Hyundai Sonata MPG — Real Fuel Cost by Engine and Year

Quick answer

The Hyundai Sonata does 27.8 mpg combined (25.0 city, 32.5 highway), which works out to about $1,381 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 47.3 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 18.1 — a difference of $1,310 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.

Everything on the Hyundai Sonata

Recalls150 campaigns Reliability4.5/5 Common problems16,071 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space16 cu ft Used prices2,069 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1989–2026

Every Hyundai Sonata engine, compared

Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Hyundai Sonata fuel economy by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
2L 4-cyl Hybrid	47.3	44.8 / 50.3	2016–2026	$812
2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid	36.6	34.6 / 38.4	2011–2015	$1,049
2.5L 4-cyl	31.6	27.6 / 37.7	2020–2026	$1,215
1.6L 4-cyl	31	28 / 36.4	2015–2019	$1,239
2.4L 4-cyl	23.9	20.7 / 29.7	1989–2014	$1,607
3.3L 6-cyl	21.6	18.6 / 28	2006–2010	$1,778
2.5L 6-cyl	21	18 / 26	1999–2001	$1,829
2L 4-cyl	20.9	18.4 / 25.4	1992–1998	$1,837
2.7L 6-cyl	20	17.3 / 25	2002–2005	$1,920
3L 6-cyl	18.1	15.9 / 22.1	1989–1998	$2,122

ROWS 10·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.02·Hyundai Sonata fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile	$0.115
Fuel per year	$1,381
Fuel over five years	$6,905
Against other 4-cyl cars	−$131 a year
EPA's own estimate	$2,472 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.

FIG.03·Hyundai Sonata city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City	25.0 mpg	$1,536 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	32.5 mpg	$1,182 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+7.5 mpg (30%)	Wide — this car dislikes traffic

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the Sonata changed over the years

Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.

FIG.04·Hyundai Sonata fuel economy by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2026	41.5	37.5 / 47	2	$925
2025	39.5	36 / 44.5	2	$972
2024	38	34.5 / 43.5	2	$1,011
2023	42	39 / 46	2	$914
2022	42	39 / 46	2	$914
2021	42	39 / 46	2	$914
2020	42	39 / 46	2	$914
2019	36.5	34 / 41.5	2	$1,052
2018	36.5	34 / 41.5	2	$1,052
2017	36.5	33.5 / 40.5	2	$1,052
2016	36	33.5 / 39	2	$1,067
2015	34	31.5 / 37	2	$1,129
2014	32	29.5 / 36	2	$1,200
2013	32	29.5 / 36	2	$1,200
2012	31.5	29 / 36.5	2	$1,219
2011	31.5	29 / 36.5	2	$1,219
2010	23.5	20.5 / 30.5	2	$1,634
2009	23.5	20.5 / 30.5	2	$1,634
2008	23.5	20 / 29.5	2	$1,634
2007	23	19.5 / 29	2	$1,670
2006	23	19.5 / 29	2	$1,670
2005	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
2004	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
2003	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
2002	21.5	19 / 26.5	2	$1,786
2001	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
2000	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
1999	21.5	18.5 / 26.5	2	$1,786
1998	19.5	17 / 23.5	2	$1,969
1997	19.5	17.5 / 24	2	$1,969

ROWS 30·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.

What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.

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Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the Hyundai Sonata get?

27.8 mpg combined on average — 25.0 in the city and 32.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–2026.

How much does a Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel per year?

About $1,381 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,905 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.

Which Sonata engine is the most economical?

The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 47.3 mpg, against 18.1 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,310 a year.

Is the Sonata good on fuel compared with similar cars?

Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.

Are these real-world figures?

No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.

Fuel-economy ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Fuel cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.