Model comparison
Chevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Sonata
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
See the comparisonAverage depreciation
Hyundai Sonata Depreciation & Resale Value
Skip the new-car premium: a 2019 runs about $10,501 below its original MSRP.
The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan offered with naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and hybrid drivetrains.
Market context: A large six-year sample crosses a major 2020 redesign.
Compare With
Compare the Hyundai Sonata with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2020→2019
+7.3% in one year
Smart-buy year
2019
~$12,999 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 41.1% |
| 2019 | 48.4% |
| 2018 | 53.0% |
| 2017 | 59.7% |
| 2016 | 62.7% |
| 2015 | 67.6% |
Based on 1,180 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Hyundai Sonata as it ages, from a ~$25,700 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 98% | $25,267 | −$433 | −$433 |
| 2 yrs | 88% | $22,684 | −$2,583 | −$3,016 |
| 3 yrs | 79% | $20,365 | −$2,319 | −$5,335 |
| 4 yrs | 71% | $18,284 | −$2,081 | −$7,416 |
| 5 yrs | 64% | $16,415 | −$1,869 | −$9,285 |
| 6 yrs | 57% | $14,737 | −$1,678 | −$10,963 |
| 7 yrs | 52% | $13,230 | −$1,507 | −$12,470 |
| 8 yrs | 46% | $11,878 | −$1,352 | −$13,822 |
Interactive tool
What's your Sonata worth?
Estimate a used Sonata's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$13,250
about typical mileage
At 84,000 miles (about typical for a 7-year-old car, ~84,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Hyundai Sonata?
If you're shopping for a Hyundai Sonata, it's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2019 (around $12,999) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the SEL Plus trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $8,193.
- The SEL Plus trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2020 and 2019 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Hyundai Sonata Resale Value
The steepest single-year drop happens between the 2020 and 2019 model years, when depreciation jumps 7.3% points. That makes the 2019 Sonata a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Trim matters: the SEL Plus holds its value best (about 39.2% average depreciation), while the Sport 2.0T gives up the most (around 65.5%). Choosing the right trim can be worth thousands at resale.
Which Hyundai Sonata Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
SEL Plus
60.8% kept· 32 listings
SEL
54.5% kept· 196 listings
Eco
46.4% kept· 24 listings
Limited
43.7% kept· 186 listings
SE
42.8% kept· 408 listings
Base
41.6% kept· 44 listings
Sport
40.6% kept· 222 listings
How Long Does the Hyundai Sonata Last?
Mileage profile across 1,180 listings.
Over 100k mi
44.9%
Over 150k mi
5.7%
Highest mileage
262,756 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$8,193
Roughly 44.9% of listed Hyundai Sonatas have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 5.7% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $12,999 — about $10,501 off its original MSRP.
View 2019 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Hyundai Sonata?
The 2019 Sonata is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $12,999 for a typical example, and the SEL Plus trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Hyundai Sonata trim holds its value best?
The SEL Plus retains the most value, depreciating about 39.2% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the SEL Plus is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 1,180 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.