U.S. News & World Report has given the 2017 Hyundai Sonata the accolade of “Best Midsize Car for the Money.” Not only does this give it some major bragging rights about its modest starting MSRP of $21,600, but it also marks the third year in a row that a Hyundai vehicle has received this recognition. But, much more than just the price was taken into consideration. After all, what good is a cheaply priced vehicle if the vehicle itself is, well, cheap? With its competitively affordable price and good quality build, it’s not surprising the Sonata would also have a few feature highlights that are worth mentioning.
Let’s take a closer look so we can better understand why the 2017 Sonata is able to brag about this prestigious recognition.
The Competitive Price
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has a starting MSRP of $21,600 — how does that fair compared to the other 2017 mid-size sedans on the market? Quite well, actually.
For domestic brands, the 2017 Ford Fusion comes in at a starting MSRP of $22,610, a 2017 Chrysler 200 is $22,115, and a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu starts at $21,680. The Sonata is even beating many of the imports when it comes to price, like the 2017 Kia Optima ($22,200), 2017 Nissan Altima ($22,500), 2017 Mazda6 ($21,945), 2017 Subaru Legacy ($21,995), and 2017 VW Passat ($22,440).
The new Sonata is actually one of the cheapest mid-size cars on the market, and that price point doesn’t go to its head. It still offers a quality ride, something that U.S. News & World didn’t overlook when considering this distinction.
Not Just About the Price
The 2017 Hyundai Sonata delivers everything you’d want from a mid-size family sedan. It has a spacious interior with seats that are comfortable for long trips, and silky-smooth ride quality even at highway speeds. The tech on the inside is all exceptionally user-friendly, and using the navigation and entertainment system is a breeze. Hyundai also received exceptional crash test ratings (a perfect five-star overall rating by the NHTSA), and has a ten-year engine warranty that’s there to provide you with even more peace-of-mind.
Many experts agree those are among the Sonata’s best qualities. As you can see, it’s quite an extensive list. Those aren’t even the feature highlights, but just a few perks that websites like Edmunds wanted to highlight about the 2017 Hyundai Sonata.
Feature Highlights
Some of the standout features spread throughout the trim levels include: wood grain trim, leather upholstery, adaptive xenon headlights, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, rear window sunshades, 8-inch touchscreen display, premium Infinity nine-speaker audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and so much more.
Even if you pick the base model, you’re going to have a more upscale feel. If you decide to upgrade to the top-shelf Limited 2.0T trim, then you can expect to feel like you’re driving around in a high-end luxury model, not a mid-size family sedan. Apart from the abundance of features, it’s the value that both the base trim and top-of-the-line trim (along with all the other trims in between) are able to offer. That’s what makes it a well-deserved recipient of the Best Midsize Car for the Money designation.
