2019 Toyota Camry vs. 2019 Hyundai Sonata: Which Used Car Is the Better Pick?
The Toyota Camry has been Toyota’s most popular sedan for years, with nearly 300,000 units sold in 2020. However, the sedan market is crowded, so you don’t have to look far to find competitors, thanks to the likes of the Honda Accord, Kia K5, and Nissan Altima. Another challenger to the Camry’s throne is the Hyundai Sonata, and, with the used car market booming into 2022, both the 2019 Toyota Camry and the 2019 Hyundai Sonata are viable options for used car shoppers.
The 2019 Toyota Camry offers drivers variety and safety
The eighth generation of the Toyota Camry debuted in 2018. The 2019 Toyota Camry model benefits from many of the eighth generation’s upgrades – including a new, sharper look, improved interior, and Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa.
You have many options to fit your needs behind the wheel too. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient sedan, the Toyota Camry Hybrid model provides fuel efficiency and more than 200 horsepower. If you want your four-door sedan to sprint to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, the XLE and XSE Toyota Camry trims give you a powerful V6 engine.
It’s one of the safest sedans for the 2019 model year, too. The 2019 Camry was named a Top Safety Pick Plus by IIHS. It also offers many more standard features than the Sonata.
| 2019 Toyota Camry | 2019 Hyundai Sonata | |
| Price Range (per Autotrader) | $23,945-$34,700 starting MSRP | $22,300-$31,900 starting MSRP |
| Trim Levels | Five: L, LE, SE, XSE, XLE (LE, SE, XLE hybrid as well) | Six: SE, Eco, SEL, Sport, Limited, Limited 2.0T |
| Engine | Standard 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine for regular and hybrid models Optional 3.6-liter V6 for the XLE and XSE | SE, SEL, Sport, Limited: 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder Eco: turbocharged 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder Limited 2.0T: turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder Hybrid: 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 2.5-liter I4: 203 2.5-liter I4 hybrid: 208 3.6-liter V6: 301 | 2.4-liter I4: 185 1.6-liter turbo I4: 178 2.0-liter turbo I4: 245 2.0-liter I4 hybrid: 193 |
| Torque | 2.5-liter I4: 184 2.5-liter I4 hybrid: 163 3.6-liter V6: 267 | 2.4-liter I4: 178 1.6-liter turbo I4: 195 2.0-liter turbo I4: 260 2.0-liter I4 hybrid: 151 |
| Fuel Economy (combined miles per gallon) | 2.5-liter I4: 32 2.5-liter I4 hybrid: 52 3.6-liter V6: 26 | 2.4-liter I4: 29 1.6-liter turbo I4: 31 2.0-liter turbo I4: 26 2.0-liter I4 hybrid: 42 |
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata gives plenty of room and extra tech at a great price
The 2018 model also brought changes for the Hyundai Sonata, but it was more of a face-lift than a complete redesign. The 2019 Sonata continues the sixth generation, which was introduced in 2015. It includes a new interior design that gives it a more luxurious look.
There’s slightly less legroom in the back seats than in the Toyota Camry, but the Sonata makes up for it with one of the biggest trunks in the midsize sedan segment. Android users are not left out with the Sonata either. Unlike the Toyota Camry, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all Hyundai Sonata models.
The Camry has the 2019 Hyundai Sonata beat on power and efficiency with powertrains, but the Sonata does offer more options to find what you like. Edmunds says the updated suspension on the 2019 Sonata is a significant improvement, giving drivers both compliance and control. Additionally, depending on which trim you opt for, the Sonata can cost at least $1,500 less than a similarly optioned used Toyota Camry.
Autotrader says the Sonata is good, but the Camry is great
These two used midsize sedans are great options on the used car market. You can get your choice of fuel efficiency, power, safety, and technology. All of that comes at a cost near Edmunds’ estimate of used car prices for 2022 (roughly $30,000).
Still, while the used Hyundai Sonata makes a case as a good midsize sedan with Android Auto, a bigger trunk, and lower pricing, AutoTrader says the 2019 Toyota Camry is great. The used Toyota Camry has better styling, powertrains, and standard safety technology. It impressed reviewers more as an overall family sedan too.
