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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $34,053–$43,928 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Hyundai Sonata S at 8.0/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 7.2/10 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. We score reliability at 8.3/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.2/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.9/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $34,053–$43,928, 33 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Sonata S sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.2/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Hyundai Sonata S is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2025 Hyundai Sonata S ranks #201 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 85% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $34,053 starting price is about 23% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Hyundai Sonata S scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 8.0 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $34,053 | |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $33,062 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $32,070 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $31,078 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $30,086 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $29,094 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $28,102 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $27,111 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $26,118 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $25,127 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.3/10 | $24,135 | Read review → |
We rate the 2025 Hyundai Sonata S's reliability 8.3/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #201 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 85% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata S starts at $34,053 and ranges up to $43,928 across trims (MSRP when new). At 33 MPG, expect roughly $1,591/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.