There isn’t much new going on with the 2023 Hyundai Sonata. Hyundai has initiated only one notable change: The 10.25-inch touchscreen and navigation have been made standard for the SEL. In 2022, you had to move up to the SEL Plus to gain the larger touchscreen.
Hyundai also makes a hybrid (HEV) version of the Sonata, which we detail elsewhere.
The 2023 Sonata returns with last year’s grade lineup intact. It consists of the SE, SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, and Limited.
Depending on your trim-level choice, your Sonata will come with one of three engines. Under the hood of the SE and SEL is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Powering the SEL Plus and Limited is a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. At the top of the offerings is a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which delivers thrust to the N Line.
A conventional 8-speed automatic transmission transfers engine torque to the front wheels of all grades but the N Line. This performance-oriented trim gets an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Drive Mode Select with five settings influences the throttle, shift mapping, and steering response.
Although sedans are losing market share to SUVs, Hyundai hasn’t lost confidence in the Sonata. It remains a roomy midsize 5-passenger 4-door sedan with loads of standard features no matter which grade you choose. It’s still a strong value proposition backed by a superb powertrain warranty (10 years or 100,000 miles). Compare the Sonata with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, and Kia K5.
Let’s see how each trim level fits into the Sonata story.
2023 Hyundai Sonata SE (starting at $24,950)
Powering the SE (and SEL) is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Transferring engine output to the front wheels is an 8-speed automatic transmission in all trim levels except the N Line. Fuel economy is a healthy 28 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg in combined driving.
The SE may be at the bottom of the Sonata food chain, but Hyundai still packs it full of convenience and safety features. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels and LED exterior lights (auto on/off headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights) lead the long standard-equipment list. High-beam assist, hill-start assist, and heated power outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals also make the grade.
In addition to cloth seating, the SE has manually adjustable driver and passenger seats and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, nine airbags, and remote keyless entry are standard, too. A 12-volt power port and a USB port round out the Sonata SE’s convenience features.
Keeping everyone entertained and up to date is an infotainment system overseen by an 8-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, a 6-speaker audio system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay complete the package.
Helping to keep you and yours safe is a comprehensive bundle of safety and driver-aid technologies. They include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Blind-spot monitoring with brake assist and rear cross-traffic alert come standard, too. Hyundai also includes safe-exit warning and a driver-attention warning.
Hyundai doesn’t offer any factory-installed options.
Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the SE’s base price brings the total to $26,045. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $468 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Sonata SE models for sale
2023 Hyundai Sonata SE includes:
High-beam assist – With this system, the high beams are always on. When photosensors or a forward-pointed camera detect oncoming headlights or taillights, the system automatically switches off the high beams. They’re switched back on automatically when no vehicle lights are detected.
Adaptive cruise control – Once you have engaged the system and set the speed, it will maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating as needed. The Sonata system features full stop and go.
Mirrors with integrated turn signals – These are heated power outboard mirrors with turn-signal repeaters installed on their outer shell.
2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL (starting at $27,475)
For about $2,500 more than the SE, the Sonata SEL packs a lot of extra features. Therefore, we think the SEL is the best value among the Sonata’s multiple trims. It uses the same 2.5-liter engine but loses one mpg from the SE’s mileage numbers across the board.
Hyundai employs sportier-looking front and rear facias on the SEL, which also gets 17-inch alloy wheels. Other enhancements include proximity keyless entry with push-button start, a hands-free power trunk lid, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Heated front seats, a rear-center armrest, and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard, too.
Other standard fare includes a 4.2-inch digital color driver information display, power height adjustment for the front passenger seat, and satellite-radio capability. The infotainment touchscreen grows to 10.25 inches to accommodate the added navigation system. Bluelink Connected Car with a 3-year subscription is also included.
If you like digital gauges, order the $2,200 Convenience Package. In addition to the 12.3-inch digital gauge display, you get Digital Key, 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also included are a second USB port, a panoramic sunroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Adding the destination fee to the SEL base price totals $28,570. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to about $513 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL models for sale
2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL includes:
Proximity keyless entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you approach. Push-button start pairs with proximity keyless entry.
Digital Smart Key – This system allows drivers to control certain functions of their vehicles through their smartphones. For example, you can lock and unlock the Sonata’s doors.
Bluelink Connected Car – This feature keeps you connected with your Hyundai. It rolls technologies like navigation, accident first-responder notification, and so forth into one app on your smart device.
2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus (starting at $31,975)
The SEL Plus begins with the SEL and adds its Convenience Package. But that’s not all. It also gains the 180-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The EPA fuel economy of this model is 27 mpg city/37 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.
Other welcome upgrades include paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, microfiber seat inserts, dynamic voice recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Hyundai doesn’t offer factory-installed options on the SEL Plus or the other upper trims. See 2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus models for sale
2023 Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus includes:
Paddle shifters – Mounted on the back side of the steering wheel, these levers upshift or downshift the automatic transmission.
Digital gauge display – This mammoth 12.3-inch digital display is configurable by the driver.
Bose audio system – Featuring 12 speakers, including a subwoofer, this audio system delivers concert-hall sound.
2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line (starting at $34,325)
Hyundai begins with the SEL Plus and its standard content to craft the N Line. But the 1.6-liter turbo gives way to a 290-hp turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The EPA mileage is 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.
This Sonata is the hot-shoe version, tweaked by Hyundai’s N performance division. The trim replaces some SEL Plus components with N Line versions, including N Line-styled front and rear fascias, 19-inch alloy wheels, sport front seats, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Hyundai also provides the Sonata N Line with high-performance tires and Highway Drive Assist.
Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the N Line base price equals $35,420. At 3% interest with no money down, financing for 60 months works out to about $636 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line models for sale
2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line includes:
N Line elements – The accessories from the N performance group include the front/rear fascias, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and front sport seats.
Performance engine – Powering the N Line is a 290-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It also generates 311 lb-ft of torque.
Dual-clutch automatic transmission – The advantage of a dual-clutch automatic? Measurably quicker and smoother shifts.
2023 Hyundai Sonata Limited (starting at $34,975)
As the top Sonata, the Limited builds on the SEL Plus. It also sources the same 1.6-liter turbo, and the Driver Mode Select system gains a Sport+ mode.
Rather than cloth seats with microfiber inserts, the Limited boasts leather upholstery. The driver’s seat and outboard mirrors also get memory.
Other standard 2023 Hyundai Sonata Limited features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and a HomeLink transceiver to operate your garage door.
Pumping up the safety and driver-aid technologies are a color head-up display, a surround-view camera, a blind-spot monitor, and front/rear park assist with reverse automatic braking.
Also notable: After exiting your Sonata, you can move it into a tight parking spot using the Digital Key via Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The Sonata Limited also has a semi-autonomous driver-assistance technology called Highway Drive Assist, which can accelerate, steer, and brake the vehicle in certain driving conditions.
Adding the destination fee to the Limited base price totals $36,070. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to approximately $648. Find 2023 Hyundai Sonata Limited models for sale
2023 Hyundai Sonata Limited includes:
Surround-view camera – It provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the Sonata Limited. These monitors are particularly valuable when parking.
Head-up display – A projector on the dashboard at the base of the windshield displays essential driver information on the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight. In the Sonata, the display is in full color.
Rain-sensing wipers – When the system senses moisture on the windshield, it automatically engages the wipers. The wiper speed adjusts according to the volume of the rain.
