Comments on: 2009 Hyundai Sonata revealed [updated]

By: learningstill

learningstill — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:57:00 +0000

It has been over 2 years since we purchased new, our 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4L. I have owned Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas, Chevolets, Fords, Pontiacs, and others to name a few. I have to say that this vehicle ranks as one of the best. We have not have one speck of trouble with this vehicle. When we purchased the vehicle, Hyundai was offering a $3000.00 rebate. With the rebate and cash price we worked out we were able to pick up a new 2009 Sonata GLS with bluetooth, inside and trunk mats, cargo net, electric front seats, chrome trim, and etc for just over $16,100.00. To say the least we are very satisfied with our selection and purchase.

A side note: I recently switched air filters to a K & N permanent and I have increased gas mileage, in town, 1 mpg. I then changed spark plugs to the new Pulsar and had an increase in gas mileage, also in town, of 4 mpg. Plus I had a notable increase in power(acceleration). The last thing I have tried was adding acetone to my tank to lower the “level of vaporization”. This has also increased my mileage, in town so far, about 1 mpg. I added acetone at a rate of 1 oz to 10 gallons of gasoline. The main trick is to not get any of the acetone on the paint because it can dissolve and ruin the paint.

By: TakeNoBull

TakeNoBull — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 04:19:14 +0000

I spent two weeks looking at cars mostly reading reviews on sites like this. In all the reviews that were written by the experts Hyundai if not judged the best was judged a good car and reliable. The reviews that were written by drivers and owners were very high as a rule. To me it all starts with reliability. I don’t have money to throw away. After that comes all the rest. I bought the Sonata SE with the V-6. I’m not here to say its better or worse then the contenders. I saw it as a fine looking car which had the appearance of quality. I then had reviews showing reliability and I observed quality. I found that the motor was powerful the transmission very smooth and quiet. The interior is comfortable for me at 6’2″. On driving the car there was no ROAD noise very quiet interior. Most of the reviews I read about the Accord said it had road noise and has for years. That was a no starter for me. There are two reasons I would have bought another car and they are if the car was sure to be better and near the Hyundai price. Obviously that didn’t happen.

By: kevguy

kevguy — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:31:30 +0000

I’ve been driving the 2009 Sonata GLS Sport V6 around for the last couple of weeks and HOLY F@#$! The simplistic styling of the interior and exterior are simply put, smart ergonomics. There is absolutely no confusion about where the controls are placed. The engine is smooth and quiet. The power is sublime until the pedal goes down, and then, with minimal torque steer the car absolutely stands and delivers beyond any Pony-hater’s wildest imaginations. With the ESC disabled the car loves to smoke tires, but never feels too close to the edge of control. 220 km/h (140mph)on the highway is no difficult feat to attain, and the stability of the vehicle is incredible. Highway noise is practically non-existant at any speed, and long hauls are easy and comfortable.

By: redscion

redscion — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:17:28 +0000

This car looks great, especially the interior. The Accord, the 6, the Camry, and the Altima still look better but are also alot more expensive. But at least you can still get a nice car for under $20K.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:15:29 +0000

R-Head: You’re dead-on.

Veda: There’sa difference between “viets”and americans of vietnamese extraction.

By: Veda

Veda — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:30:57 +0000

Well surprisingly some of the more famous names in the computer industry are owned by viets (american viets that is) but I forgot which ones. I know Linksys and Tripath are owned by asians. I mentioned that Lamborghini used to be owned by an Asian dictator’s son. It’s really impossible to hate a company based on who owns it anymore.

By: autonut

autonut — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:17:26 +0000

Veda, thanks God it’s not Vietnamese. some folks would be shooting at it and I probably would join.

By: gbb

gbb — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:58:04 +0000

Pray no one was killed in the wreck.

Crappy little beaters made for morons………catchy isnt it? It should be in Hundai/Kia’s theme song. Maybe they could get Joe Isuzu to sing it for them, I am told he is out of work and could probably use a few bucks.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:58:39 +0000

No Hyundai should be mimicking designs from Honda Honda’s actually sell ! What should they do mimic an American design and have it sit on the lot ?
The interior is a blatant Honda Acura rip off and the back looks like the last Accord and the front is the TL but they have the right idea
Cant wait for the redesign I think this looks dated

By: Commodore

Commodore — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:26:32 +0000

Isn’t the H supposed to stand for Hyundai?…not Honda? So stop ripping this off (the back, elements of the interior)

By: Ray Sinclair

Ray Sinclair — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:21:04 +0000

I just heard Hyundai will be raising the price on this car. The base model will cost hundreds more than the base Malibu and it will even cost slightly more than the Camry. If this pig flies, it certainly will slam the door shut on some of your arguments, that’s for sure. Hyundai’s balls are getting bigger everyday. We shall see if it works.

By: nitinsharma1000

nitinsharma1000 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:34:21 +0000

I would either get an accord or altima over this and the malibu anyday.

By: Veda

Veda — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:16:56 +0000

^^ Luckily it’s the korean, if it’s the chinese you wouldn’t be able to live normally in your everyday life.

