuel economy of the Hybrid version, take a look at the 2024 Sonata with the turbocharged 2.5L inline-4 engine. Paired with an 8-speed transmission, that engine version produces 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

What’s In A Name?

I’m one of those guys who likes to contemplate the meaning of a name, so when I looked into the origins of the word Sonata, I couldn’t help but make a connection with the overall experience of driving this sedan. Sonata comes from the Latin word “to sound” and is commonly used in a musical context. When it comes to Hybrid sedans, the 2024 Sonata sounds like music to the ears of anyone looking for excellent fuel economy at an affordable price. Starting at $31,950 the Sonata Hybrid falls into that economical sweet spot where an average car buyer can easily access the technology without breaking the bank.

Considering all the safety features that come standard on the 2024 Sonata, there is certainly lots to like here for Dad Drivers who want the perfect combination of functionality and style. Goes to show that the sedan is still a class of vehicle that works for any type of driver, let alone a family man. Or you could say, the Sonata is a sound choice for the sedan ehtusiaist in us all.