Faults:

The only issues mechanically with the car have been the recalls. There is a recall and a warranty extension for this model year of Sonata due to the engine's tendency to throw rods. There's also a recall for the seat belt pre-tensioner.

General Comments:

This car is good, albeit a little milquetoast. The turbo engine pulls nicely, but the transmission, which I keep in eco mode, is a little stupid, and acceleration is not even. There tends to be a power surge around 2500 RPM. The ride is comfortable, but there is some tire noise. Handling is compliant, but not at all athletic. Putting 18" tires on it is pointless. It doesn't make the handling any better, it just makes the ride worse.

My passengers like the heated rear seats, but the headroom in the back stinks thanks to the sloping roof line. On one occasion, a 5'7" passenger in the middle of the back seat toggled the rear light with his head when we went over a bump. The omission of power adjustment and auto up/down windows for the front passenger on a $32K car is an absolute sin.

The leather is comfy, the climate control works well, and the navigation touch screen is nice. The panoramic sunroof is a cool party piece. All said, if you want a car that is boring in good and bad ways, this is a good choice.

Faults:

I have had nothing go wrong with this car, and I've had it for a year and put almost 40 thousand miles on it.

General Comments:

The car runs beautifully. It's extremely reliable. I've barely had to do any maintenance besides the oil changes and I'll need a new set of tires before winter.

Also, my windshield was cracked due to a truck kicking back a rock, and it is a little pricey to replace due to the solar on the window and the heater.

Faults:

1) 33,000 miles: I bought the car from a Hyundai dealer; however, it was the second day of ownership and the car would have a growl or old creaking ship noise when braking. Just before I bought the car, the dealer replaced the brakes, but put in eco-friendly entry level brake pads. After being at the dealer 3x, they replaced the pads with upgraded ones for free and resurfaced the rotors, and I have never had an issue since.

2) 55,000 to present miles at 58,000: Lately I have been having an issue with the passenger side front seat. The passenger seat belt light will flash after making hard sharp turns. After the turn, the light will shut off. The dealer has tried to reset the system. Replaced the seat track where the sensors are located, but it still continues. I will be at the dealer tomorrow for the 4th time on the same issue.

General Comments:

This car really has been good to me. The engine defect did kinda of scare me, but every manufacturer has their issue. My 2.4 four cylinder engine is in the defect lawsuit that is plaguing many Sonata 2.4 engines. While making the engines, metal shavings were not cleaned from the cylinder walls. Thus over time, the metal caused excessive wear and eventually seizes the engine. It is mainly the 2011 and 2012 engines that are having this issue. But comparing it to the 2014 Chevy Cruze I had, this car blows it out of the water. I had the Cruze brand new with 16 miles on the car and had problems day one (CV axle replaced, coolant leak, list goes on, LOL).

The Sonata is pretty roomy. I do wish the rear passengers had more head room, but overall, even with my seat a good 70 percent rolled back, the back seat people have plenty of room. The trunk is crazy huge; I was amazed at what I could stuff in the trunk.

Gas mileage could be better, but is not horrible. Mainly city with one or two days highway. For Minnesota weather, below 32 degrees, I get about 20 MPG combined (negative degree weather, forget all about gas mileage, your car is just trying to survive at that point). Between 32-50 degrees, I can get about 21-22 MPG. Above 50 degrees and the weather is very warm, I can get 25ish MPG. (** all depending on my driving style**!!)

The ride control is very nice and smooth, but I do wish the car was not so noisy. I can definitely hear a lot of road and wind noise. On some phone calls, people think I have my window open. The engine does sound bit "tingy" like a four cylinder. I want a V8 power and sound, but there goes my gas mileage. Haha. The car has really nice throttle response. Very nice, peppy go for a four cylinder engine. I can haul butt when I want to. That also may be why my gas mileage is so random. Haha. I drove to central Illinois and it was very comfy for the 7 hour and 450 mile ride there.

I get my oil changes every 5,000 miles at the dealership. I put in synthetic oil, and suggested items like injector flushes just to help protect the engine a little more. Everything I do to this engine and/or car, I have done at the dealer (except tires, I bought elsewhere).

I have the Limited model, which has sunroof, leather, 17" wheels, but I do wish I had the touch screen navi, but my car insurance thanks me because they said if I did, rates would go up.

*** In the 1 year and 3 months, I really do love this car. I didn't rack up nearly 25,000 miles in just over a year for nothing. Haha. I really would look into buying another Hyundai. BUT... I am only at 58,000 miles, I have not owned this car long enough to see how long the parts will last and how much that will be to fix. This was more of how reliable is it and can I sit in the car without hurting? It is reliable and yes comfy enough to last a 7 hour drive without problems. Haha.