Sonata vs Crown
This is a classic rivalry: the Sonata against the Crown, Hyundai against Toyota, both in midsize sedan territory. The Crown wins more of the areas that we compared (2 of 5), and its most convincing lead is in fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Crown wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Crown wins
- Space & Practicality Sonata wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range1.7
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Crown has better fuel economy
For fuel economy (combined), the Crown leads by a wide margin: 41 mpg versus 32 mpg. The Crown uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The Crown has 45 hp more power
This is a headline difference. With 236 hp to the Sonata’s 191 hp, the Crown has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The Crown’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Sonata has 5.3% more cargo space
On paper, the Sonata is a touch ahead here, listing 16 cu ft against 15.2 cu ft. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The Crown has better city fuel economy
Put simply, the Crown is far ahead here: 42 mpg compared with 28 mpg. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Crown has the better rating here.
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The Crown has
On height, the Crown comes in at 60.6 in and the Sonata at 56.9 in. Height matters for garage clearance and for loading bikes or cargo onto the roof.
Design & Size
- Sonata 192.9 in × 73.2 in × 56.9 in
- Crown 196.1 in × 72.4 in × 60.6 in
A larger body can leave more room inside, while a smaller one is easier to live with in tight spaces. Here, the Crown is the larger car.
Dimensions
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.2 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.8 in | 112.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Crown leads
The Crown clearly takes the engine & performance round. The Crown delivers 45 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the Crown is the stronger car.
Total system output
Sonata: 191 hp Crown: 236 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
Crown leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Crown leads the fuel economy & range section with room to spare. Choose the Crown and you get better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. That makes the Crown the natural choice for buyers focused on fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Sonata: 32 mpg Crown: 41 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Sonata: 28 mpg Crown: 42 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Crown starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Sonata leads
By a small margin, the Sonata is the stronger of the two in this area. The Sonata makes its case with 5.3% more cargo space. The Sonata’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. If space & practicality is your priority, the Sonata is the car to pick.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Sonata: 16 cu ft Crown: 15.2 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Both the Sonata and the Crown cover off-road & towing equally well on paper. Either car will serve you equally well on off-road & towing.
Safety & Tech
Too close to call
In the safety & tech category, the Sonata and the Crown land in almost the same place. On safety & tech alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 191 hp | 236 hp (winner) Most powerful in class |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 32 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | 42 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 38 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 14.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 16 cu ft (winner) | 15.2 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Hyundai SmartSense | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.2 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.8 in | 112.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Sonata | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $41,440 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Sonata if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (16 cu ft vs 15.2 cu ft)
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
- you already know your way around Hyundai’s products
Choose the Crown if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (41 mpg vs 32 mpg)
- you want more power (236 hp vs 191 hp)
- you mostly drive in town (42 mpg vs 28 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (41 mpg vs 38 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Sonata or the Crown?
We’d point most buyers to the Crown. The main exception is if you know that 5.3% more cargo space would make a real difference in your routine.
Which is larger, the Sonata or the Crown?
It’s the Crown that is larger: 196.1 × 72.4 × 60.6 in, versus 192.9 × 73.2 × 56.9 in for the Sonata.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the Sonata and the Crown. To me, the standout is that the Crown offers better fuel economy. Then there’s 45 hp more power, another point for the Crown. Where the Sonata fights back is 5.3% more cargo space.
A quick self-test: do you care more about space & practicality or engine & performance? The first answer means the Sonata, the second means the Crown.
My pick: if it were my money, the Crown, unless you value 5.3% more cargo space above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.