2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. Its Competition

2009 Hyundai Sonata
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

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).

2009 Hyundai Sonata2009 Hyundai Sonata
Browse Used Listings		2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid2009 Chevrolet Malibu
Browse Used Listings		2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2009 Toyota Camry
Browse Used Listings		2008 Nissan Altima 2-door Coupe I4 Man S Front Exterior View2008 Nissan Altima
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.8
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.
8.6
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a top contender in its class in almost every way.
7.6
The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid melds the automaker's proven, hybrid system into America's bread-and-butter sedan. What's not to like?
8.4
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 Hwy22 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy
Engine   
Gas I4Gas 4-CylGas I4Gas I4
EPA Class   
LargeMidsizeMid-SizeMidsize
Style Name   
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual GLS4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS4-Door Sedan I4 Manual (SE)4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5
Drivetrain   
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity   
5555
Passenger Doors   
N/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style   
4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan
Transmission   
Manual w/ODAutomatic w/ODManual w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2009 Toyota Camry2009 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2008 Nissan Altima