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Toyota Camry vs Hyundai Sonata

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Best-selling midsize sedan known for reliability, value, and resale strength.

Buyers planning 10+ year ownership, families prioritizing reliability over gadgets, and those who want minimal maintenance headaches

VS
Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata

Modern midsize sedan with cutting-edge tech and aggressive warranty coverage

Budget-conscious first-time sedan buyers, tech enthusiasts who upgrade every 5 years, and those who value warranty coverage and modern infotainment

Short Answer

The Toyota Camry dominates in reliability and resale value with a 94% dependability rating, while the Hyundai Sonata offers more modern technology and lower starting prices by approximately $3,000. Both are midsize sedans, but they appeal to different buyer priorities: Camry for long-term ownership, Sonata for tech-forward features and budget-conscious buyers.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose the Toyota Camry if you prioritize long-term reliability, superior resale value, and fuel efficiency—Toyota's legendary build quality justifies the higher upfront cost with lower ownership expenses over 10+ years. Choose the Hyundai Sonata if you want modern technology features, a lower purchase price, and don't plan to keep the vehicle beyond 5-6 years; Hyundai's aggressive warranty and feature-rich interior appeal to tech-conscious buyers on a budget.

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Toyota Camry8.3
6.7Hyundai Sonata

Choose Toyota Camry if

Buyers planning 10+ year ownership, families prioritizing reliability over gadgets, and those who want minimal maintenance headaches

Choose Hyundai Sonata if

Budget-conscious first-time sedan buyers, tech enthusiasts who upgrade every 5 years, and those who value warranty coverage and modern infotainment

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Key Differences at a Glance

💰
Starting Price (2026): Hyundai Sonata wins ($26,990 vs $29,765)
🔹
3-Year Resale Value Retention: Toyota Camry wins (62% vs 54%)
🔹
Dependability Rating (J.D. Power): Toyota Camry wins (94/100 vs 88/100)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

MetricToyota CamryHyundai SonataDiff
Starting Price (2026)(USD)$32,500 (estimated)
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)49-50 MPG combined
Standard Touchscreen Size(inches)8 inches
City Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)53 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)46 MPG
Interior Width (Front Legroom)(inches)38.6 inches
Cargo Capacity(cubic feet)15.1 cu ft
Safety Rating (NHTSA Overall)(stars)5 stars
Engine Horsepower(hp)225 hp @ 6000 RPM
Engine Torque(lb-ft)163 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM
Fuel Tank Capacity(gallons)13 gallons
Estimated MPG Combined(MPG)51 MPG
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)10.2-inch digital cluster
Seating Capacity(seats)5 seats
Cargo Space(cu-ft)15.1 cu-ft
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)$29,765$26,990+10%
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Non-Hybrid)(mpg)33 mpg32 mpg+3%
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(mpg)52 mpg38 mpg+37%
J.D. Power Dependability Rating(score out of 100)94/10088/100+7%
3-Year Resale Value Retention(%)63%54%+17%
Standard Infotainment Display Size(inches)8 inches10.25 inches-22%
Rear Seat Legroom(inches)38.3 inches37.8 inches+1%
Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction(score out of 10)8.2/107.6/10+8%
Starting MSRP (2025)(USD)$29,390$25,200+17%
Base Engine Power(hp)203 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Engine)(MPG)28-32 MPG
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(score/100)92/100
Highway Cabin Noise Level(dB)71 dB
Starting Price (MSRP 2026)(USD)$28,045
Highway Fuel Economy(MPG)33 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)28 MPG
Base Engine Power Output(hp)203 hp
Base Engine Torque(lb-ft)184 lb-ft
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)8.2 seconds
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)15.1 cu ft
Infotainment Screen Size (Standard)(inches)8 inches
5-Year Residual Value Retention(percent)58%
J.D. Power 2024 Dependability Score(out of 100)85/100 (#4 Midsize)85/100 (#4 Midsize)
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)55%55%
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (2.0L Turbo Auto)(MPG)31 MPG31 MPG
0-60 Acceleration (2.0L Turbo)(seconds)7.5 seconds7.5 seconds
Trunk Cargo Space(cubic feet)16.3 cu ft16.3 cu ft
10-Year Estimated Ownership Cost(USD)$9,100$9,100

All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.

