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2008 Hyundai Sonata Quality Review

August 19, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

enough interior room to meet the EPA's definition of a large car
Automotive.com

trunk space is ample...abundant interior storage
ConsumerGuide

cabin exudes a fair amount of quality
Edmunds

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is reasonably quiet and comfortable, in the opinion of reviewers from around the Web and those at TheCarConnection.com.

Automotive.com says the Hyundai Sonata 2008 has "enough interior room to meet the EPA's definition of a large car...roomier in almost every dimension than most of its mid-size competitors, with a full-size edge in creature comfort." Cars.com notes this Hyundai 2008 "has recessed rear head restraints and can seat up to five occupants," and that a "60/40-split folding rear seat is installed," providing "greater distance between the driver and windshield pillar [that] enhances the sensation of roominess." ConsumerGuide had some complaints, however, reporting that some testers "have difficulty finding a comfortable driving position. Taller adults in particular may feel that they sit too close to the steering wheel, even with the telescopic steering column set to its furthest forward position."

Storage and cargo room aboard this Hyundai 2008 vehicle is generous and well done, according to Automotive.com: "the rear seatback is split 60/40 and folds to allow the transport of long objects, such as skis and snowboards or gardening tool, [but] storage bins and cubbies are about average for the class." ConsumerGuide disagrees: "abundant interior storage is highlighted by a generous glovebox, two-tier center-armrest console, and large door map pockets." Cars.com reports that Hyundai Sonata 2008 "cargo volume totals 16.3 cubic feet...maximized thanks to strut assists that open the trunk from the sides, as opposed to the arm-style hinges many competitors use, which encroach on luggage space when shut."

ConsumerGuide postulates that "some newer rivals meet and exceed Sonata for overall build quality," and Automotive.com finds fault with "some rough edges on a few plastic molds and a less-than-lustrous finish on some dash panels." Kelley Blue Book is kinder, saying that "the attractive environment also features nicer materials and cleaner designs than many might expect, with the possible exception of the center of the instrument panel, and the 2008 Hyundai Sonata's designers have done a fine job in minimizing the effects of inexpensive plastic." Edmunds concurs, remarking "the Hyundai 2008 Sonata's cabin exudes a fair amount of quality via the precise feel of most controls and an abundance of soft-touch surfaces."

"Wind and road noise is decently muted," says Automotive.com. Consumer Guide notes that "engine noise rises with speed, but it isn't annoying."

Hyundai also backs it the 2008 Sonata with a 5-year/50,000-mile basic warranty plus a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. This excellent warranty coverage goes a long way toward addressing quality concerns over this Korean mid-size sedan and shifting the opinions people have.

Conclusion

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata has large-car room and improved interior quality.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:enough interior room to meet the EPA's definition of a large carAutomotive.comtrunk space is ample...abundant interior storageConsumerGuidecabin exudes a fair amount of qualityEdmunds The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is reasonably quiet and comfortable, in the opinion of reviewers from around the Web and those at TheCarConnection.com. Automotive.com says the Hyundai Sonata 2008 has "enough interior room to meet the EPA's definition of a large car...roomier in almost every dimension than most of its mid-size competitors, with a full-size edge in creature comfort." Cars.com notes this Hyundai 2008 "has recessed rear head restraints and can seat up to five occupants," and that a "60/40-split folding rear seat is installed," providing "greater distance between the driver and windshield pillar [that] enhances the sensation of roominess." ConsumerGuide had some complaints, however, reporting that some testers "have difficulty finding a comfortable driving position. Taller adults in particular may feel that they sit too close to the steering wheel, even with the telescopic steering column set to its furthest forward position." Storage and cargo room aboard this Hyundai 2008 vehicle is generous and well done, according to Automotive.com: "the rear seatback is split 60/40 and folds to allow the transport of long objects, such as skis and snowboards or gardening tool, [but] storage bins and cubbies are about average for the class." ConsumerGuide disagrees: "abundant interior storage is highlighted by a generous glovebox, two-tier center-armrest console, and large door map pockets." Cars.com reports that Hyundai Sonata 2008 "cargo volume totals 16.3 cubic feet...maximized thanks to strut assists that open the trunk from the sides, as opposed to the arm-style hinges many competitors use, which encroach on luggage space when shut." ConsumerGuide postulates that "some newer rivals meet and exceed Sonata for overall build quality," and Automotive.com finds fault with "some rough edges on a few plastic molds and a less-than-lustrous finish on some dash panels." Kelley Blue Book is kinder, saying that "the attractive environment also features nicer materials and cleaner designs than many might expect, with the possible exception of the center of the instrument panel, and the 2008 Hyundai Sonata's designers have done a fine job in minimizing the effects of inexpensive plastic." Edmunds concurs, remarking "the Hyundai 2008 Sonata's cabin exudes a fair amount of quality via the precise feel of most controls and an abundance of soft-touch surfaces." "Wind and road noise is decently muted," says Automotive.com. Consumer Guide notes that "engine noise rises with speed, but it isn't annoying." Hyundai also backs it the 2008 Sonata with a 5-year/50,000-mile basic warranty plus a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. This excellent warranty coverage goes a long way toward addressing quality concerns over this Korean mid-size sedan and shifting the opinions people have. ConclusionThe 2008 Hyundai Sonata has large-car room and improved interior quality.  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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