The Lemon Index

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Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai Sonata: which has fewer problems?

Hyundai ElantraHyundai Sonata

Photos: Elise240SX · Benespit (Wikimedia Commons)

Winner

Hyundai Elantra

About 43% fewer owner complaints per car sold than the Hyundai Sonata, and fewer in 17 of 24 model years both were sold.

Head to head

Lemon Index
100 = average, lower is better
74
129
Years with fewer complaints
2002–2025
17 of 24
7 of 24
Recalls
2002–2025
86
115
MPG
latest year
23–54
27–47
Crash test
best, latest year
★★★★★
★★★★★
Best year to buy

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. Green check = the better of the two on that line.

Year by year

Shorter bar = fewer complaints per car sold. Tap a year for its full report.

Every Hyundai Elantra year · Every Hyundai Sonata year · How the index works