Compare the2025 Toyota CamryVS 2025 Hyundai Sonata

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Toyota Camry has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Camry achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Hyundai Sonata which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The Camry has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sonata doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sonata only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Camry and the Sonata have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Camry is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	Camry	Sonata
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	183	514
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	268	356
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	24.3%	33%
Neck Compression	88 lbs.	189 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Camry is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	Camry	Sonata
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	100	125
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	127 lbs.	234 lbs.
Hip Force	239 lbs.	360 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	206	264
Hip Force	589 lbs.	780 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are over 45 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Camry’s warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the Camry is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camry’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Sonata’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camry first among midsize cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Sonata isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

The Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 34 more horsepower (225 vs. 191) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Camry (base engine) is faster than the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl.:

	Camry	Sonata
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Camry gets better mileage than the Sonata:

			MPG
Camry
	FWD	LE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/50 hwy
		SE/XLE/XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	48 city/47 hwy
	AWD	LE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	51 city/49 hwy
		SE/XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/46 hwy
		XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	44 city/43 hwy
Sonata
	FWD	SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/38 hwy
		SEL 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/36 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Camry’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sonata doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Camry’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. Hyundai only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Sonata SE.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Camry higher (6 out of 10) than the Hyundai Sonata (4 to 6). This means the Camry produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sonata every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Camry has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sonata doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Camry stops much shorter than the Sonata:

	Camry	Sonata
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The Camry’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Sonata’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Camry more stable handling and braking.

The Camry SE handles at .85 G’s, while the Sonata SEL AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Camry XSE AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Sonata SEL AWD (26.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Camry has .8 inches more front hip room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Sonata.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Camry. The Sonata doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Camry XLE, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Sonata doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Camry XLE’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sonata doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sonata doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Camry’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata SEL/N Line’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Camry the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Sonata can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Camry XLE’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sonata’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Camry’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata SEL/N Line.

When the Camry XLE with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sonata’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camry XLE/XSE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sonata doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Camry’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Sonata doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Camry and the Sonata offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Camry has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Camry has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Sonata and isn’t available on the Sonata SE.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Camry as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Sonata isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its March 2025 issue and the Toyota Camry XLE won out over the Hyundai Sonata SEL AWD.

The Toyota Camry outsold the Hyundai Sonata by almost five to one during 2024.

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