The 2010 Hyundai Sonata offered two gasoline engine options: a 2.4-liter inline-4 as the standard powerplant, and a 3.3-liter V6 available on higher trims.
In more detail, Hyundai paired the four-cylinder option with efficiency-focused engineering derived from the Theta II family, while the larger V6 used a Lambda-based design for buyers seeking stronger performance. Transmission choices were matched to the engine, with automatic gearboxes dominating the lineup.
Engine options
Here are the two engines that could power a 2010 Sonata, depending on trim and market.
- 2.4-liter inline-4 (Theta II): The base engine aimed at balanced performance and efficiency.
- 3.3-liter V6 (Lambda II): The optional larger engine for higher-trim models seeking more power.
In practice, most 2010 Sonatas used the four-cylinder engine by default, with the six-cylinder reserved for the upper-tier models.
Engine specifications by option
Below is a general guide to what buyers could expect from each engine configuration in the 2010 Sonata lineup.
- 2.4-liter I4 (Theta II): roughly 170–200 horsepower, about 160–180 lb-ft of torque; commonly paired with an automatic transmission.
- 3.3-liter V6 (Lambda II): roughly 230–235 horsepower, about 226 lb-ft of torque; paired with a more robust automatic transmission for smoother acceleration.
These figures reflect typical factory ratings for that era and can vary slightly by market, fuel grade, and the specific trim level (e.g., base, SE, or Limited).
Summary
In 2010, the Hyundai Sonata offered two gasoline engines: a 2.4-liter inline-4 as the standard powerplant and a 3.3-liter V6 for higher trims. The four-cylinder emphasized efficiency, while the V6 delivered stronger performance, with automatic transmissions tailored to each engine choice.