The New Honda Element Dog Friendly Package is...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>

Car Compare Results

Add a Car
 

2009 Hyundai Sonata

2009 Kia Optima
  2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2009 Kia Optima LX
MSRP
$18,700
$17,495
Invoice $17,922 $16,510
MPG
City/Highway		 19/32 20/32
Rating 7.8 6.4
Bottomline TheCarConnection.com still rates the Honda Accord as the family-sedan champion, but the 2009 Hyundai Sonata lands solidly in the upstart tier that includes the Mazda6, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu. The 2009 Kia Optima is a thoroughly competent, comfortable mid-size sedan that’s sorely lacking in personality and excitement—even with a modest spice-up for this year.
Likes &
Dislikes

Likes:

  • Vastly improved interior
  • Handsome exterior styling
  • Smooth new four-cylinder engine
  • Great warranty

Dislikes:

  • Seats feel somewhat flat
  • Bluetooth integration a little quirky
  • Steering feels less precise than competition

Likes:

  • Spacious cabin
  • Large trunk
  • Easy maneuverability

Dislikes:

  • Conservative, anonymous styling
  • Dull interior materials
  • Anti-lock brakes not available on the base model
  • No satellite radio or Bluetooth interface
  Read the full review Read the full review

Comments (1 total)

  1. By eichler1 #1, Posted: 8/24/2009

    I just rented a Kia Optima and it *did* have a satellite radio! Its 4-cylinder engine was lively, the handling commendable, the interior was perfectly adequate, though the seats felt a bit cheap, and it got mileage in the high 20s in a combination of fast freeway driving (80+mph), small town driving and a little city driving. The biggest drawback was the clunky automatic tranny, but these are available with a manual. I actually prefer the clean styling of the Optima (and the Sonata) to the junkier, slab-sided look of some of the others, particularly the Camry. That said, my preference still lies with the Altima, with its CVT and strong driver orientation.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy

From Around the Web:

2009 Hyundai Sonata Expert Reviews

See all 2009 Hyundai Sonata Expert Reviews

From Around the Web:

2009 Kia Optima Consumer Opinions

See all 2009 Kia Optima Consumer Opinions

advertisement

Add a Vehicle to Compare




Change a Vehicle to Compare