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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 2009 Hyundai SonataBrowse Used Listings |  2009 Chevrolet MalibuBrowse Used Listings |  2009 Toyota CamryBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Nissan AltimaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||
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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 Chevrolet Malibu is a top contender in its class in almost every way. |
The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid melds the automaker's proven, hybrid system into America's bread-and-butter sedan. What's not to like? |
The 2008 Nissan Altima is a little sportier, though not less sensible. |
| MSRP From | |||
| $18,700 | $21,605 | $19,145 | $18,620 |
| Gas Mileage | |||
| 19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||
| Gas I4 | Gas 4-Cyl | Gas I4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||
| Large | Midsize | Mid-Size | Midsize |
| Style Name | |||
| 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual GLS | 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS | 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual (SE) | 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5 |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||
| 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | |||
| Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
| 2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu | 2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2009 Toyota Camry | 2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2008 Nissan Altima | |
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