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2008 Hyundai Sonata Review

August 19, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spare
Automotive.com

some might argue the design is also somewhat generic
Kelley Blue Book

gauges are ordinary but amply sized for legibility
Cars.com

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is good-looking, outside and in. Its proportions are well balanced, and its detailing is pleasant, if not remarkable.

According to Automotive.com, "the Hyundai Sonata 2008 remains refreshingly clean and spare, with sharply angled headlight housings and a quiet, clean-cut grille topped with a sliver of chrome," while Cars.com notes that "jeweled projector headlights sit up front," and "chrome-tipped dual exhausts are installed with the V-6 engine," adding that on the Hyundai 2008, "the horizontal taillights look a lot like those on the previous-generation Honda Accord." Kelley Blue Book comments "some might argue the Hyundai Sonata 2008 design is also somewhat generic"; however, they praise "the Sonata's new styling, even if it's squarely on the conservative side" and "don't see any single design feature likely to turn anybody away from the car."

The two-tone interior of high-line Sonata models is easy to like, and the placement of controls is fairly straightforward. The base Sonata GLS has nice cloth inside, and the seats are comfortable. Although Edmunds opines that the interior of the Hyundai 2008 is "not exactly high on style," according to Automotive.com, "the overall look is clearly competitive with most in the class and better than some." Cars.com notes a bit more luxury inside the Hyundai Sonata 2008 passenger compartment: "the cabins are highlighted by soft, padded surfaces--even storage bins are lined. Overall, the interior is nicely done." They especially like the cockpit, saying the "gauges are ordinary but amply sized for legibility," while "controls are logical and within easy reach." ConsumerGuide adds that the 2008 Hyundai Sonata's "simple, white-on-black gauges are easy to read in any lighting condition...but the high-set audio deck places some functions just out of easy reach."

Conclusion

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata's styling isn't quite cutting edge, but it's pleasing enough.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spareAutomotive.comsome might argue the design is also somewhat genericKelley Blue Bookgauges are ordinary but amply sized for legibilityCars.com The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is good-looking, outside and in. Its proportions are well balanced, and its detailing is pleasant, if not remarkable. According to Automotive.com, "the Hyundai Sonata 2008 remains refreshingly clean and spare, with sharply angled headlight housings and a quiet, clean-cut grille topped with a sliver of chrome," while Cars.com notes that "jeweled projector headlights sit up front," and "chrome-tipped dual exhausts are installed with the V-6 engine," adding that on the Hyundai 2008, "the horizontal taillights look a lot like those on the previous-generation Honda Accord." Kelley Blue Book comments "some might argue the Hyundai Sonata 2008 design is also somewhat generic"; however, they praise "the Sonata's new styling, even if it's squarely on the conservative side" and "don't see any single design feature likely to turn anybody away from the car." The two-tone interior of high-line Sonata models is easy to like, and the placement of controls is fairly straightforward. The base Sonata GLS has nice cloth inside, and the seats are comfortable. Although Edmunds opines that the interior of the Hyundai 2008 is "not exactly high on style," according to Automotive.com, "the overall look is clearly competitive with most in the class and better than some." Cars.com notes a bit more luxury inside the Hyundai Sonata 2008 passenger compartment: "the cabins are highlighted by soft, padded surfaces--even storage bins are lined. Overall, the interior is nicely done." They especially like the cockpit, saying the "gauges are ordinary but amply sized for legibility," while "controls are logical and within easy reach." ConsumerGuide adds that the 2008 Hyundai Sonata's "simple, white-on-black gauges are easy to read in any lighting condition...but the high-set audio deck places some functions just out of easy reach." ConclusionThe 2008 Hyundai Sonata's styling isn't quite cutting edge, but it's pleasing enough.  2008 HYUNDAI SONATA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Automotive.com: "the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spare" Kelley Blue Book: "some might argue the design is also somewhat generic" Cars.com: "gauges are ordinary but amply sized for legibility" The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The mid-size sedan segment is the most popular and hotly contested in the United States. Even though the 2008 Hyundai Sonata was redesigned and introduced as an all-new 2006 model, it is tied for being the oldest in this group. (The Ford Fusion was also introduced in 2006, the Nissan and Toyota in 2007, and the Honda in 2008.)

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See the Hyundai Sonata in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (5 total)

  1. By G. R. #1, Posted: 5/16/2009

    my 08 sonata is a piece of crap

    Do yourself a huge favor, pay a tiny bit more and get a Honda.
    My 08 Sonata is extremely unreliable. I died twice on a major hwy going 60 MPH. I was standing there, cars shooting by me, could have been killed. My brakes deterioriated complete down to the rotors at 18,000 miles.
    They told me it was normal & I had to pay.
    Meanwhile my 05 Oddessy with 45,000 miles still doesnt need brakes & my husbands 03 Acura TL only needed brakes at 50,000.
    This car is disgusting, havent had one this bad since the American cars in the 70's.
    Lucky I only leased it. Cant wait till the lease is up so I can give them back their piece of crap!!

  2. By sam #2, Posted: 5/16/2009

    Mr

    We have a Sonata and it is great. No problems. The comments by G.R. are suspect for a ruse.

  3. By Karen #3, Posted: 8/10/2009

    Buyer be- ware... My 2008 Sonata rear window spontaneously shattered when I closed the driver side door getting in to drive. Hyundai refused to acknowledge this was a glass defect. Could have caused severe injury to my passengers, so glad no one was in the back seat. I was quite traumatized as well. Stay away from this car.

  4. By Karen #4, Posted: 8/10/2009

    p.s. here's my case # at Hyundai customer service, 3669287. Look it up by calling Hyundai customer service @ 800-633-5151.

  5. By connie #5, Posted: 8/28/2009

    8/28/09...6:50a.m. driving I476 North, Haverford Twp., PA, my sunroof shattered, unprovoked, sounded like a gunshot in my brand new 2009 (muileage at time of incident: 199!) Elantra Touring. Weather: 70F, raining. Thought someone dropped a bowling ball off an overpass, but...no overpass in sight. At first, Hyundai Service Mgr, insisted must have been a rock, but after I looked at him real hard, he conceded & I am currently driving a "loaner" while they order in new glass. I will keep documentation, in case I need to argue defective construction. Seems to be an issue with foreign vehicles/

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