Used car guide · Elgin Hyundai
2020 Hyundai Sonata MPG
The 2020 Sonata was the first year of the current generation. It is a used car now, and a popular one. Here are its EPA ratings by trim and engine, plus how the 2026 Sonata compares.
Quick answer
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE at 28 mpg city, 38 highway and 32 combined. The SEL with the same 2.5-liter engine is 27 / 37 / 31, and the 1.6-liter turbo in the SEL Plus and Limited is 27 / 36 / 31. The 2020 Sonata Hybrid is rated 45 / 51 / 47, and the Hybrid Blue 50 / 54 / 52.
2020 Sonata ratings by trim
| Trim | Engine | EPA estimate |
|---|---|---|
| SE | 2.5L GDI, 191 hp / 181 lb-ft, 8-speed automatic | 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined |
| SEL | 2.5L GDI, 191 hp, 8-speed automatic | 27 / 37 / 31 |
| SEL Plus, Limited | 1.6L turbo GDI, 180 hp / 195 lb-ft, 8-speed automatic | 27 / 36 / 31 |
| Hybrid SEL, Hybrid Limited | 2.0L GDI hybrid, 6-speed automatic | 45 / 51 / 47 |
| Hybrid Blue | 2.0L GDI hybrid, 6-speed automatic | 50 / 54 / 52 |
Ratings from fueleconomy.gov; horsepower per Hyundai. Your mileage depends on how and where you drive.
Why the SE rates highest
Lighter, smaller wheels
The SE rides on 16-inch wheels and carries less equipment, which is worth about a mile per gallon against the SEL with the same engine.
The turbo trades a little
The 1.6-liter turbo makes more torque (195 lb-ft) for easier passing, at a 1 mpg cost on the highway versus the 2.5-liter SE.
The hybrids
The 2020 Sonata Hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor and a conventional six-speed automatic. The Blue trim's lighter spec earns the 52 mpg combined rating.
How the 2026 Sonata compares
| Version | 2020 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Base gas (SE 2.5L) | 28 / 38 / 32 | 28 / 38 / 32 |
| Mid gas (SEL / SEL Sport 2.5L) | 27 / 37 / 31 | 25 / 36 / 29 (FWD); 24 / 33 / 27 (AWD, new) |
| Turbo | 1.6T: 27 / 36 / 31 | N Line 2.5T, 290 hp: 23 / 32 / 27 |
| Hybrid | 45 / 51 / 47; Blue 50 / 54 / 52 | 44 / 51 / 47; Blue 47 / 56 / 51 |
The 2026 SEL Sport sits on larger wheels and adds optional AWD, which is why its rating is lower than the 2020 SEL's. The N Line replaced the 1.6 turbo with a 290-horsepower 2.5 turbo.
Keep a used Sonata at its rating
- Check tire pressure monthly, cold, using the door label. How to find the right pressure.
- Follow the oil change and air filter schedule in the owner's manual; the turbo engine especially.
- Use the Smart or Eco drive mode for commuting. Sport mode holds gears longer and costs fuel.
- Have a check-engine light diagnosed promptly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2020 Hyundai Sonata mpg?
28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined for the SE; 27 / 37 / 31 for the SEL; 27 / 36 / 31 for the 1.6-liter turbo SEL Plus and Limited, per the EPA.
What is the 2020 Sonata Hybrid mpg?
45 city / 51 highway / 47 combined for the Hybrid SEL and Limited, and 50 / 54 / 52 for the Hybrid Blue.
What engines did the 2020 Sonata offer?
A 191-hp 2.5-liter (SE, SEL), a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo (SEL Plus, Limited) and a 2.0-liter hybrid.
Does the 2020 Sonata need premium fuel?
No. All 2020 Sonata engines run on regular unleaded.
Is the 2026 Sonata more efficient than the 2020?
The base SE is rated the same, 32 mpg combined. The 2026 Hybrid Blue is rated 51 combined versus 52 for 2020, and the new AWD and N Line versions trade economy for traction and power.
Next step at Elgin Hyundai
Shop a used 2020 Sonata, compare it to a new one, or keep yours running right.
Sources
Figures were checked against the sources below on October 13, 2026.
- 2020 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy, U.S. EPA and DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- 2026 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy, U.S. EPA and DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- 2026 Sonata specifications and features, Hyundai Motor America
