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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $21,850–$26,774 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Base is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $21,850–$26,774, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Sonata Base sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Base will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Base ranks #494 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $21,850 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 21%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Sonata Base model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $29,612 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $28,750 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $27,887 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $27,025 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $26,162 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $25,300 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $24,437 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $23,575 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $22,712 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $21,850 | |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $20,987 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.