2019 Hyundai Sonata

Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the 2019 Sonata receives virtually zero changes, that the Hybrid Limited adds standard automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-start, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold and lane-keeping assist, that the standard infotainment is a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and that an all-new Sonata goes on sale for 2020. U.S. News (opens in a new tab) traces the car's history: CarPlay, Android Auto and a 7-inch screen became standard in 2016, and a 2018 refresh brought new styling, a retuned suspension and more driver safety features including blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection and lane-keep assist.

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) describes the range-topping Limited 2.0T with a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and the Eco with a 1.6-liter turbo and a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic in place of the SE's 2.4-liter and six-speed. KBB lists fuel economy from 23/32 to 28/37 mpg city and highway, and EPA rates the 2019 Sonata at 26 to 42 mpg combined and $1,500 to $2,400 a year in fuel.

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2019 Sonata, including the hybrid and plug-in versions, and 171 owner complaints: engine with 90, unknown or other with 25, exterior lighting with 18, fuel and propulsion system with 17, electrical system with 16 and power train with 12. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) scores the year 7.6 out of 10, above the segment average, but flags engine as the most-reported issue, with 73 complaints classified severe and failures clustering between about 32,000 and 125,000 miles.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists the cheapest 2019 Sonata, the SE, at a Fair Purchase Price of $10,750, with trade-in values from about $7,050 to $9,975 and private-party values from about $9,625 to $14,800 depending on trim. Given the engine complaint pattern, ask for service records and engine maintenance history.

EPA rates the 2019 Sonata at 26 to 42 mpg combined and $1,500 to $2,400 a year in fuel. The 2019 Toyota Camry rates 26 to 52 at $1,200 to $2,400, the Honda Accord 26 to 48 at $1,300 to $2,400 and the Nissan Altima 29 to 32 at $1,950 to $2,150. On EPA figures the Sonata Hybrid is less efficient than the Camry and Accord hybrids, and the Altima is the only one of the four offered with all-wheel drive.