Coming off a face-lift for the 2024 model year, the Hyundai Sonata sees the entry-level SE trim reintroduced for 2025, bringing the mid-size sedan’s base price down to $27,800 (all prices include $1,150 destination). The SE still includes a generous list of safety and tech features, only forfeiting a few features, like heated seats, in pursuit of its low price of entry. The price of last year’s base trim, the SEL, only increases $250 for 2025.
Related: 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review: A Refreshing, Comfortable Cruiser
Additionally for the new model year, the SEL Convenience is now its own trim level, and the N Line now comes with a console-mounted air vent for backseat passengers.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The 2025 Sonata is available with three different powertrains to suit buyers’ needs. The base Sonata is powered by a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 pounds-feet of torque; it’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the SEL trim level is available with all-wheel drive for an additional $1,500. The Sonata SE returns an EPA-rated 28/38/32 mpg city/highway/combined, the FWD SEL and SEL Convenience are rated at 25/36/29 mpg, and the AWD SEL clocks in at 25/34/28 mpg.
Buyers looking for an economical sports sedan will want to check out the Sonata N Line, which bolts a turbocharger to the 2.5-liter four and boosts output to 290 hp and 311 pounds-feet of torque. Only available with FWD, the N Line gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic for quicker shifts and a sportier feel and returns 23/32/27 mpg.
At the other end of the Sonata spectrum is the hybrid. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and a battery pack for a combined output of 192 hp. A six-speed automatic sends power to the front wheels. The hybrid gets an EPA-rated 44/51/47 mpg.
Availability and Pricing
The 2025 Sonata will go on sale soon. Full line pricing is as follows.
Sonata
- SE: $27,800
- SEL: $28,900
- SEL AWD: $30,400
- SEL Convenience: $31,950
- N Line: $36,400
Sonata Hybrid
- SEL Hybrid: $32,150
- Limited Hybrid: $38,600
Safety Features and Trim Levels
Hyundai didn’t delete any standard safety tech to create the SE trim. The entry-level Sonata still includes a comprehensive suite, including forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, intersection assist that watches for oncoming traffic during turns, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, driver attention warning, automatic high beams, safe exit assist and a rear-seat reminder.
In addition, the Sonata SE includes 16-inch aluminum wheels, LED front and rear lighting, and keyless entry and starting. It’s upholstered in cloth and has manually adjustable front seats, manual air conditioning and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as satellite radio.
Also coming in under $30,000, the Sonata SEL gets 17-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Stepping up to the SEL Convenience nets buyers 18-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, Digital Key 2.0 — which allows the owner to use a paired smartphone as the vehicle key — a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation and wireless device charging.
In addition to its gas-electric powertrain, the SEL Hybrid is a hybrid of the SEL and SEL Convenience, adding the Convenience’s Digital Key 2.0 and wireless device charging, plus a power-adjustable passenger seat, but leaving the rest of its upgrades for the Limited Hybrid.
It’s a big step up to the Limited Hybrid, but that $6,450 covers the moonroof, navigation and digital instrument panel, as well as a 360-degree parking camera, blind spot cameras, automated parking, a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside, the Limited features leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, rear-window shades and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
The N Line is a wholly different beast, riding on 19-inch wheels and featuring unique front and rear exterior styling, a quad-outlet exhaust, a rear spoiler and revised steering. It includes all the luxury and tech features of the SEL Convenience, plus synthetic-leather sport seats, aluminum pedals, ambient lighting and the 12-speaker Bose sound system.
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