2016 Hyundai Sonata Interior

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata outclasses most rivals with its posh interior and premium materials, according to automotive writers. They add that the front seats are comfortable and the rear seats offer plenty of room for adults to sit comfortably. Critics appreciate the straightforward climate and audio controls and note that the cabin is quiet. The Sonata also offers good trunk space for a midsize car.

• "It all complements a nicely laid-out and easy-to-use interior whose only real fault is being a bit on the bland side." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Possibly the most striking characteristic of the Sonata's character - across all trims - is the utter silence with which it goes about its business. This is a quiet car." -- Edmunds (2015)
• "No miracle has been accomplished to make you believe that you're in a Jaguar, but the all-new Sonata still makes the other cars in its class look dowdy." -- Automobile Magazine (2015)
• "Materials, as well as fit and finish, are impressive for a vehicle in this price range - again, trickle-down from the Genesis - but also required to maintain competitiveness." -- Autoblog (2015)

Seating

The five-seat Sonata comes standard with cloth upholstery. Leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel are available. Critics praise the spacious and comfortable front seats. They note that the rear seats offer ample room for nearly everyone, although some say that class rivals like the Honda Accord offer more rear-seat space.

• "Still, we like it, especially the comfortable front seats and hugely accommodating rear seat." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "In back, the rear seat room is downright cavernous -- four genuine six-footers fit so well you'll wonder why Hyundai even needs bigger models." -- AutoWeek (2015)
• "Placing my 5'11" frame in the rear seat, the changes aren't enough to make the Sonata feel limo-like, unlike the current Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord, but legroom is noticeably improved and I was able to get plenty comfortable." -- Motor Trend (2015)
• "Put simply, it's huge inside. You'll likely never feel like you need more space. Large adults will be comfortable in the backseats, and the Sonata's class-leading front head- and legroom speaks for itself." -- Edmunds (2015)
• "It still isn't the roomiest car in the segment, but we doubt anyone except NBA forwards will feel cramped inside." -- Left Lane News (2015)

Interior Features

Standard features in the 2016 Hyundai Sonata include Bluetooth, a USB port, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, Android Auto, a 7-inch touch screen, a rearview camera and brake assist, which supplies emergency braking power if the car detects an accident may occur. Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, which can recommend nearby points of interest and allows you to lock, unlock and start the car from your smartphone, is also standard. Available features include a panoramic sunroof, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker audio system, blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and an 8-inch touch screen with navigation.

The Sonata’s infotainment system impresses reviewers by being user-friendly and including the latest in-car tech features like Android Auto. They add that the control layout is logical and direct, and some appreciate the fact that many climate and audio functions are controlled with physical buttons instead of having everything run by the touch screen.

See 2016 Hyundai Sonata specs »

• "The 2016 Sonata benefits from the newest advance in in-car infotainment: Android Auto, which fully integrates your Android phone experience into the 8-inch touch screen in the Sonata's dash. It's as familiar to use as your phone, and really, isn't that what we all want from our infotainment systems?" -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The array of controls on the center stack has the kind of logical organization that makes operation intuitive. …" -- Automobile Magazine (2015)
• "The control layout is straightforward and easy to use, with dedicated buttons for primary functions like navigation, phone, radio and media. Climate control is handled with knobs, and Hyundai's intuitive touchscreen interface remains." -- Edmunds (2015)

Cargo

With 16.3 cubic feet of space, the 2016 Sonata has a large trunk for the class, and it also has standard split-folding rear seats. Hyundai’s Smart Trunk feature, which opens the trunk automatically when the proximity key is near the rear of the vehicle for three seconds, is available. Reviewers say that while the trunk is plenty spacious, the opening could be bigger.

• "Trunk space is big, too, but the opening is a bit narrow." -- AutoWeek (2015)
• "At 16.3 cubic feet the Sonata's trunk ties the also massive Volkswagen Passat for sheer volume." -- Edmunds (2015)