Philpott Hyundai

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Introduction

2009 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata gets a host of revisions for the 2009 model year. Already on our list of best commuter cars and many high-value lists, the revisions should solidify its standing. Although you can't see many of them, more than a thousand parts have been changed for the 2009 model year.

The Hyundai Sonata is a four-door, five-passenger sedan priced at the low end of the mid-size market, where it competes primarily against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, and Ford Fusion. Despite moderate prices, every Sonata comes with a full slate of safety equipment and none is optional; it has earned the federal government's five-star crash-test rating for front and side impacts, the highest awarded.

Sonata is big inside, with so much interior volume it the EPA classifies it as a large car. It's roomier in almost every dimension than most of its mid-size competitors, many of which are larger outside, and it offers a full-size edge in creature comfort.

For 2009, the Sonata is perhaps one percent heavier and prices have gone up, some by $1500. However, the new models come with more standard equipment such as the sunroof on the Limited model, so the relative value remains high.

Instead of spending a lot outside Hyundai kept all the sheetmetal and merely updated lights and trim.

On the inside, however, they've improved the seats for 2009 and added an entirely new dashboard/console layout and introduced a voice-operated navigation option.

Under the hood each engine remains the same size but makes more power on less fuel, and the four-cylinder has been upgraded from an optional four-speed automatic to a five-speed automatic. Last but not least, the suspension has been retuned to deliver the same good ride with better precision and driver involvement.

The most-expensive Sonata will set you back less than $28,000 with navigation, but you can get a comfortable, efficient commuter like our test car for about $21,000. You'll be hard-pressed to find more room with that economy for anything near the price, and it won't have Hyundai's warranty package.

Model Lineup

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim levels. A 175-horsepower four-cylinder engine comes standard (168 hp in PZEV states at no extra cost), a 249-hp V6 is optional. The four-cylinder is available with a five-speed manual or a five-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission ($1200); the latter is standard on V6s.

Sonata GLS ($18,120) is the base model. It comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, power heated outside mirrors, power windows, central locking with keyless remote, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, XM Satellite Radio, tilt steering wheel, 60/40 folding rear seat, and 215/60R16 tires on 16-inch steel wheels. The four-cylinder automatic ($19,320) is similarly equipped, while the V6 automatic ($21,570) adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, solar control glass and chrome dual exhaust tips. The Popular Equipment Package ($650) adds automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, upgraded interior accents, power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer. The same package is available with a power tilt-and-slide sunroof ($1,550).

Sonata SE ($21,720) and SE V6 ($23,170) come with leather-bolster/cloth-center seats, five-speed automatic, larger disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 215/55VR17 all season performance tires, firmer suspension, eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, leather-wrapped shift knob, tilt-and-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, solar control glass, fog lights, automatic headlights, chrome window moldings, rear spoiler, and a trip computer. The Premium Package ($1,650) for SE adds an upgraded AM/FM/XM/6CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier; power tilt-and-slide sunroof; and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink and a compass.

The Limited ($23,970) adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, automatic climate control with filtration, the top-line audio system, electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink and compass, door sill trim and a sunroof. A chrome grille, chrome-accented exterior door handles, and bodyside moldings identify Limited from the outside. Wheels and tires are the same size as those on the SE, but use a different tread pattern. The Limited V6 ($25,670) is similarly equipped. A new voice-activated navigation system is available ($1250).

Safety features on all Sonatas include dual-stage front-seat airbags; front-seat side-impact airbags for torso protection; and full-coverage side curtain airbags designed to provide head protection. Antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control also come standard, as does a tire-pressure monitor.

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