By: AxeHead

AxeHead — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:30:21 +0000

I hate Korean cars, I think I hate everything Korean.

By: steve333

steve333 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:13:28 +0000

ZZZZZzzzzzz.
Why would anyone pick this snore-mobile over the new Malibu?

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:59:47 +0000

Yikes. In this class the Malibu rules. And the Aura and Mazda 6.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:32:04 +0000

Its interesting that Hyundai got the interior right with this on ebut now the exterior needs an update Either way a great choice over the Malibu Fusion and Sebring Speaking of Sebring Chysler can learn a thing or two about interiors by looking at this car

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:49:14 +0000

autonut: I drove the Malibu right after I got back, and the Acoord last week. The accord is bigger, and exceeded my expectations. The Malibu felt like a marginally better car. Quieter on the inside, and it didn’t vibrate as much, but I think the Accord was just a bad tester. I imagine if I drove another one, it’d feel more solid

Veda: The genesis is a winner, if Hyundai gets some salespeople who exude the class the car is trying to project. Sell tyhe genesis in the far corner of the showroom, and keep the accent buyers away.
Lane Pratley will have an Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy time moving the Genesis.

By: Veda

Veda — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:16:16 +0000

Why are we arguing about something as bland as this car or the Camry, Accord, and Malibu. The Genesis is the game changer. Even if you’re not going to get the Genesis, if they can truly pull it off, the germans will have to really improve on their next gen cars or at least add more standard features which can only mean better deal for us consumers.

By: mazdaman

mazdaman — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:01:28 +0000

The exterior is not offensive, but it is bland, derivative, and forgetable. Most of Hyundai’s recent products have suffered from this same issue. If Hyundai could really find its own distinct styling language to make it stand out, then I think it could make more of an impact on the market.

The mid-cycle interior upgrade looks to be a definite improvement.

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:18:57 +0000

I like the car, but I always kept distance from Hyundai. I would like to see some proof of quality, before I drop my coins. Also, could not stomach their dealers and sales staff. Bunch of pricks or convicts (rehabilitated if such thing can exists). But motor shows definite improvement.
BTW, jjt & Ricardo, I took Malibu on test drive right after Honda Accord. You got to do the same to feel the difference. They are in different league. Looks are subjective, and probably the feel of the car, but you cant compare acceleration and handling.

By: zoomzoomr

zoomzoomr — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:55:57 +0000

I liked the Sonata I rented two years ago.. plenty of power and comfort, the exterior was inoffensive and somewhat distinctive with its chromeless grille, and the interior seemed OK if nothing special. The restyle is much better inside and much worse outside. To my eyes, the weak point of the Azera was the bland, 90s-Acura-like front end that actually looked OLDER than that of the Sonata that debuted just a year earlier.. and now, several years later, the Sonata gets a nearly identical overchromed facelift that is hardly an improvement! Thankfully, the interior seems to have had a much better result.

By: Flipper

Flipper — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:53:38 +0000

I look at this car and see a 5 year old Accord. It has the simplicity and stats that made those cars great. but still this is a car that being sold on price 1st. And well I guess. . . thats the whole thing with this car. Its here to make things tough on the Chrysler Sebrings of the world.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:38:34 +0000

This is too bland, especially after having seen the genesis.

One of Hyundai/Kia’s selling points us that you get a lot of stuff in their cars. Looks like that’s gonna continue here.

RicardoHead: I find the Camry Butt-ugly, but not the accord (but it ain’t sexy). Though it looks better in magazines than in person. The coupe is the opposite. I’ve now driven the new accord, and I’ll have to say it exceeded my expectations. It’s much better than a previous accord, though there was just a feeling of cheapness upon closing the door, and the damn thing vibrated more than I would’ve liked. On the latter point, I’m sure I just got a bad tester.

So, The Accord goes in my estimation from being an also-ran to all but Camry, toward the top of the list. The Malibu is marginally better, but my preference among all of them would probably be a Mazda6 or Aura. Sonata’s not bad, though.

LJ: the Malibu 4-cylinder is quite competent.

Rover3500: funny stuff at 230a on the 4th.

Comment by SSEAN54: “I just can’t understand how anyone would be excited about this thing. WHY???” Good point. Midsizers are not “exciting,” although I might make an exception for my brother’s Altima coupe.

vLane: don’t cite Consumer Reports, it makes you look soft-minded. Like those who think George W. is doing a good job.

Ray Sinclair: You’re probably more right than wrong.

By: Ray Sinclair

Ray Sinclair — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:19:41 +0000

Look at all the haters…shame on you! This car is brilliantly placed in its market. It shares the the market with the big guys: Accord, Camry, Altima, and now Malibu.
It looks classy, in and out. It’s priced slightly below the others, and it’s got a great warranty. Hyundai is on a roll. It could not have made a better decision for the mid-cycle freshening.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:53:06 +0000

Overall, nice car.

Vlane- Wait till you drive in one first. They’ve made changes to numerous vehicles, Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, etc.. and people have still called it soft.

By: illwill

illwill — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:57:39 +0000

Rover3500- “Show the world you’ve failed at life..Buy a Hyundai.”

G.O.A.T. quote.

