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2009 Hyundai Sonata Review

May 22, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spare
Automotive.com

revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory
LeftLaneNews

interior “looks a lot like the Veracruz
MyRide.com

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is good-looking, outside and in. Its proportions are well balanced, and its detailing is pleasant—and its newly revamped interior is a standout. It comes in three trim levels all with essentially identical styling: GLS, SE and Limited.

A slight update gives the Sonata a new bumper and grille, but LeftLaneNews points out “most casual observers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless the 2008 and 2009 models were parked side by side.” Automotive.com thinks "the Sonata 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, "the horizontal taillights look a lot like those on the previous-generation Honda Accord." Kelley Blue Book comments "some might argue the Sonata 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 interior of the Sonata’s been renovated this year and reviewers are enthusiastic about the look and feel. LeftLaneNews thinks the “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory.” It reminds MyRide of Hyundai’s seven-passenger Veracruz crossover. CNet notes that the cleaner design—with the radio and climate controls moved much higher on the dash—leaves “so much leftover space…that Hyundai places two small storage areas in the center stack, below the navigation unit.” The Limited improves upon base Sonatas, which Edmunds says “is particularly upscale, and is certainly the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata remains generically handsome—only now, it sports a terrific interior.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spareAutomotive.comrevamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territoryLeftLaneNewsinterior “looks a lot like the VeracruzMyRide.com The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is good-looking, outside and in. Its proportions are well balanced, and its detailing is pleasant—and its newly revamped interior is a standout. It comes in three trim levels all with essentially identical styling: GLS, SE and Limited. A slight update gives the Sonata a new bumper and grille, but LeftLaneNews points out “most casual observers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless the 2008 and 2009 models were parked side by side.” Automotive.com thinks "the Sonata 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, "the horizontal taillights look a lot like those on the previous-generation Honda Accord." Kelley Blue Book comments "some might argue the Sonata 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 interior of the Sonata’s been renovated this year and reviewers are enthusiastic about the look and feel. LeftLaneNews thinks the “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory.” It reminds MyRide of Hyundai’s seven-passenger Veracruz crossover. CNet notes that the cleaner design—with the radio and climate controls moved much higher on the dash—leaves “so much leftover space…that Hyundai places two small storage areas in the center stack, below the navigation unit.” The Limited improves upon base Sonatas, which Edmunds says “is particularly upscale, and is certainly the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000.” ConclusionThe 2009 Hyundai Sonata remains generically handsome—only now, it sports a terrific interior. 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automotive.com: "the Hyundai Sonata remains refreshingly clean and spare" LeftLaneNews: “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory” MyRide.com: interior “looks a lot like the Veracruz” The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The true competition for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is the large four-door sedan with less emphasis on road manners and more emphasis on comfort. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long dominated this niche, though the Camry’s reliability has slipped by some reports and the Accord’s styling has ventured off on a slightly odd tangent. The Nissan Altima’s an exceptional large sedan, with quick steering and slick styling, but a less useful trunk and like all but the Accord, less room overall than the Sonata. The Chevrolet Malibu scores like the Sonata in room and style, and like the Camry and Altima, it comes in hybrid trim too (covered in separate reviews).

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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 (2 total)

  1. By  Keith Ainsley #1, Posted: 8/1/2009

    I looked at Honda and went with a 2009 Sonata GLS. I feel I was getting a better car for my money. The car seems to keep out road noise better and really all the Honda sales rep could say "It's a Honda." With cash rebates and warranties I feel I did better with this car.
    I got sunroof, Bluetooh, iPod connect, etc. Unlike my Chevy Cobalt everything seems to fit like it should.
    My first foreign car. My last General Motors vehicle. I hate to say that but I want value for my money. GM just doesn't have anything for me anymore and probably never will.

  2. By David K #2, Posted: 8/2/2009

    I too have a 2009 GLS Sonata. Prior to that I had the 2006 GL Sonata (car wreck ended the 3 1/2 year journey together) and I also traded my dreaded Cobalt in for it. The Sonata has easily been the best car I have ever owned. I love what you get for the money, and the new inteior is wayyy better. It is a combination of the reliability experience and the updates that made me go with another Sonata. You honestly cannot go wrong with this car. I was just in a 2009 Accord for a week on vacation and I really was not impressed. The Sonata isn't as agile but I'll take the more comfortable ride over bumps. Definitely seemed a little quieter than the Accord in some aspects as well. The Accord is also half a foot longer, the Sonata has just as much leg room without adding more of a hassle for parallel parking. Highly Recommended vehicle for the practical minds out there.

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