Hyundai Sonata

Price Paid:  $18000.00 from Brownsville Tx

Year / Model Reviewed:
2009 Sonata

Strengths:
Nice trunk. Steering wheel radio controls are nice also.

Weaknesses:
The 5 year warranty must be a farce since Hyundai refuses to repair the problem.

Summary:
If you are only going to drive around town this car may be ok but if you are going to take a 3000 mile trip like I did be ready to do it without cruise control. The cruise control will kick the transmission out of overdrive on every slight grade(overpasses, bridges etc.) one or more times in most every mile. You will get terrible fuel mileage while in cruise mode (23 mpg. or so)This will have to shorten the life of the transmission and is just plain irritateing. Also has alot of rattles and road noise.

Similar Products Used:
Elantra,Saturn,Escort.Malibu

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $14500.00 from Autofair Hyundai

Year / Model Reviewed:
2009 Hyundai Sonata

Strengths:
Gas-mileage (29 to 31 typical). Roomy interior and trunk, Comfy seats. Unbeatable warranty.
It looks good...

Weaknesses:
-Dash looks dated (since corrected with 2009).
-Interior colors too light--will show dirt too easily. (since corrected with 2009).

Summary:
Bought this after looking at similar class vehicles. Great power for 4-cyl (with manual transmission); smooth engine. Plenty of room, quiet. Loaded with excellent features: anti-lock brakes, stability control; lots of airbags.
I love that Hyundai installed a timing chain and not a timing belt!

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Price Paid:  $18870.00 from Valley Stream Hyunda

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Strengths:
Taut ride while being confortable and quite
Great 4-cylinder performance
XM radio standard
Respectful styling

Weaknesses:
Rear speakers could use more bass

Summary:
My mothers 2003 Sonata was a nice car and the 2008 is even better. It is a safe and confortable car.

Price Paid:  $21000.00 from Henderson Hyundai

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Sonata

Strengths:
Engine, transmission, suspension, stereo (adjusted the audio controls it has some boom!) interior quality, exterior quality very nimble and light on its feet steering is precise and communicates the manumatic transmission is the best and holds revs!!!

Weaknesses:
none at all!

Summary:
This has to be one of the best cars in the market! I have the 2.4L GLS model with the necessary stuff that is standard on all Hyundai's plus I got a moonroof and power seats! I work for a Nissan dealership and was planning on getting the new 2008 Altima but I never liked it, even now! This Sonata has the best interior and exterior quality and I have to say that the great materials on this vehicles don't fade as quickly or get scarred as my previous vehicle a 2006 Altima 3.5SE. This is a fun to drive vehicle and it looks good from every angle, unlike the current Altima with it's nasty styling, bad interior space and the same goes for the coupe. It also feels more substantial, compared to the 2008 Altima and it has a great warranty! I've owned a Hyundai before and this company has come up from what they were 20 years ago! I love my Hyundai and would purchase another one. The Altima is too hyped up and gimmicky for my taste and it isn't the best vehicle out there. The interior quality is sub par, the ride and handling is more sporting but it feels less substantial compared to other cars in its class. Also the entry level models don't come with the standard features that my Sonata has. It may rate high with consumer reports but in a current Motortrend comparison test it got a 4th place win, not to mention the Altima coupe lost to an Accord Coupe in an Edmunds.com comparison test and in a Car and Drive comparison test it again lost to the current generation Accord. If you look at the Altima it is quite small compared to other cars in its class.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Morrie's, Brooklyn P

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Strengths:
Roominess. I'm 6'1", 260lbs. Fuel economy. Finish. Ride. Sound system. Too many strengths to list.

Weaknesses:
Would like fold-away mirrors.

Summary:
A true value. Smooth,very quiet and quick, loaded with standard options. Traded in my 2005 Santa Fe...also a trouble-free vehicle.

Similar Products Used:
Wife drives a 2006 Nissan Altima. Her next car will be a Sonata.