2018 Hyundai SONATA SE vs. SEL
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE and 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE and the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL.
When we compare the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE's and the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. The 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE and 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE's and the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE is a better car than the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL.
Pricing: A used 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE ranges from $9,998 to $18,878 while a used 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL is priced between $10,950 to $19,331.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE and the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL both lose 41.4 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 8.6 out of 10. Hyundai SONATA is ranked 6 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 7.9 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE and the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL makes 185 horsepower. The SE is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 666 miles. The SEL is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 648 miles. This gives the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Hyundai SONATA has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,680 - $31,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,680 - $31,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,542
Price Range:
$9,998 - $18,878
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,782
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$14,578 - $25,306
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
223
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,611
# Good or Great Deals:
75
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$15,192
Price Range:
$10,950 - $19,331
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,782
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$14,578 - $25,306
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
163
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
75,735
# Good or Great Deals:
64
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Hyundai SONATA SE
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3 - 7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Hyundai SONATA SEL
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3 - 7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2 - 14.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2 - 14.2
Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
Eco, Limited, Limited 2.0T, Limited 2.0T+, SEL, SEL+, Sport, Sport 2.0T, Sport+
Other Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
Eco, Limited, Limited 2.0T, Limited 2.0T+, SE, SEL+, Sport, Sport 2.0T, Sport+
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
185 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
185 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 36 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 666 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 648 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
106.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
106.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3250 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3311 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black
Blue
Electric Blue / Lakeside Blue
Gray
Machine Gray
Red
Scarlet Red
Silver
Symphony Silver
White
Quartz White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available