Pricing
Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
The base price of the 2019 Hyundai Sonata is around $1,500 less than the 2019 Toyota Camry’s. Sonata prices start at $22,300, while the Camry starts at $23,845. A significant amount of that price difference stems from Toyota’s inclusion of a host of standard active safety and driver assistance features.
At the top end of the pricing ladder, the Sonata Limited 2.0T trim is priced from $31,900, while the top-trim Toyota Camry XSE V6 carries a $34,050 price tag.
Safety
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
The 2019 Toyota Camry aced all tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), earning an overall five-star rating. In testing done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2019 Camry received their best-available Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Similar to the 2019 Camry, the 2019 Hyundai Sonata was also designated a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS. The Sonata received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests, and four stars for the rollover test.
Every Camry features a suite of advanced electronic safety and driver assistance features that are optional on the Sonata. The Hyundai requires you to move to higher trim levels before they are available at all. The 2019 Camry comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and lane keeping assist. Both cars feature standard rearview cameras, and the Sonata includes rear cross traffic alert on all models.
Interior Comfort
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
There isn’t much to complain about with the interior of both the Toyota Camry or the Hyundai Sonata – unless you’re a tall passenger in the rear seat of either car. Both models features sloping rooflines that cut into rear-seat headroom.
Though the Sonata has a bit more overall interior passenger space, the Camry’s stylish interior is more welcoming, with top-notch materials and firm yet comfortable seating surfaces. The Camry’s intuitive controls are driver-focused, with the center of the dash angled slightly toward the steering wheel. After a redesign for the 2018 model year. The Camry’s seats sit a bit lower, so some passengers might find it a bit harder to get in and out.
Interior Technology
Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Once again, this category is a very close call. The Hyundai Sonata supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in all trim levels, while the Toyota Camry only supports Apple CarPlay. Both sedans feature standard 7-inch touch-screen infotainment systems, 8-inch screens are available on upper trims.
Toyota does equip the Camry with the latest version of its Entune infotainment system. Bluetooth connectivity comes standard on all models, and Entune supports Siri Eyes Free and Google Voice commands. You can link your cell phone to the infotainment system’s Scout Navigation app, which looks like an integrated navigation system but uses your cell phone's data plan to stream turn-by-turn directions. An integrated navigation system that doesn't require your smartphone's data connection is included on top models.
Hyundai’s Blue Link infotainment system matches the Toyota system almost point for point, except that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto provide the navigation system for most models. On upper trims, an onboard navigation system is offered. Wireless phone charging pads are available for both the Sonata and Camry.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
The trunk of the Toyota Camry is smaller than the Hyundai Sonata’s. The Sonata features 16.3 cubic feet of cargo room, while most models of the Camry have 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space.
Large hinges also intrude into the Camry’s trunk, limiting the size of the cargo that you can carry. Available on the Sonata is a hands-free trunk opening option. Simply stand near the rear of the car with the key fob in your pocket and the trunk will automatically open.
The rear seats of both sedans can be folded forward, increasing cargo room by allowing large items to use both the trunk and rear seat space.
Fuel Efficiency
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry L earns an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway. Most other trim levels of the Camry receive EPA mileage estimates of 28 city/39 highway. The top mileage performer in the Sonata lineup is the Eco model. It is rated at 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Most Sonata models score EPA-estimated mileage of 26 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway.
If you opt for the most powerful models in the Camry and Sonata lineups, their EPA mileage estimates are nearly identical, despite the fact that the Camry uses a V6, while the Sonata has a turbocharged four-cylinder.
Toyota and Hyundai also offer hybrid models of their midsize sedans. You can view the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s review and the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s review by clicking their names.
Engine Performance
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
There’s more to the Toyota Camry than just looks. Both of its engine offerings are stronger and more energetic than the equivalent engines available in the Hyundai Sonata.
The base engine in the Camry is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 203 horsepower and powers the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 185-horsepower engine powers the base Sonata. A 1.6-liter turbo is also available in the Sonata Eco trim, and it produces the model’s best fuel efficiency.
The Camry is one of a dwindling number of cars in the midsize segment that still has a V6 engine option. Its 3.5-liter V6 one of the more powerful engines available in the class, cranking out 301 horsepower. The Sonata's top engine option is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 245 horsepower.
Handling
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
Nimble handling hasn’t traditionally been a strength of the Camry. Toyota engineers strove to change that perception with last year’s redesigned. Now, the Camry features a more rigid platform and a new double-wishbone rear suspension that combine to create a smooth, comfortable ride that isn’t afraid to stride through corners with enthusiasm.
The Toyota Camry SE and XSE amp up their handling prowess with a sport-tuned suspension and performance-oriented wheel and tire setups.
Hyundai has also improved the suspension setup on the Sonata for a more dynamic ride. While the Sonata is comfortable and confident, it’s not what you would consider nimble compared to the Camry.
Both cars are front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is not an option on either model.
Reliability
Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
Neither the 2019 Sonata nor the 2019 Camry have received a rating for predicted reliability. However, the nearly identical 2018 Sonata and 2018 Camry received a score of 3.5 and 4.5 out of five, respectively.
The Sonata features one of the best warranties available in any class. Sonata buyers are protected by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Camry includes a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and powertrain coverage for five years or 60,000 miles.
The Winner Is …
2019 Toyota Camry
Both the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry are good cars, but the Camry is superior in enough ways to make it the best choice in the segment. With its more energetic and powerful engine and better fuel economy estimates, the Camry is both more enjoyable to drive and less costly to operate.
The Camry’s standard suite of safety technology and driver assistance features are unbeatable in the class. If you opt for the Sonata, on the other hand, you’ll get a long warranty, plus the ability to use Android Auto.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
You can see how the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata compare with their segment rivals in our rankings of midsize cars. Learn more about the car buying process, how to finance your vehicle, and how to choose between a new and used car by reading the articles on our site.
Check our new car rankings frequently. Models rise and fall in the rankings as new vehicles enter the market and new information becomes available.
There are great deals to be found in the midsize and compact car segments. You can find the best on our new car financing deals page and our lease incentives page. When you’re ready to buy, use our Best Price Program, where we work with local dealers to save buyers an average of more than $3,000 off MSRP.
In addition to savings off MSRP, getting the best interest rate on your car loan can save you thousands as well. Compare rates from up to four lenders with MyAutoloan to get the best deal.
2019 Toyota Camry vs. 2019 Hyundai Sonata: Head to Head
- Pricing - Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
- Safety - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
- Interior Comfort - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
- Interior Technology - Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
- Cargo Space - Winner: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
- Fuel Efficiency - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
- Engine Performance - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
- Handling - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
- Reliability - Winner: 2019 Toyota Camry
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Camry vs. Sonata: May the Best Sedan Win
Sales are cooling off in the midsize car segment, but competition is heating up. The 2019 Toyota Camry and the 2019 Hyundai Sonata have risen to claim great scores in our rankings of midsize cars, with the Camry claiming the No. 1 position.
Each sedan has its strengths and weaknesses, with the Camry's standard advanced suite of safety gear and impeccable reputation for reliability going up against the Sonata's top-notch warranty and lower starting price.
Take a look at the following slides to see how the two powerhouse sedans stack up against each other, based on the factors that car buyers in this segment find most important. Note that our scores are frequently updated, so be sure to check out our Camry and Sonata reviews for the latest data.