2009 Hyundai Sonata

Korean automaker Hyundai has spent a decade working hard to change its image from cheap to quality, and from entry level to upscale automobiles people aspire to own. It has been doing this the best way a car company can: by significantly improving every vehicle in its line and introducing fresh new ones that meet or surpass the competition in nearly every way. Last year’s Veracruz premium crossover and this year’s Genesis luxury sedan move the Hyundai brand into important segments where it has not played before. And this year’s revamped 2009 Sonata raises its competitiveness to new heights in the large and hugely important midsize family sedan class.

Design Upgrades

You may not notice much difference between ‘09 and ’08 Sonatas on the outside, and that’s by intent. The previous car already looked pretty comfortable in its class: solid and handsome, yet conservative, and the ’09 further refines that look with updated wheels, bumpers and grille and new jeweled projector-lens headlamps. Top-of-the-line Limited models also wear new chrome bodyside and bumper moldings.


But upgrades inside the new Sonata’s commodious cockpit are much more apparent. A new instrument panel and center console borrow design cues and materials from the Veracruz, which Hyundai says, “create the ambiance of an upscale, premium sedan.” Importantly for iPod addicts, both “aux” and USB input jacks are standard, the latter enabling control and operation of iPods and flash drives through the car’s audio system.


Hyundai says the ’09 Sonata’s interior dimensions qualify it as “large” by U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, while only Honda’s Accord among its close competitors enjoys similar status. The Sonata’s 16.3 cu-ft. trunk is also larger than most.

More Power and Economy

But the most important changes are underhood. The ’09 Sonata debuts Hyundai’s “Theta II” 2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve aluminum 4-cylinder engine, which features continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) on intake and exhaust cams and a new Variable Induction System (VIS) for better breathing. With rated power up from 162 to 175 hp, peak torque from 164 to 168 lb.-ft. and EPA economy from 21 to 22 mpg city and 31 to 32 mpg highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, it delivers better power, performance and fuel economy than before. Highway economy with the available 5-speed Shiftronic automatic is also 32 mpg, up from the ’08’s 30 mpg.


The optional “Lambda” 3.3-liter DOHC 24-valve dual-CVVT VIS V-6 is also more powerful and more efficient for 2009. Its peak power increases from 234 to 249 hp, torque from 226 to 229 lb.-ft. and EPA highway fuel economy from 28 to 29 mpg with its standard 5-speed automatic. EPA city economy is unchanged at 19 mpg.

Three Models

The 4-cylinder 2009 GLS base model carries more standard features than most of its rivals, including power windows and door locks, power heated outside mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, tilt-adjustable steering column, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback and AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio. Its standard safety package includes electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) and front, front-seat side and side air curtain airbags.