Your 2026 Hyundai Sonata will lose about $6,511 in value during its first year of ownership. That's the biggest depreciation hit you'll take across the five-year ownership period.
Here's what you need to know about Sonata depreciation:
| Year | Depreciation Amount | Cumulative Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,511 | $6,511 |
| Year 2 | $2,511 | $9,022 |
| Year 3 | $2,037 | $11,059 |
| Year 4 | $1,206 | $12,265 |
| Year 5 | $954 | $13,219 |
Your Sonata will depreciate about 42.4% over five years, leaving it with a resale value around $15,476. But here's the important part: the steepest value drop happens right at the start.
The first-year depreciation is especially heavy because the car transitions from "new" to "used" status. After that sharp first-year decline, the depreciation rate slows down significantly. By year three, you're looking at only $2,037 in additional value loss. By years four and five, depreciation becomes almost flat.
This pattern is typical across most vehicles. New cars depreciate most rapidly in the first couple years after purchase, then the rate slows over time. The Sonata's depreciation pace is actually in line with other midsize sedans, which lose about 39.9% of their value over five years.
To minimize your depreciation impact, focus on keeping detailed maintenance records and driving carefully. Vehicle age, mileage, accident history, and service records all affect resale value. Low mileage and a clean history can help you retain more value when you eventually sell or trade in your Sonata.
If you're planning to keep your Sonata long-term, that first-year depreciation hit is a one-time cost. The value stabilizes after year three, making the later years much more economical from a depreciation standpoint.