Kbb.com Names Hyundai Sonata a 'Best Family Car of 2015'

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has won a number of accolades since its introduction last year. It’s an Edmunds top pick. U.S. News and World Reports has named it No. 1 in its class. Kelley Blue Book named it Family Car of the Year. From its spaciousness to its fuel economy, it does have many positive aspects that a family can appreciate.

When it comes to value, the Sonata is a good pick for a family budget. Kelley Blue Book states that the low starting price makes it an attractive option, but the real standout is the features-per-dollar pricing. It adds that the 10-year warranty may just clinch the deal.

When it comes to spaciousness, a hallmark of a good family car, the Sonata holds its own. Kelley Blue Book notes that the cabin offers optimal ergonomics and more than enough room for five adults. The reviewer also acknowledges that this sedan makes it easy to insert and secure a child’s car seat, always a plus for busy parents. As Edmunds reports in its review, this is also a quiet car, regardless of trim level.

The Sonata offers many conveniences that make its cabin even more comfortable. Higher trim editions add power chairs for the driver and front seat passenger. A dual zone climate control system includes console-mounted rear vents to keep the kids more comfortable. To keep the sun off of toddlers and teens alike, the Limited offers rear sunshades. Heated front seats can be paired with heated rear seats. Ventilated front seats can be paired with memory functions for the driver’s power chair.

Kelley Blue Book likes the cavernous cargo hold that can expand with the fold-down back seat. The Sonata's unique easy-open trunk feature can sense the key's proximity and respond by opening the lid.

The Sonata offers real choices in terms of performance and fuel economy. The 2015 Sonata base edition, despite its size, can get 37 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 miles per gallon in the city. The 185-horsepower engine provides peppy performance for highway excursions. The Eco edition increases gas mileage to 28 mpg/city and 38 mpg/highway. For the family driver who is more of a driving enthusiast, the Sport edition adds a sportier feel to the car’s handling, and a turbo four cylinder can deliver 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

Safety is another of the Sonata’s strengths. It has a five star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The sedan offers standards that add more layers of safety, such as heated side mirrors and a driver’s side blind spot mirror. Blue Link adds crash notification. The Limited edition has a blind spot monitor to watch the sides and warn the driver if traffic is too close for a safe lane change. Higher trim editions add more crash avoidance features. The lane departure warning and forward collision warning work together to help you avoid common high speed crashes. By controlling headlights automatically, High Beam Assist makes it easier for drivers to concentrate on the road. Adaptive Cruise Control can stop and go with traffic.

With its advantages in pricing, features, safety, and fuel economy, the Sonata is ready to earn its spot in the family driveway.