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2010 Hyundai Sonata Review

October 16, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000
Edmunds

interior “looks a lot like the Veracruz
MyRide.com

revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory
LeftLaneNews

The 2010 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim levels, all with essentially identical styling: GLS, SE, and Limited. Last year the Sonata got a light touch-up at the front and rear, with most of the sedan's sheetmetal carried over; that's fine as the Sonata is nicely proportioned, if a bit conservative. Last year, the Sonata also got a more substantial redo inside, with new soft-touch plastics and padded surfaces, plus a matte-metallic finish.

From the outside, “most casual observers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference" from the recent exterior face-lift, opines Leftlane News. 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."

Meanwhile, there are plenty of proponents of the exterior. MyRide.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."

Last year, the Sonata gained a completely reworked interior, and reviewers are enthusiastic about the look and feel. Leftlane News thinks the “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory,” and Edmunds says that the Limited improves upon base Sonatas, describing it as "particularly upscale," and "certainly the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000.” It reminds MyRide.com of Hyundai’s seven-passenger Veracruz crossover, and 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.”

Conclusion

The 2010 Hyundai Sonata isn't anything special from the outside, but it has a top-notch interior.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000Edmundsinterior “looks a lot like the VeracruzMyRide.comrevamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territoryLeftLaneNews The 2010 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim levels, all with essentially identical styling: GLS, SE, and Limited. Last year the Sonata got a light touch-up at the front and rear, with most of the sedan's sheetmetal carried over; that's fine as the Sonata is nicely proportioned, if a bit conservative. Last year, the Sonata also got a more substantial redo inside, with new soft-touch plastics and padded surfaces, plus a matte-metallic finish. From the outside, “most casual observers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference" from the recent exterior face-lift, opines Leftlane News. 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." Meanwhile, there are plenty of proponents of the exterior. MyRide.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." Last year, the Sonata gained a completely reworked interior, and reviewers are enthusiastic about the look and feel. Leftlane News thinks the “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory,” and Edmunds says that the Limited improves upon base Sonatas, describing it as "particularly upscale," and "certainly the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000.” It reminds MyRide.com of Hyundai’s seven-passenger Veracruz crossover, and 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.” ConclusionThe 2010 Hyundai Sonata isn't anything special from the outside, but it has a top-notch interior. 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "the most elegant environment one can inhabit for less than $25,000" MyRide.com: interior “looks a lot like the Veracruz” LeftLaneNews: “revamped interior moves Hyundai upward into premium territory” The 2010 Hyundai Sonata ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The mid-size sedan field has long been ruled by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, though the Camry no longer has the top-notch reliability and build quality it once did, and the Honda Accord has gone off in left field in terms of styling. Meanwhile, the Nissan Altima is an exceptional large sedan, with responsive handling and sporty styling to match; however, it has less space overall than the Sonata, and its CVT automatic is a less appealing combination than the Sonata's four-cylinder and five-speed automatic. The Chevrolet Malibu is just as roomy as the Sonata, with a very comfortable ride and well-appointed interior, though its four-cylinder engine isn't quite as smooth and quiet. The Ford Fusion is a slight step smaller than the rest but feels much sportier overall.

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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 Big Mike #1, Posted: 10/21/2009

    I rented a 2010 Sonata in September
    out in Arizona....I drove it from Phoenix
    to Holbrook I-17 to 40, to snowflake, back to phoenix (via AZ-87) and it was full from
    the airport and it cost me about $40 is gas
    this car had the 4cyl and could hold highway
    speeds up to 100 mph with no problem...i can only imagine how the 6 cyl would run.
    this car compares to the 2001 honda accord
    as for the new accords i don't like the styling....i still have an 01 accord you can bet when I need a new car Hyundai here I come...its worth the price

  2. By Tyler #2, Posted: 11/3/2009

    I am korean. I recommend you to buy the car which is made by Hyundai. because Hyundai isn't Korean company but the global company.
    And they are making a the best-quality car for world people. The price is cheaper than the other car despite of the same quality.

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