--- title: "Hyundai Sonata Oil Type: 0W-20, 6.1 qt" description: "How the Hyundai Sonata oil specification changed from 2011 to 2025, compared generation by generation. The Hyundai Sonata takes 0W-20 engine oil, 6.1 quarts with a filter change by engine. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/oil" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # Hyundai Sonata Oil Type and Capacity The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Hyundai Sonata oil specification changed by year? | Model years | Viscosity | Capacity | OEM filter | Interval | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2020-2025/oil) | 0W-20, 0W-30 | 6.1 / 5.1 qt | N/A | 7,500 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,750 mi (severe) | | [2015-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2015-2019/oil) | 5W-20, 5W-30 | 4.8 / 4 / 4.2 qt | N/A | 7,500 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,750 mi (severe service) | | [2011-2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2011-2014/oil) | 5W-20, 5W-30 | 4.8 / 4.9 qt | N/A | 7,500 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,750 mi / 3 months (severe service) | ## Full specifications by generation The oil on a Hyundai Sonata is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2020-2025 Hyundai Sonata Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2020-2025/oil) - [2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2015-2019/oil) - [2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2011-2014/oil) ## Hyundai Sonata oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a Hyundai Sonata take? It depends on the engine. The 2.5L 4-cylinder (Smartstream G4KN GDI) takes 6.1 quarts; The 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder (Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI) takes 5.1 quarts; The 2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder (Smartstream G2.5 T-GDI, N Line) takes 6.1 quarts; The 1.6L Turbo Hybrid (Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI + electric motor) takes 5.1 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a Hyundai Sonata take? 0W-20 meeting API SP / ILSAC GF-6, full synthetic (required, not merely recommended). Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a Hyundai Sonata? The factory specification is 0W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice. ### How often does a Hyundai Sonata need an oil change? 7,500 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,750 mi (severe). Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Hyundai Smartstream engine family (G1.6T, G1.6T Hybrid, displacement/output data)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Smartstream_engine) - [AMSoil lookup, 2022 Sonata 2.5L oil viscosity/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/hyundai/sonata/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-a-a/) - [Costa Oils, 2023 Sonata 2.5L Turbo (N Line) oil guide](https://costaoils.com/2023-hyundai-sonata-2-5l-turbo-oil-change-guide-2/) - [Hyundai Forums, N Line owner's manual 0W-30 vs. 0W-20 cap discussion](https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/0w-20-oil-only-one-listed.671641/) - [Goodyear, 2024 Sonata factory tire fitments by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Hyundai/Sonata/2024) - [Headquarter Hyundai, 2020 Sonata fuel tank capacity and EPA mpg](https://www.headquarterhyundai.com/research/2020-hyundai-sonata-mpg/) - [US News, 2021 Sonata Limited 1.6T engine specs](https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/hyundai/sonata/2021/specs/sonata-limited-1-6t-416162) - [Go-Parts, 2021-2024 Hyundai/Kia 2.5L Smartstream (G4KN) oil dilution/piston-ring notes](https://www.go-parts.com/garage/engine-complete-assembly-kia-sorento-hyundai-santa-fe-hyundai-sonata-2021-2024) ## Find your exact Sonata - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2012) - [2011](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/2011) More Hyundai Sonata guides: - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/sonata/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.