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:44:20 +0000

vLane, please tell me people don’t still listen to Consumer Reports? That farce of a magazine has been stripped of its credibility for years.

By: vLane

vLane — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:16:41 +0000

The latest Sonata came out in 2006 with exactly three problems:
- soggy suspension
- crappy interior
- questionmark reliability (brand new Alabama plant and all)

Well, this 2008 update nails the first two points with one blow, and the latest issue of Consumer Reports shows the Sonata scoring a perfect 5/5 in reliability, just like the last-generation (which in 2005 was declared the most reliable vehicle — that’s VEHICLE — on the market).

A toast to progress!

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:08:55 +0000

Of course its a great deal they use child labor to build them and throw their waste into the sea.
Way to support the planet_dive.

By: jonnycat

jonnycat — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:05:04 +0000

Looks like a Taurus form the side.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:04:06 +0000

That dash design is nicer than teh new Accord. I sat in a new Accord for a second this weekend – the dash is hideous.

By: planet_drive

planet_drive — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:23:17 +0000

In my opinion this is one of the best cars you can buy for the money considering the level of equipment and performance your getting. I liked the previous years styling better, was more sporty and aggresive, this new exterior looks more bland and reserved. And why did Hyundai downgrade to narrower tires? Last year they hand 225/50 17 tires on some decent looking 5 spoke wheels. Reducing the tires to 215 width and adding those ugly wheels is a bad choice. The interior is very nice for a car in this price range. I hope they add a sport model with 18″ wheels and a beefier looking body. I drove a V6 sonata before and its a fast car, this one is now a little faster, but looks alot slower.

By: SRT-4Ken

SRT-4Ken — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:12:25 +0000

==========>>and the sound system in that thing was ROCKIN’!

By: SRT-4Ken

SRT-4Ken — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:12:01 +0000

==========>>only one problem wit LJ’s experience: all of his models mentioned were older models. My brother brought an ’06 Sonata top of the line version wit 3.3V6 17″wheels sunroof n all back in Jan06, and i must say….I own an ’04 Stage1 SRT-4, and i was apalled at how strong the acceleration was on that sonata. The ONLY nit pick WHATSOEVER about that car was that i never understood y tha driver seat was fully electronic but everything on the passenger seat was manual, on the top of the line version. But other than that, everytime i see him i straight race n dogg tha piss outta that car and he aint had a problem yet….

By: Veda

Veda — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:28:48 +0000

^^ If you’re a mexican in LA with minimum wage income.

By: jdasch1

jdasch1 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:27:09 +0000

Its still a Hyandai!! They continue to chase the Lexus brand with styling…and now price. Go rent one of these cars sometime. The noise, vibration and harshness of the ride will drive you crazy after a few days. This will probably be a little better than the previous years model, but it was fugly too. This one is bland and wait for the price…way too high for such a low build quality car.

By: SSEAN54

SSEAN54 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:07:06 +0000

I just can’t understand how anyone would be excited about this thing. WHY???

By: Z06ified

Z06ified — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:54:31 +0000

I think LJ’s experience perfectly sums up where Hyundai cuts corners: the hardware. They load their cars up with nice features, and sell them at a cheap price. They’re able to do this because they cut corners where you can’t see them in the showroom and the first few thousand miles of ownership. But underneath all those fancy features and nice stereo is a crappy car with substandard parts. Those parts end up breaking quickly and frequently, and even though the warranty covers *most* of them, bringing your car back to the dealer for repairs every month is no fun.

My uncle came to the same conclusion LJ did, after his ’01 Elantra gave him numerous problems including leaving him stranded once due to a faulty wiring harness. The warranty isn’t enough to offset the hassle of being unreliable. When he first got the car, he thought Hyundai was the best thing ever, and even bought his wife a new XG350. But as the car hasn’t aged well, and has given him lots of problems, he says he won’t buy another Hyundai. He had fewer problems with his last car, a Dodge Neon, and that car was a POS.

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:49:50 +0000

Wow, LLN has truly lost its way when people are saying this is the best interior on the market.

By: Captain Spadaro

Captain Spadaro — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:47:01 +0000

So, no chance of getting full leather seats on the SE?

By: Veda

Veda — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:05:47 +0000

Rover: Oh no, I just thought you must have lost a lot of sleep fantasizing about your Alfa Romeo. How often do you have to go cleaning the cum leak from its muffler?

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:42:49 +0000

Wait.
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Did someone actually say the Accord looks sexy?

By: Rover3500

Rover3500 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:30:05 +0000

Do you lie awake at night fantasisng about buying that shiney new Hyundai? Do you dream of going through the brochures and picking the colour? Do you get that little twinge of excitement when you see one drive by?

No of course you don’t. Show the world you’ve failed at life..Buy a Hyundai.

By: Ray Sinclair

Ray Sinclair — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:15:23 +0000

Love it. I rented a 4 cylinder sonata when this style first came out, and it was plenty strong. I had to look under the hood to make sure it wasn’t a V6. My only complaint about the car was the ugly, cheap-looking dash. Hyundai definitely fixed that issue…this is one of the most beautiful interiors on the market. Kudos, Hyundai.