2007 Hyundai Sonata Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
The Hyundai Sonata midsize car was re-launched last year as an all-new model, and Hyundai has now added even more features that give the car great bang for the buck.
The first-generation Sonata left Hyundai’s factories with a rounded, almost bulbous styling that was as awkward as it was boring. The 2006 redesign netted a completely new car with smooth lines and a grown-up feel. In higher trims, the Sonata benefits from larger 17-inch alloy wheels that give it an almost muscular and sporty look. Around back, the simple but attractive design continues with large taillights and a tasteful absence of huge logos and text.
The same theme that defines the Sonata’s exterior continues inside. The dash and centre stack are uncluttered, and the layout of buttons and controls puts everything within reach of the driver. Passengers in the spartan back seat are treated to a flat but comfortable bench and not much else. Rear headroom is generous thanks to a gently sloping roofline, and legroom is more than acceptable for all but the tallest adults.
Hyundai's cars haven’t traditionally offered the most exciting driving experience, and while the Sonata isn’t a thrill ride, it’s got more than enough power to leave an impression. The 2.4-litre inline-four delivers 162 horsepower to a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain through either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. That doesn’t sound like a lot of power, and it isn’t, but it’s enough to get the Sonata moving quickly when necessary. The manual gearbox’s shifts are crisp and solid, but the throw is a bit too long to give the car a truly sporty feel.
The larger and more powerful 3.3-litre V6 produces power specs of 234 hp and 226 pound-feet of torque through a five-speed automatic gearbox. Hyundai says the Sonata will do zero to 100 kilometres per hour in roughly 7.5 seconds with the V6 powertrain on board, which is more than quick enough for a family sedan. The five-speed automatic is responsive and works well around town, where stop-and-go traffic can sometimes cause stutters.
The Sonata handles competently but is less refined and controlled than the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry. There’s more body roll and movement than you get in the other two cars, but steering and braking are both direct and inspire confidence. Rough pavement gives the Sonata a hard time, especially with the larger wheels and tires that come with higher trim levels. Even small bumps and knocks make their way into the cabin, which can make for a busy and annoying ride on some road surfaces.
The new Sonata looks and feels more expensive than it is, and it represents a big leap forward for the model in terms of construction and materials quality. Hyundai has been hard at work trying to shed its budget brand image, and the Sonata’s interior is a great showcase of those efforts. There are still more cheap-feeling plastics than what can be found in an Accord or a Camry, but the majority of surfaces in the Sonata’s cabin feel premium and are attractively finished.
The centre stack features a stereo system that has been integrated into the dash, which gives a cohesive and tidy look to the cabin. Outward visibility is good in nearly every direction, but wide C-pillars obstruct blind-spot views in some situations.
The Sonata landed mixed results in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Front crashworthiness and the head restraints/seats were rated as "Good," but side crashworthiness only earned an "Acceptable" rating. Roof strength was rated as "Marginal." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Sonata five stars in all categories except rollover safety, which earned four.
Front airbags, front side curtain airbags, and front-row side impact airbags are standard safety features for the 2007 Hyundai Sonata. Traction control, electronic stability control, and antilock brakes are available on higher grades.
The model year 2007 Sonata is quite well equipped in its base trim level, and its price sweetens the deal even more. The GL starts at $22,295 in Canada, and though many people will opt for the optional automatic transmission, that drives the price up by only $1,300. The new GLS and four-cylinder engine pairing starts at $26,895. The GLS with the V6 starts at $27,895.
Fuel economy won’t generate many complaints, either. Sonatas equipped with the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission consume 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.3 on the highway. Upgrade to the four-speed automatic and you’ll consume 9.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 on the highway. With the V6 and the five-speed automatic, your fuel consumption will be 11.5 L/100 km city, 7.2 highway.
Note: Images show a US model.
User reviews for 2007 Hyundai Sonata
Write a reviewWhat users have asked
2007 Hyundai Sonata Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.44
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Dash trim: simulated wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.33
Exterior Features
Paint: pearl
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Infinity · Infinity premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Dash trim: simulated wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.33
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: aluminum · Paint: pearl · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated driver mirror
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive