Toyota Camry vs. Hyundai Sonata

Buying a car is a big deal. It’s a large purchase. It’s a necessity for many of us. And it’s important that our vehicle meet our needs, our wants…and maybe even our desires.
Before buying a vehicle, most buyers will do some research, some test driving, and some brand comparison. We know that you are going to look around. That’s good. That means you are an informed consumer.
At Heffner, we want the best for our customers. We know that your time is precious, and we know that you are comparing. So we’ve decided to save you some time and effort with your research.
Below we’ve broken down a comparison for you between one of our frequently compared vehicles, the Camry, and the competition, the Hyundai Sonata.

Camry: A Brief History

The name “Camry” is an Anglicized phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, meaning ‘crown’. From 1979-1982 there was the Celica Camry. Then in 1983, the Vista Camry came on the market. Still focused on a narrow-body sedan, the Vista Camry went through several generations before the wide-body sedan came on the market in 1991. Then, after several more generations, the Camry as we know it today was born.
Over the years, the Camry has maintained its focus on a comfortable and safe ride, but has moved from its basic design to incorporate the latest technology, a more stylized interior, and a sportier exterior.

2018 Camry

In 2018, the Camry (now in it’s eighth generation) has been redesigned to be more fuel efficient, more aerodynamic with a lower centre of gravity, and even safer with it’s new Safety Sense.
Highlights of the 2018 Camry include:
-Re-engineered front seats for style/comfort and a roomier rear seating area
-Upgraded interior materials
-Eight speeds are now the standard (on gas models)
-Updated battery paired with the new powertrain for more power (on hybrid models)
-Dynamic force powertrain: This features direct and port injection, a high compression ratio, and a thermal efficiency of 40 percent.
-Control-arm suspension: This improves the Camry’s handling and steering without sacrificing ride comfort.
-Entune 3.0 infotainment system
-10 standard airbags
-Toyota Safety Sense P: Forward-collision warning, automatic braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beams, adaptive cruise control, and back-up camera.

Sonata: A Brief History

The Sonata has been produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata was introduced as the ‘Stellar’ and, although it was a big seller, it received a mediocre response from consumers because of its boring design. After several generations, the Sonata redesigned both its interior and exterior and began marketing itself as an executive car using catchphrases like ‘Luxury car for VIP’.
Over the years, the Sonata has become known more as a family vehicle, offering a spacious interior, and a quiet and comfortable ride.

2018 Sonata

In 2018, the Sonata (now in its seventh generation) has been redesigned to look more sophisticated and less sporty, added wireless charging and Apple CarPlay, and is aiming to include a new eight-speed transmission.
Unlike the Camry, the Korean market is staying tight-lipped on the changes for 2018. However, what we know so far is that 2018 doesn’t appear to have many changes in store for the Sonata, as Hyundai focuses more on attracting conservative drivers.

Highlights of the 2018 Sonata include:
-Front end redesign and horizontal lines along the body
-A more formal-looking interior console
-Small turbocharged, dual-clutch transmission to enable higher fuel economy (on Eco models)
-Seven standard airbags, including driver-side knee airbag
-New alloy wheel design

Similarities

The Camry and the Sonata are often compared in the mid-size sedan market because:

1- They are both solidly built vehicles.
2- They are similarly sized vehicles.
3- They are both focused on a reliable and safe drive.
4- They are both good with fuel economy.
5- They have both have a good repair history.

The Gloves Are Off

It should come as no surprise that we are biased towards Toyota, but it’s not without good reason.
Sold in more than 100 countries, the Toyota Camry is the most popular midsize sedan in the world.
The Sonata has won numerous awards including: the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating,
Awards from The Cars Book and the Kelley Blue Book, and many more.
The Sonata was nominated for the 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick, but it lost to the Camry.
The Camry has won numerous awards including: the 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick, the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating, Industry Accolades for longevity, awards from the Kelley Blue Book, The Canadian Black Book, and many more.
Known for it’s impressive styling, superior safety rating, excellent history of reliability, and its amazing retained value, the Camry is an excellent choice.
In 2018, unlike the Sonata, the Camry has been significantly upgraded and features a host of improvements and enhancements — and we are sure it won’t disappoint.
To learn more about the benefits of owning a Camry, or to take a test-drive, come and visit Heffner Toyota.