The typical replacement bulbs for a 2018 Hyundai Sonata depend on the headlight type installed in your trim. In most models with traditional halogen headlights, the low-beam is H11 and the high-beam is 9005. If your car has HID headlights, the low-beam bulbs are HID capsules (usually in the D2S/D3S family) while the high-beam bulbs remain 9005. Some higher trims may use LED headlights, which do not use replaceable bulbs in the same way as halogen or HID setups.
Two main headlight configurations
The following outlines the common configurations you would encounter on a 2018 Sonata and the bulbs they use.
- Halogen projector headlights (most base trims): low-beam bulb H11; high-beam bulb 9005 (HB5).
- HID projector headlights (optional on higher trims): low-beam HID bulb (typically D2S or D3S family, exact type depends on production variant); high-beam bulb 9005.
Note: If your Sonata is equipped with LED headlights, there is no traditional replaceable halogen or HID bulb for the main headlamp; LEDs are built into the housing and are serviced differently.
How to confirm the exact bulb for your car
To ensure you buy the correct bulb, identify your exact headlight type by checking the owner’s manual, inspecting the headlight housing, or consulting Hyundai’s parts diagrams for your VIN. If you replace the bulb yourself, always disconnect the battery and handle bulbs with clean gloves to avoid oil on the glass.
Summary
For the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, most base models use H11 low-beam and 9005 high-beam halogen bulbs. Trims with HID headlights use D2S/D3S-type low-beam bulbs with 9005 high beams. Some higher trims may feature LED headlights, which do not use replaceable bulbs in the traditional sense. Always verify your trim and consult the manual or a parts diagram to be certain.