1997 Hyundai Sonata Gas Tank Size and Capacity

Sedan 3 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 1996 1998 →

Fuel tank capacity

17.2gal · 65 L

The 1997 Hyundai Sonata has a fuel tank capacity of 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 378–447 highway miles or 275–327 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

17.2 gal · Smaller than 64% of 1997 models we list.

Highway range
378–447 mi
City range
275–327 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
18–21 MPG
EPA size class
Midsize Cars

1997 Hyundai Sonata fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Engine
no difference

All 3 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 19 / 26Range 327 / 447 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M FWD 17.2 gal65 L 19 / 26 327 / 447 mi
GL 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl 4A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 310 / 430 mi 2.0L 4cyl 4A FWD 17.2 gal65 L 18 / 25 310 / 430 mi
GLS 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 16 / 22Range 275 / 378 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 17.2 gal65 L 16 / 22 275 / 378 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 1997 Hyundai Sonata goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 20 MPG, a full 17.2-gallon tank covers about 344 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full17.2430310
3/412.9322232
1/28.6215155
1/44.310877
1/82.25439

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
18–21 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
423–494 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings ↗

What it costs to fill up a 1997 Hyundai Sonata

$73.44 to fill the 17.2-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
17.2 galRegular$4.27$73.44$55.08

By region, 17.2-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$69.14
Midwest$4.27$73.44
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$63.64
Rocky Mountain$4.46$76.71
West Coast$5.42$93.22
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$101.31

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 17.2-gallon tank$73.44
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Sonata tank size in other years

The 1997 Sonata uses the same 17.2 gal tank as the 1996 model.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2002 Sonata 17.2 gal 482 mi
2001 Sonata 17.2 gal 464 mi
2000 Sonata 17.2 gal 464 mi
1999 Sonata 17.2 gal 464 mi
1998 Sonata 17.2 gal 430 mi
1997 Sonata 17.2 gal 447 mi
1996 Sonata 17.2 gal 447 mi
1995 Sonata 16.9 gal 439 mi
1994 Sonata 17.2 gal 413 mi
1993 Sonata 15.8 gal 379 mi
1992 Sonata 15.9 gal 382 mi
Hyundai Sonata fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options

1997 Hyundai Sonata vs similar 1997 sedans

At 17.2 gallons, the Sonata's largest tank ranks third of the seven 1997 sedans compared here. The Nissan Maxima carries the most (18.5 gal) and the Oldsmobile Cutlass the least (15.2 gal).

1997 modelTankLongest highway range
Nissan Maxima 18.5 gal 481 mi
Volkswagen Passat 18.5 gal 777 mi
Hyundai Sonata 17.2 gal 447 mi
Dodge Stratus 16.0 gal 544 mi
Plymouth Breeze 16.0 gal 544 mi
Chrysler Cirrus 16.0 gal 448 mi
Oldsmobile Cutlass 15.2 gal 395 mi

Picked by body style and size: other 1997 sedans within about 5% of the Sonata's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.

1997 Hyundai Sonata fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, out of 2 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Storage · Tank assemblyOct 2, 2000 · NHTSA 00V314001 · Hyundai Motor Company · 66,086 vehicles

Vehicle description: accent gt model vehicles equipped with dohc engines manufactured from december 19, 1996 through june 30, 1997; 1998 accent model vehicles manufactured from may 6, 1997 through june 25, 1998; 1997 sonata vehicles manufactured from august 1, 1996 through july 9, 1997 and 1998 sonata vehicles produced from july 9, 1997 through april 24, 1998. The evaporative emission control systems may apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. Minor fuel tank distortion could result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The "check engine" light would then illuminate and, in some cases, the vehicle driver could notice a gasoline odor.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If it is cracked, a new fuel tank will be installed. A new fuel filler cap that decreases the amount of vacuum inside the fuel tank will also be installed. Note: the 1997-1998 sonata fuel tanks have also experienced cracking. However, at this time, the cause for the cracking has not been identified. This portion of the campaign will begin after hyundai has determined the cause and corrective procedure.

Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata?

The 1997 Hyundai Sonata holds 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata gas tank hold?

The 1997 Hyundai Sonata tank holds 65 liters, or 17.2 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 1997 Hyundai Sonata go on a full tank?

About 378–447 miles on the highway and 275–327 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 1997 Hyundai Sonata go on a quarter tank?

About 108 highway miles or 77 in town from the 17.2-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

What gas does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 Hyundai Sonata?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 17.2-gallon tank from empty costs $73.44. It ranges from $63.64 in the Gulf Coast to $101.31 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 Hyundai Sonata?

About 107 pounds for the 17.2-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1997 Hyundai Sonata have a bigger gas tank than the Dodge Stratus?

Yes. The 1997 Hyundai Sonata holds up to 17.2 gallons; the 1997 Dodge Stratus holds up to 16.0.

Has the 1997 Hyundai Sonata had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata: 00V314001 (storage · tank assembly). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, cross-checked against a second spec database. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026.
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database.

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 1997 Hyundai models