1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Cargo room
- Ride
Cons
- Rear-seat comfort
- Automatic-transmission performance
Vehicle Highlights
Hyundai redesigned its biggest sedan for the third time, for 1999. Dimensions changed little, but the midsize front-drive 4-door displayed new rounded styling and contained standard front side airbags. Most notable of the improvements, though, was the new warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile basic, plus 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Base models again used a 4-cylinder engine, but increased from 2.0 to 2.4 liters and added 12 horsepower--originally 149, but later downgraded to 138. GLS sedans abandoned the previous single-cam V6 in favor of a new twincam 2.5-liter with 170 horsepower. Both engines came with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. All-disc brakes were standard on the GLS, which could be equipped with such options as antilock braking, traction control, leather upholstery, and a power driver's seat. A power sunroof was optional on both versions. Base sedans stuck with 14-inch tires, with 15-inch for the GLS, but the suspension was revised. At midseason, Hyundai added cruise control and remote entry to the base model.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Hyundai Sonata GLS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata.
Year to Year Changes
2000 Hyundai Sonata:
For its second season in this form, the base-model Sonata added some standard equipment, including cruise control, a folding rear seatback, and 15-inch wheels.
2001 Hyundai Sonata:
Hyundai launched a new sedan named the XG300 for 2001, so the Sonata was no longer the South Korean company's top model. A new GLS Leather version joined the lineup--essentially a GLS equipped with a former option package, including leather upholstery, a power driver's seat, and premium CD/cassette stereo. Antilock all-disc braking, teamed with traction control, was optional only on the GLS Leather sedan. A sensor system deactivated both passenger airbags if a child or an empty seat was detected.
Our road test for the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Sonata's suspension easily irons out most bumps, and the sedan rivals larger, more costly cars for overall comfort. Poor control of body motions is the penalty to be paid, a result of soft damping. Dips and creases can induce moderate bounding, and lane changes at highway speeds are sloppy. Nosedive also is significant, in emergency stops. Off-the-line punch with the V6 is decent. With automatic, a test V6 Sonata accelerated to 60 mph in 9 seconds, but passing power is modest. In addition, the automatic transmission is reluctant to kick down for passing, and "hunts" too much between gears in hilly terrain. As for economy, a V6 GLS averaged 22.4 mpg. All-disc brakes in a GLS provide stabile, reasonably short stops even without ABS. Tire thrum is noticeable on coarse pavement and some wind noise is evident, but otherwise the Sonata is fairly quiet. Front seats are sufficiently roomy and supportive for this sedan's class. Rear leg room is good but head room only adequate for 6-footers, who occupy a short, low cushion that compels a knees-up stance. The driving position is comfortably high and sufficiently adaptable, with good visibility except for rear corners. Entry/exit is easy up front but tight in the back. Switches are easy to see and use, but audio controls are on the small side. Interior storage includes front-door map pockets, a decently sized glovebox, and a useful center console. Trunk space is ample, with a low sill. Standard folding rear seatbacks are handy, though the trunk pass-through isn't very large.
Value for the Money
Though uninspiring, the Sonata is a well-equipped sedan, straddling the line between compact and midsize, which offers fair value. Despite several drawbacks, including tepid acceleration and unsporty handling, it's worth a try. Mediocre resale value translates into appealing prices on the secondhand market.
Though uninspiring, the Sonata is a well-equipped sedan, straddling the line between compact and midsize, which offers fair value. Despite several drawbacks, including tepid acceleration and unsporty handling, it's worth a try. Mediocre resale value translates into appealing prices on the secondhand market.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Hyundai Sonata GLS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Hyundai Sonata includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Hyundai Sonata .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
If the CD player locks up, it can be reset by removing the "short connector" in the fuse panel for ten seconds or longer. (1999)
Automatic transmission:
Automatic transmissions may not go into drive or reverse after the car has been parked several hours because the torque converter drains down through the front pump. Hyundai was replacing the transmission under warranty. (1999)
Fuel pump:
A restriction in the on-board vapor-recovery line may cause gas-station fuel pumps to click off when refueling. (1999-2000)
Hard starting:
Hard starting or rough idle on 2.4-liter engine after a fill-up might be caused by stuck canister purge valve. Replacement required. (1999-00)
Manual transmission:
A countermeasure synchronizer, first and second gear and shift-fork kit is required to correct hard-shifting manual transmissions. (1999-2000)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $880 |
| Alternator | $370 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $710 |
| Brakes | $260 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $435 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,040 |
| Exhaust System | $775 |
| Radiator | $465 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $850 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $190 |
Our price chart for this generation Hyundai Sonata details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2001 | |||
| Sonata | $2,600-3,300 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| 2000 | |||
| Sonata | $2,300-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1999 | |||
| Sonata | $2,000-2,600 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Hyundai Sonata include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 106.3 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 185.4 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 71.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3065 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 13.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.2 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.3 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Base models got a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 149 horsepower, but the GLS sedan contained a twincam V6 rated at 170 hp. In 2002 Hyundai announced that it overstated the horsepower number on 4-cylinder models and revised that number to 138. Both engines could work with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V6 | 2.5 / 152 | 170 | 166 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 4-speed automatic: 20/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 22.4 |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 146 | 138 | 156 | 5-speed manual: 21/30 4-speed automatic: 21/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Hyundai Sonata include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1999-2001 Hyundai Sonata directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1999-2000:
Certain sedans with 2.5-liter V6 engines may experience intermittent low-speed engine stalling.
1999-2001:
Unusual motion of the side-impact airbag wiring harness and side-impact airbag wiring harness connector can cause the airbag warning light to illuminate.
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