The Lemon Index

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Nissan Altima vs Hyundai Sonata: which has fewer problems?

Nissan AltimaHyundai Sonata

Photos: Mr.choppers · Benespit (Wikimedia Commons)

Winner

Nissan Altima

About 46% fewer owner complaints per car sold than the Hyundai Sonata, and fewer in 19 of 25 model years both were sold.

Head to head

Lemon Index
100 = average, lower is better
70
129
Years with fewer complaints
2000–2024
19 of 25
6 of 25
Recalls
2000–2024
111
122
MPG
latest year
28–31
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 Nissan Altima year · Every Hyundai Sonata year · How the index works