2005 Hyundai Sonata Review: Probably the Best 2005 Mid-Size Under $3,500

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata comes up short in the modern-conveniences department. Airbags and CD players are about as high-tech as it gets here. But, it’s reliable, it’s fun to drive, and it starts at under $3,500. That’s hard to beat.

Is the 2005 Hyundai Sonata a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – Objectively speaking, the 2005 Sonata is kind of a C+ car. But it’s elevated to the B+ tier by low sticker prices and even lower cost of ownership.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The Sonata is roomier than it looks, but leg room in the back may be a bit tight for taller passengers.
• Reliability 8/10 – Your only big problem you need to look out for is corrosion in the subframe, which is easy to prevent with a coating of anti-rust spray.
• Safety 7/10 – The 2005 Sonata earned top scores in most crash tests, but standard safety features are pretty skimpy.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – i4 models get a pretty good 22/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and the V6 does 19/27. Not bad for a 2005 mid-size however you split it.
• Value 9/10 – Hyundai has always been the economy alternative to pricier Hondas and Toyotas, and the 2005 Sonata is one of the better alternatives they’ve produced.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?

Consumer Reports found the 2005 Hyundai Sonata to be convenient, comfortable, powerful, and smooth-riding. They liked the speedy acceleration and strong braking, but they note that it handles a bit sloppy in emergency situations.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Sonata a very strong 90% recommendation, offering special praise for the car’s fun driving feel, powerful engine, luxury-lite interior, and appealing body design. Among the few complaints you have engine noise and some awkward design choices, like the AC filter being placed in a tricky-to-reach spot.

Edmunds were big fans of the Sonata’s generous cargo space, smooth ride, and powerful V6. They weren’t so hot on the noisy inline-four engine, they found the legroom a bit tight in the back seat, and they considered the interior design to be bland and uninspired.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata Have?

Airbags have been a leading cause of concern for 2005 Hyundai Sonata drivers, making up nearly one in three of the vehicle’s 160 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers have reported the airbag light staying on, even when the car itself is turned off.

Drivers have reported excessive corrosion in the undercarriage of the vehicle, with 28 structure complaints on file in total, plus 24 for suspension. Rate of incidence is low, but, in affected vehicles, drivers are reporting shocks, struts, and subframes rusted almost all the way through.

A handful of drivers have reported brake lights staying on when the brakes are not being applied. There was also a small recall for brake lights failing to engage with the brakes in 2009.

In total, the 2005 Hyundai Sonata has just one recall on file with the NHTSA after nearly 20 years on the market, and fewer than 200 complaints. Those are pretty good numbers for a 2005 vehicle.

How Long Will the 2005 Hyundai Sonata Last?

Drivers typically report a range of 200,00 to 250,000 miles for a Hyundai Sonata. There are some reports of the odometer passing 300,000, but that’s more likely to happen if you’re buying new and never skipping an oil change. If you can’t vouch for the previous owner, expect a maximum lifespan of 250,000 miles.

RepairPal estimate an annual repair cost of just $458 for the Hyundai Sonata, with the most expensive common fix being a new airbag control module, starting at around $717.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2005 Sonata is pretty basic, even for 2005. The entry level model comes with a CD player with six speakers, and so does the high-end LX. Hyundai has always been sort of a budget-friendly brand, so this should come as no surprise.

Safety technology is adequate, if unimpressive. You’ve got full airbags and occupant sensors, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.

Is the 2005 Hyundai Sonata a Good Value?

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata is a very, very good value. The entry level GL typically lists for around $3,272 and the high-end LX lists at around $4,252. When you combine that with a very low cost of ownership, you’ve got a pretty sweet deal on your hands.

It may be lacking in certain features that we’ve come to take for granted in newer vehicles, but it’s one of the very best vehicles you’re going to find for under $3,500, if not the best.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?

The 2005 Sonata is offered in three trims, from the base GL to the high-end LX.

With the entry-level GL you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Fog lights
• Remote keyless entry
• Manual air conditioning
• CD player with six speakers

The mid-range GLS adds: Automatic air conditioning

• Heated front seats
• Heated mirrors
• Woodgrain interior trim
• Deluxe cloth seating

Finally, the top-of-the-line LX features:

• Leather seating
• 8-way power driver seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

What Engines Come In the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?

• The base engine found in the Sonata is a 2.4L inline-four delivering 138 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. or torque. The i4 is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive, and averages 22/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Standard in the higher trim levels and optional in the GL is a 2.7L V6 delivering 170 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and averages 19/27 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?

The 2005 Sonata is as roomy as some SUVs, with 54 inches of hip room in the back. Suspension rides nice and smooth, as long as you don’t have any premature corrosion in the shocks and struts, but leg room can run a bit short in the back for taller passengers.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata Have?

The 2005 Sonata offers 14 cubic feet of trunk space, which is roughly average for sedans from this model year. You won’t be making any furniture deliveries with a Sonata, but you can store five or six medium sized suitcases no problem.

Inside you’ll find enough pockets, slots and cup holders for everything you need to carry with you. You won’t be stacking phones, notebooks and tablets on your lap.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata was first model year in the 5th Generation, running from 2005 to 2009.

2005: The 2005 Sonata debuted with a Theta i4 engine which was all- aluminum, a first for the automaker.

2006: The Sonata got a new round of crash tests for 2006, earning four stars from the Euro NCAP, an overall Good rating from the IIHS, and five stars from the NHTSA.

2007: No big changes for 2007, but trim levels got reshuffled, with the GLS now being the base model.

2008: The sporty SE trim was launched with high-performance tires and an 8-way driver seat for 2008.

2009: The Sonata got a facelift in 2009 with a new front fascia and 3 bar chrome grill.

How Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata Compare to the Competition?

The Hyundai Sonata is probably the very best 2005 mid-size sedan you’re going to find for under $3,500. The closest competitor would be the 2005 Ford Taurus, which delivers comparable mileage and sells in the same price range, but the entry level model only hits 153 horsepower, 17 horses shy of a V6 Sonata.

If you’re willing to spend a little extra, a 2005 Honda Accord delivers similar performance to the Sonata, but it’s a few MPGs more efficient, and the interior is generally higher in overall quality. It also starts at around $6,419, nearly twice the cost of a Sonata.

As far as budget cars go the Sonata may be a little bare-bones but it’s likely the best deal you’re going to find in this price range.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?