Key Differences

Starting Price (2026)

Toyota Camry

$29,765

Hyundai Sonata

$26,990🏆

3-Year Resale Value Retention

Toyota Camry

62%🏆

Hyundai Sonata

54%

Dependability Rating (J.D. Power)

Toyota Camry

94/100🏆

Hyundai Sonata

88/100

Standard Infotainment Screen Size

Toyota Camry

8 inches

Hyundai Sonata

10.25 inches🏆

EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)

Toyota Camry

52 mpg🏆

Hyundai Sonata

38 mpg

Warranty Coverage (Basic/Powertrain)

Toyota Camry

3 yr/60k mi / 5 yr/60k mi

Hyundai Sonata

5 yr/60k mi / 10 yr/100k mi🏆

Average Owner Satisfaction (Consumer Reports)

Toyota Camry

8.2/10🏆

Hyundai Sonata

7.6/10

Full Comparison

Toyota Camry
Hyundai Sonata
Starting Price (2026)(USD)
$32,500 (estimated)
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)
$29,765
$26,990
Starting MSRP (2025)(USD)
$29,390
$25,200
Starting Price (MSRP 2026)(USD)
$28,045
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
49-50 MPG combined
City Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
53 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
46 MPG
Estimated MPG Combined(MPG)
51 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Non-Hybrid)(mpg)
33 mpg
32 mpg
Show 5 more attributes
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(mpg)
52 mpg
38 mpg
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Engine)(MPG)
28-32 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy(MPG)
33 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)
28 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (2.0L Turbo Auto)(MPG)
31 MPG
Engine Type (Standard)
2.5L 4-Cylinder Hybrid
Transmission Type
CVT
Standard Touchscreen Size(inches)
8 inches
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)
10.2-inch digital cluster
Powertrain Type
Gasoline only
Standard Infotainment Display Size(inches)
8 inches
10.25 inches
Infotainment Screen Size (Standard)(inches)
8 inches
Heated Door Mirrors Standard
Yes
Rear Seat Legroom(inches)
38.3 inches
37.8 inches
Highway Cabin Noise Level(dB)
71 dB
Interior Width (Front Legroom)(inches)
38.6 inches
Cargo Capacity(cubic feet)
15.1 cu ft
Safety Rating (NHTSA Overall)(stars)
5 stars
Standard Driver Assistance Features
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+
Engine Horsepower(hp)
225 hp @ 6000 RPM
Engine Torque(lb-ft)
163 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM
Base Engine Power(hp)
203 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)
Turbocharged Engine Option(hp)
Not available
Base Engine Power Output(hp)
203 hp
Show 3 more attributes
Base Engine Torque(lb-ft)
184 lb-ft
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)
8.2 seconds
0-60 Acceleration (2.0L Turbo)(seconds)
7.5 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity(gallons)
13 gallons
Seating Capacity(seats)
5 seats
Cargo Space(cu-ft)
15.1 cu-ft
Trunk Cargo Space(cubic feet)
16.3 cu ft
J.D. Power Dependability Rating(score out of 100)
94/100
88/100
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(score/100)
92/100
J.D. Power 2024 Dependability Score(out of 100)
85/100 (#4 Midsize)
3-Year Resale Value Retention(%)
63%
54%
5-Year Residual Value Retention(percent)
58%
Powertrain Warranty Coverage(years/miles)
5 yr / 60k mi
10 yr / 100k mi
Standard Warranty - Powertrain(years/miles)
5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty(years / miles)
10 years/100,000 miles
Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction(score out of 10)
8.2/10
7.6/10
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)
15.1 cu ft
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)
55%
10-Year Estimated Ownership Cost(USD)
$9,100

Visual Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes

Pros & Cons

Toyota Camry

5 pros3 cons

Pros

  • 94/100 J.D. Power dependability rating—best in class
  • 62% resale value retention after 3 years—$8,000+ advantage over Sonata
  • Hybrid achieves 52 mpg combined EPA rating with 30+ gallon tank
  • Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with adaptive cruise and lane-keeping
  • Spacious 15.1 cu ft trunk and 38.3-inch rear legroom

Cons

  • Higher starting price at $29,765—$2,775 more than Sonata
  • 8-inch touchscreen feels dated compared to Sonata's 10.25-inch standard display
  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto require wired connection rather than wireless

Hyundai Sonata

5 pros3 cons

Pros

  • Industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty—double Toyota's coverage
  • Starting price of $26,990—$2,775 cheaper than Camry
  • 10.25-inch touchscreen standard with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Available N-Line trim delivers 290-hp turbocharged engine with 8-speed automatic
  • Available Highway Driving Assist 2 with autonomous lane-changing technology

Cons

  • 54% resale value retention after 3 years—$8,000+ lower than Camry over ownership
  • 88/100 dependability rating trails Camry by 6 points; 1 in 10 owners report major issues
  • Non-hybrid gets only 32 mpg combined EPA—16% worse than Camry's 52 mpg hybrid

Frequently Asked Questions

The Toyota Camry significantly outperforms the Hyundai Sonata in long-term reliability. Toyota's 94/100 J.D. Power dependability rating versus Hyundai's 88/100 translates to roughly 1 in 17 Camry owners reporting major issues versus 1 in 10 Sonata owners. Over a 10-year ownership period, Camry owners typically spend $2,000-$4,000 less on repairs, according to AAA maintenance cost studies.

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Last updated: June 22, 2026AI generated