In December 2024, the revised Sonata went on sale in the United States with a starting price of $27,500 for the well-equipped SEL. Fast forward to the 2025 model year, and Hyundai has made its nearly thousand-dollar midsizer more affordable with the introduction of a new trim.
Enter the 2025 Hyundai Sonata SE, which can be yours for a cool $26,650 plus $1,150 in delivery. In addition to that trim level, the South Korean manufacturer has repositioned the SEL Convenience package as a separate trim level. That, in turn, means the Sonata now comes in seven distinct flavors.
Hyundai previously offered the Sonata SE for the 2023 model year. While it’s unclear why this version was reintroduced for 2025, it’s likely that Hyundai is aiming to increase market share. What do you get for your $26,650 before destination and optional extras? The answer is quite a few goodies, starting with 16-inch alloy wheels, lane keeping assist, over-the-air updates, and four USB Type-C charging ports.
The list continues with wireless Android Auto and wired Apple CarPlay for the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluelink Connected Car Services with Bluelink+, hands-free smart boot opening, automatic headlight control, a total of nine airbags and the 2.5-litre four-cylinder Smartstream engine with direct and indirect injection.
The Saind powertrain is connected to an eight-speed automatic, while the Sonata HEV SEL and Sonata HEV Limited come with a six-speed automatic. Hybrids are downsized to a 2.0-liter mill, though it more than makes up for the lost displacement with a turbocharger. Slotted above the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter and turbocharged 2.0-liter, the N Line sports a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine.
Photo: Hyundai
Instead of a torque-converter automatic, the sportiest version of the bunch features a dual-clutch transmission with, of course, wet clutches. Pricing for the Sonata N Line starts at $35,250 for the 2025 model year, while $31,000 gets you the fuel-efficient Sonata HEV SEL spec.
Hyundai claims up to 47 miles per gallon (5.0 liters per 100 kilometers) in hybrid form, 32 (7.4) for the naturally aspirated 2.5er, no more than 28 (8.4) with all-wheel drive and 27 miles per gallon (8.7 liters per 100 kilometers) for the Sonata N Line. In terms of peak power, expect 191 horsepower for the 2.5 engine with front- and all-wheel drive, a total of 192 horsepower for the hybrid and 290 horsepower in the case of the 2.5-liter turbo.
Unfortunately, there’s no all-wheel drive option for the Hybrid or the Sonata N Line. By the way, the 2025 model year also saw the Sonata N Line add console-mounted air vents for second-row occupants. As for the $30,800 Sonata SEL Convenience, it builds on the $27,750 Sonata SEL with the addition of a panoramic sunroof, nicer wheels, LED interior lighting, satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an anti-glare rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Digital Key 2.0 Premium.
In the first six months of 2024, Sonata sold 31,147 units in the United States, compared to 27,334 in the same period in 2023. For the full year, sales are expected to be 45,344, down 18% from the 55,131 vehicles delivered during calendar year 2022.