2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

• Competes with: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord
• Looks like: Last year’s Sonata with a slightly altered exterior, and totally new interior
• Drivetrain: 175 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or automatic transmission, 249 hp 3.3-liter V-6 with five-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: February 2008

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata may not look much different from the outside, but inside, the cabin gets a radical reworking that classes up a solid underachiever in the competitive midsize sedan segment even though like the new Accord, the Sonata is classified as a large sedan because of interior volume. Both four-cylinder and V-6 models get bumps in power and fuel economy, making the Sonata the most efficient car amongst its chief rivals, even if by a single mpg.

The four- and six-cylinder engines get a boost of 13 and 15 hp, respectively, and are now rated at 21/32 mpg and 19/29 mpg respectively. The V-6 comes with a standard five-speed automatic with a manual mode, unlike the new Accord.

The front end gets a new grille and bumpers to give it a deeper look vertically, but the most welcome change comes inside where the dash, center console and other materials borrow from the more upscale Hyundai Veracruz. It’s a big step up.

There are still three trim levels, GLS, SE and Limited and all three have standard stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints and six airbags as well as standard cruise control and heated side mirrors. One new standard is a USB/iPod auxiliary input across the line-up. A navigation system will be offered as an option for the first time.

Again, Hyundai aims at value over flash and delivers a lot in the new Sonata. Check out more photos below, including comparisons of the old and new interiors.

Comments

While I do like the exterior tweaks, the interior is MUCH, MUCH better. I would definitely consider this now for my next new car purchase.

Anyone notice how much similar the 2009 Sonata looks compared to the Genesis pictured in the KickingTires logo just above it? Not surprising I guess since they are from the same manufacturer but I'm beginning to worry more and more whether the car-buying public will buy a $35-40,000 Hyundai. I hope the Genesis doesn't go the way of the VW Phaeton.

How is the Sonata an underachiever? It is rated higher than the Fusion, Milan, Prius, Aura and Optima in the latest Consumer Reports. The V6 Sonata is ranked 1 point below than the new 4 cylinder Malibu in the latest CR.

In fact, the Malibu is loved by the latest consumer reports to quote: "The redesigned Malibu now ranks among the best family sedans, just below the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry."

I never did like the old interior in the Sonata, but it is a nice car especially in the v6 models. What other vanilla looking car for 23k can you do 143 mph in anyway? :-)

This midcycle refresh is definitely welcomed. The segment in which it competes is fierce so smart decision for reworking the interior. The old design was a good one, but had its moments. The exterior kinda is a snoozer but I hope they incorporate some flare in the SE trim. The previous Euroflang wheels were a marvel. Its seems as though they are making their name plate move up market slowly. Now they can play serious with a NAV finally making it into this Sonata. No more four speed auto please, its done for. Props to Hyundai for listening carefully to the needs and wants of its buyers.

On the recent issue of C/D, they just put up a comparison of the 4 cylinder version against the midsizer, and this one beat the Camry.
(But behind Accord and Altima.)

Liger is right about the 143 mph. I read a story about a photo radar camera in Arizona catching a guy in a Sonata doing 140+ mph. That's a fast car for the money.

Wow, this is a big improvement. Now the Sonata doesn't look like you got it for a value.

The improvements are great, though I am not totally feeling the rear almost completely red taillights.

The Navigation looks great the way it is integrated, no lines interrupting the smooth faceplate making it look jabbed in there like Ford's.

I can't tell, but the gauges definitely needed to be redone. Hope the are!!

Yes it did beat the Camry and yet C&D also said it's weakness was the suspension. The Sonata SE, which they didnt test gets a new sport-tuned suspension with stiffer dampening, sway bar changes, etc. Wonder if that would propel it above or near the others. Frankly, who races their mid-size anyway. Having owned a previous Sonata, I would buy one is a second.

To me, now this car looks good inside and out.
This model might take Hyundai to the promised land.

The interior looks like an evolution to me. The old one looked okay and don't see alot of differences. Exterior wise, it seems nice but bland. That might not be a negative here since midsized tend to go conservative. I rented the previous generation and thought it was nice car. I hope some make it through the rental fleet. Love to buy one slightly used.

we like a lot of Hyundai products and the old Sonata held its own against the old Camry and Accord, but they need a new one to compete at all with the new Accord and Malibu. We'll have to drive the new one and see how it does.

I called it an underachiever simply because its sales numbers are underachieving.

I can't stop looking at this car.

Looks like a smaller Genesis. 2 bad Budget prolly won't have any at the end of this month when I rent a car! I don't wanna rent an '08 cuz there is no MP3 jack for my navi. Would luv 2 c an interior pic of the non-navi model.

Looks like they did a "Honda" type redo on the taillights with changing the orange turn signals to red!?

Yeah, it kinda looks that way, Dee. I personally think it's a nice touch, though, even if it does seem a tad Accordish.

As an aside, I'll be testing the '09 on Friday. Perhaps I'll post back with some first-hand impressions. :-)

Does the 2009 Sonata have foldable rear view mirrors? - the 2008 Sonata has the "rigid rears" whereas the Elantra's (further down the scale)were foldable.

how much is the new sonata 2008 ?!