Hyundai Sonata Hyundai Sonata 2012

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Hyundai Sonata Specs at TrueDelta: Powertrains and tires by trim level (2012)

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Hyundai Sonata specs.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Specs - Exterior and Interior Dimensions

Body 4dr Sedan
Wheelbase 2,794 mm
Length 4,821 mm
Width 1,834 mm
Height 1,471 mm
Curb Weight 1,451 kg
Fuel Capacity 70 L
Headroom, Row 1 1,016 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1 1,471 mm
Hip Room, Row 1 1,402 mm
Legroom, Row 1 1,156 mm
Headroom, Row 2 960 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2 1,440 mm
Hip Room, Row 2 1,394 mm
Legroom, Row 2 879 mm
Total Legroom 2,035 mm (over 2 rows)
Cargo Volume 464 L

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
2013 According to the EPA's classification system, the Hyundai Sonata is actually a large car. You wouldn't guess this while sitting in the front seat. A steeply raked windshield and cockpit-like instrument panel design cut into actual roominess, and perceived roominess even more. The Sonata's firm front buckets could use more form-fitting contouring. Though not uncomfortable, they are the least comfortable buckets in this threesome. In the back seat, six-foot passengers' scalps might graze the headliner, but knee room is generous. There's a bit more room and a more comfortably padded and positioned rear seat cushion inside the Altima. But the Mazda6's rear seat is at least as low to the floor as the Sonata's and includes a couple inches less knee room. So the Hyundai has a slight edge over the Mazda. see full Hyundai Sonata review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The front driver seat is supportive yet firm and the power adjustments guarantee you'll get the right driving position for you. The heated seat feature is great on a cold morning too. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Big enough for 6 feet 2 inch man. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Ride is comfortable but after about 2 or 3 hours, the leather seats get a bit hard on the butt. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Have the Limited with leather heated seats. They are not as comfortable as expected. The seat bolsters are a little tight for my back side. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Although adequate, long drives with more than two people in the car would be cramped. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
uncomfortable - back pain see full Hyundai Sonata review
 

2012 Hyundai Sonata 4-door Sedan Specs - Powertrains and Tire Sizes

Trim GLS SE SE 2.0T Limited Limited 2.0T Hybrid
Standard Engine 2.4L I4
DOHC-4v
148 kW@6300
249 Nm@4250
2.4L I4
DOHC-4v
149 kW@6300
252 Nm@4250
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
204 kW@6000
365 Nm@1750
2.4L I4
DOHC-4v
148 kW@6300
249 Nm@4250
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
204 kW@6000
365 Nm@1750
2.4L I4 Hybrid
DOHC-4v
124 kW@6000
209 Nm@4250
Standard Transmission6-speed manual6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
Optional Transmission(s)6-speed manually-shiftable automatic     
Standard DrivetrainFWDFWDFWDFWDFWDFWD
Standard Tires205/65HR16 tires225/45VR18 tires225/45VR18 tires215/55VR17 tires225/45VR18 tires205/65VR16 tires
Optional Tires     215/55VR17 tires

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TrueDelta Reviews the Powertrain of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata Powertrain: Pros
YearComment
2013 I was scheduled to test a 2013 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T, with a 274-horsepower turbocharged engine. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that for the first two days I drove this red Sonata I didn't realize that it wasn't the turbo. Granted, it didn't feel as effortlessly powerful as the related Kia Optima SXL I reviewed recently. But it was still plenty quick for my regular suburban driving, suggesting that few people often would take advantage of the turbo's additional thrust. Credit a still segment-leading 200-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (to get more power in a midsize sedan you need either two more cylinders or a turbo) and a six-speed automatic transmission so responsive that the provided paddles saw little use. Owing to the trickery of its CVT, the Nissan Altima is about as quick (but feels and sounds much less pleasant when skedaddling). Plant your foot and the Mazda6 will also get to sixty in a bit under eight seconds, and make the most thrilling noises in the process. But in typical driving the Mazda feels less energetic due to a combination of a more relaxed throttle calibration and a transmission that upshifts more readily. see full Hyundai Sonata review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Powertrain of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata Powertrain: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
This car has some serious kick for a 4 cyl. engine. I never have issues merging on the highway or passing other vehicles. It really is fun to drive in that aspect. Definitely faster than my old 01' Accord. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2013 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Smooth, quiet and responsive. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I have 54K miles on my 2012 Sonata Limited. Have not had any issues at all with this car. Keep the oil changed "Mobil 1 synthetic" everything runs just fine. Can't say anything jumps out asamazing or anything. This is just an easy car to drive & live with. I drive about 90 miles a day, commuting to work & back. My only let down with this car is the gas mileage. Generally get about 30 MPG, it was listed at 35 highway. I was comparing the Sonata with the Ford Fusion, drove both & they were so close in all the things I was looking for, I finally let the gas mileage be the tie breaker. But in reality, the Fusion "real world" gas mileage is about the same. But with all things said I have no regrets buying the Sonata Limited. Hope to keep it for at least 3 more years & can't see any reason why it won't hold up easily for at least 200K miles. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Excellent acceleration, smooth and pleasant engine. Transmission shifts smoothly and usually selects correct gear on its own. The paddle shifters are pleasant but not necessary. Regular unleaded requirement is great with high fuel prices, but the downside is terrible city fuel economy, even with a pretty light foot. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Acceleration is best in class for non-turbo, 4-cylinder engine. I appreciate car's ability to quickly pass on two lane roads. Transmission is among best I have experienced. People who drive my car swear it has a 6-cylinder engine. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
better performance than old car see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The turbo is quick and responsive. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The 2.0 turbo is responsive and powerfull see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
198 hp is the highest in class, 0-60 in about 8.1 sec. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012 Hyundai Sonata Powertrain: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
A bit underpowered but comparison is against a Maxima 3.5L. Still is fairly peppy and can be aggressive when needed. see full Hyundai Sonata review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Tires of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata Tires: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The stock Hankooks that came with my car at 16,400 miles were well on their way to being bald and were terrible in the snow. To me, this is unacceptable at such low mileage. I had to buy two sets of tires for my fairly new car just to be able to get around during the winter. Not a good start to my Hyundai ownership experience. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Stock tires are a bit noisy. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2011 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
OEM tires had to be replaced at 8,500 miles due to improper toe-in from factory that was not caught by dealer PDI or me. My 2008 Kia Optima had same problem. Machens Hyundai aligned car under warranty, but offered nothing regarding premature tire replacement. Too bad, this caused my wife's car purchase to be a Ford. see full Hyundai Sonata review
 

2012 Hyundai Sonata MSRP and Invoice Prices

Body Trim Base Price Invoice Destination
4dr Sedan GLS 19,795 18,971 775
4dr Sedan SE 23,195 21,952 775
4dr Sedan SE 2.0T 24,745 23,400 775
4dr Sedan Limited 26,445 24,725 775
4dr Sedan Limited 2.0T 28,195 26,345 775
4dr Sedan Hybrid 25,850 24,434 775

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