Hyundai SONATA SE vs. SEL
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SONATA SE and 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 Hyundai SONATA SE and the Hyundai SONATA SEL.
When comparing the Hyundai SONATA SE's and the Hyundai SONATA SEL's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA SE has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Hyundai SONATA SE and Hyundai SONATA SEL have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SONATA SE's and the Hyundai SONATA SEL's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA SE is a better car than the Hyundai SONATA SEL.
Pricing: A used 2023 Hyundai SONATA SE ranges from $19,132 to $25,995 while a used 2023 Hyundai SONATA SEL is priced between $21,045 to $29,313. For a new model, the Hyundai SONATA SE's price is between $23,533 and $27,538, with the Hyundai SONATA SEL priced between $25,914 and $31,916.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the Hyundai SONATA SE and the 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 Hyundai SONATA SE and the Hyundai SONATA SEL makes 191 horsepower. Both the SE and the SEL are rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 548 and 588 miles respectively. 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:
$23,533 - $27,538
Starting MSRP:
$25,450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,395 - $43,010
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$25,914 - $31,916
Starting MSRP:
$27,975
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,395 - $43,010
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,342
Price Range:
$19,132 - $25,995
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,886
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,223 - $40,199
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
80
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
16,578
# Good or Great Deals:
28
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,600
Price Range:
$21,045 - $29,313
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$28,886
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,223 - $40,199
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
405
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
15,376
# Good or Great Deals:
133
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 Hyundai SONATA SE
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
8.5 - 12
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA SEL
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
8.5 - 12
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16.2
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
Limited, N Line, SEL, SEL Plus
Other Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
Limited, N Line, SE, SEL Plus
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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
429 / 588 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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
Internet Radio:
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
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:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3120 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3192 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 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
Nocturne Black / Onyx Black Pearl
Blue
Carbon Blue Pearl
Gray
Hampton Gray Metallic / Portofino Gray Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Pearl
Silver
Curated Silver Metallic
White
Hyper White Pearl / Serenity White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Dark Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
