Car shopping can be rough, and it’s not helped by the fact that you’re often looking at a vehicle with a half-dozen trims plus plenty of extra features and options available, all of which makes trying to find the right one with everything you need feel overwhelming. Some manufacturers are better than others at keeping things streamlined while still giving you plenty of options—and Hyundai is one of them.
You can see this when you start looking for a Hyundai Sonata for sale and discover that you only have a few big decisions to make before you get to the right trim. That being said, there are still some key factors to consider to make sure you get the right car that meets your needs, so today, I’m going to take you through what Hyundai offers for the 2024 Sonata and help you decide on which trim is right for you.
A Tale of Three Engines
One of the simplest ways to land on the ideal Hyundai Sonata is by deciding the kind of performance you’re looking for in your midsize sedan. There are four trims available for the 2024 Sonata, and we’ll look at them in a moment, but the three engines on offer are actually a better way to get started since they mostly match directly to the different trims. The choice essentially comes down to what your focus is: sticking to a tight budget, getting bold performance, or optimizing fuel efficiency.
The standard engine for the 2024 Hyundai Sonata is a 2.5L four-cylinder that begets 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with this engine, though all-wheel drive (AWD) is available, so keep that in mind if you prefer the traction of AWD. Ultimately, this is just fine for a car like this—not exceptional, but it gets the job done and offers a fun ride.
If you want peak performance from your Sonata, then there’s an available 2.5L turbo four-cylinder engine that cranks things up to 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. You can see that’s a huge boost in power compared to the standard engine; this one comes with an N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and FWD, though AWD is not available here. You also get a sport-tuned suspension with this setup, providing a fantastic driving experience that’ll put a smile on your face every time you hit the road.
Finally, there’s a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid engine available that offers 192 hp combined between the engine and battery-powered motor. Much like the standard engine, performance is good here, though this one is only offered with FWD and comes with a six-speed automatic. What is exceptional here is the fuel efficiency; the standard engine gets an estimated 25 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, while this one gets 44 MPG in the city and 51 MPG on the highway; that’s a massive boost for efficiency, so if conserving fuel is your primary concern, then you’ll want this engine. Keep these three engines in mind as we look at the four trim levels because they’re going to be a major factor.
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL
The SEL is the starting trim level for the 2024 Hyundai Sonata and the perfect choice if you need a great car that you can rely on and are shopping on a tight budget. This one starts at a significantly lower price than the other trims and it’s the only one that comes with the base engine, so if that works for you, then this trim can be a good choice. It doesn’t excel at performance or efficiency but does both just fine. You get 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, and a twin-tip single exhaust.
Inside the SEL, you’ll find premium cloth seating, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a six-way front passenger seat, and heated front seats. A 12.3-inch infotainment display is standard in every Sonata, and it comes with a manufacturer sound system and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display. There’s an available convenience package that adds some upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but those things aren’t standard on this trim. Overall, the SEL is a fine choice with the starting features.
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line
Remember that 290-hp turbo engine we looked at earlier? It’s only available on the Sonata N Line, so if you want that enhanced power, then this is the one for you. You’ll also get larger 19-inch wheels and unique exterior details like gloss-black side mirrors, N Line front and rear fascias, and a twin-tip dual rear exhaust. Inside, this beauty boasts unique sport seats with microfiber inserts to complement its enhanced performance, plus a unique leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.
A 12-speaker Bose premium sound system is standard in this trim, along with a wireless charging pad and LED interior lighting. You also get a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display joined with the infotainment screen to create a panoramic curved display across the dashboard. The N Line is the way to go for upgraded performance and an enhanced interior.
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL Hybrid
If optimal fuel efficiency is essential to you, and you liked the figures of the hybrid engine we looked at, then this is where you should start. The SEL Hybrid is the first of two trims that come with that hybrid engine; as the name suggests, it mostly comes with the same features as the SEL trim but with the hybrid powertrain. There are some badging differences since this is a hybrid model, plus it has a four-way power front-passenger seat and comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but otherwise, it’s much like the classic SEL trim.
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid
Finally, if you want the fuel efficiency of the hybrid engine and enhanced features inside and out, then the Limited Hybrid is for you. You get the hybrid engine here, along with upgrades that include a power trunk, rain-sensing wipers, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, you’ll find leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited Hybrid also comes with the 12-speaker Bose sound system, plus the panoramic curved display across the dashboard, LED interior lighting, and much more. This is the pinnacle of sophistication and technology for the Sonata.
Which Sonata Feels Right to You?
As you can see, since most of these trims are limited to a particular engine, it’s easy to start with the kind of performance you want and then go from there. I should note that every 2024 Sonata comes with Hyundai SmartSense, which includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go, a Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and much more. The Limited Hybrid does have some enhanced safety features, including a Surround View Monitor system (which gives you a virtual look at the area around your car) and Remote Smart Parking Assist (which lets the Sonata essentially park itself); otherwise, every 2024 Sonata trim comes with excellent driver assistance technology.
Once you consider which engine has what you’re looking for, you can choose your trim level based on that powertrain, and then you’re just about done picking your next Sonata. There are some extra packages and options available on certain trims, but most of the choosing is done!
