One of the toughest segments of the automotive business is the mid-size family sedan market, a segment in which most manufacturers have an entry and Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda have been the leaders for a long time.

Hyundai’s entry is the Sonata. For 2009, the Sonata has been given a rather comprehensive freshening of its fourth generation front-wheel-drive sedan that was introduced as a 2006 model.

But don’t think you’ll be able to notice the difference when you see one pass by. That’s because exterior changes are minor, consisting mainly of a new front grille, revised bumpers, headlights, taillights and moldings. If you’re really into the Sonata, you may notice that seven new colors and alloy wheels have been added to the mix.

The serious work was done under the hood and in the passenger cabin, two areas that were in need of upgrading for Hyundai to keep its nose on the tail of the Japanese front-runners. The base 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine gets variable valve timing and a power boost from 162 to 175 horsepower. Torque increases from 164 pound-feet to 168. In addition, the automatic transmission is upgraded to five speeds, from four, and accounts for a one-mile-a-gallon increase in fuel mileage to an EPA-rated 22 city/ 32 highway. A five-speed manual shifter is still available for the do-it-yourself types.

The 3.3-liter V-6 engine is rated at 249 horsepower, up from 234. Torque is up three pound-feet, to 229. The engine of choice for about 30 percent of Sonata buyers, it falls 19 horsepower short of the leaders, but is about equal in fuel efficiency with a rating of 19 mpg city/29 highway. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with this engine.

Upgrades to the independent suspension improve handling in the entry-level GSL and Limited models, but they still don’t move the Sonata into sporty territory. A third model, the SE, gets even more serious suspension tuning, but I did not have an opportunity to sample it.

Inside, where 121.7 cubic feet of space make it the roomiest sedan in its class, the Sonata has been given a complete makeover. Trim and fabric materials have been significantly upgraded, the front bucket seats have been improved for additional support and comfort, the center console has been modernized to make room for a touch-screen navigation system and the instrument panel has been revised. In addition, there is Ipod and USB connectivity.

I spent limited time in a V-6-powered Sonata and a whole week with a four-cylinder model. In both cases, the extra power was much appreciated, and made both cars more enjoyable to drive. In the four-cylinder car, I averaged between 18 and 28 miles per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

Still, despite the suspension and engine improvements, the mainstream Sonatas have a workman-like demeanor that is devoid of any sporting pretensions. Family and friends will enjoy the comfortable and compliant ride, but the pilot will find nothing to encourage spirited driving.

More important to the family-transportation mission, all Sonatas come with a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment that includes electronic stability control, active front head restraints, side-curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with emergency-stop assist and electronic brake force distribution.

Perhaps the Sonata’s biggest attraction is its value quotient, which puts it several thousand dollars below much of the competition. Prices start at $19,395 for a base GLS with manual transmission, cruise control, air conditioning, six-speaker am/fm/cd/MP3 sound system and power windows, locks and heated mirrors.

The top-of-the-line Limited with four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission carries a $25,245 sticker price and adds luxury touches such as leather upholstery, trip computer, upgraded sound system, sunroof and 17-inch wheels. The V-6 Limited has a suggested price of $27,745. A navigation system, available only on the Limited, costs an extra $1,250.

The Hyundai Sonata may not have the sporty attributes of a Honda Accord or a Nissan Altima, but it is a solid sedan at an attractive price. In these days of economic uncertainty and high gas prices, that’s a pretty powerful combination.

by Nick Yost
NY Autos Examiner

This sedan can give the other Asian automakers a run for their money.

It’s actually kind of exciting, or maybe intriguing, to watch Hyundai’s progress through the world of auto sales in the United States.

It’s been here barely 20 Years. It stumbled at first, but it learned its lessons and is now producing a raft of cars that seem able to play strongly in the same sandbox as such Japanese successes as Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

The case in point is the 2009 Sonata, Hyundai’s dead-on competitor to the Camry, Accord and Altima.

So, consider the Sonata. The car comes in three trim levels GLS, SE and Limited and with two different engines, the 2.4-liter four cylinder, 175 horsepower, and 3.5-liter V6 with 249 horses.

Prices range from about $18,000 to a bit more than $27,000. Our tester had the optional $1,250 navigation system (new this year for the Sonata) and had a sticker price of $27,685.

Inside, Hyundai has spruced up the interior with wood accents and all the farkles (that’s a motorcycle term for added goodies) that consumers think are almost standard Bluetooth capability, Homelink garage door opening gizmos, USB/iPod inputs, steering wheel redundant controls, and the like.

All the controls fall readily to hand and the steering wheel is coated with a stitched leather covering Hyundai pays particular attention to interiors, viz. its Veracruz SUV hauler, which strives for (and, to my mind, mostly achieves) a kind of Lexus RX series ambience.

So, yes, the Sonata’s V-6 is smooth, quiet and unobtrusive and the five-speed automatic holds each gear long enough and will hold it even longer if you take advantage of the manumatic shifting, which allows you to choose when to shift. Everything was swimming along quite well, when I encountered a few rough patches of road.

By this I don’t mean Rough Road, just your normal city streets, a block or three that had not seen city work crews for years. When the Sonata’s wheels encountered Pothole No. 1, not to mention Nos. 2 through 5, its suspension jarred noisily.

It sounded, frankly, like an old and worn automobile. It was out of character for the rest of the car.

But it does do well on gas. Even the V-6 gets EPA fuel economy figures of 19 and 29 mpg; the four-banger gets 21 and 32, respectively. And as long as we’re talking numbers, the Sonata’s trunk capacity, at 16.3 cubic feet, is larger than Camry/Accord/Altima, and, yes, there’s a 60/40 split and folding rear seat.

If the new Sonata is any example of what Hyundai can do, the other guys better check their rearview mirrors. Often.

By Michael Taylor
San Francisco Chronicle

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata arrived at the office at an inopportune time. Having just spent a week and a half with the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, a rally-bred screamer of a sedan, my driving synapses felt as if they had been on a bender at Starbucks. My first reaction to driving the Sonata? Well, the phrase “vanilla-coated tedium” popped into my head.

But that’s unfair. An Evo buyer is not a Sonata buyer and vice versa.

The Sonata is built to be safely stylish, reliable, comfortable and inexpensive to own and operate.

For 2009, the Sonata has been transformed into a seriously good mainstream sedan, equal to the best midsize sedans in its class – the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu – thanks to some major upgrades.

You wouldn’t guess it from the outside. The overall shape is similar to last year’s model, with small changes to the headlights, taillights, fog-lights and grille.

This car’s personality has been changed by an instrument panel worthy of an entry-level luxury car. Gone is the 2008 model’s discordant dashboard and uncomfortable seats. In their place is a cabin filled with flowing lines and harmonious design reminiscent of a Lexus.

Controls are easy to reach and understand. Pleasing textures lend the car a high-quality feel, although some controls are a bit light to the touch.

Twist the key and you’ll find the Sonata’s changes are more than skin deep.

In the engine room, Hyundai has pulled a neat trick: increasing horsepower and fuel economy.

Hyundai’s revised 2.4-liter double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine produces 175 horsepower, an increase of 13. Yet the EPA rates the car at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, up 1 mpg in the city and 2 on the highway, with the 5-speed automatic transmission.

EPA ratings are identical for the 5-speed manual. When equipped with the 3.3-liter double-overhead-cam V6, the Sonata produces 249 horsepower, up 15 horses from the previous year, while returning 19 mpg in the city – the same as 2008. However, highway mileage jumps from 28 to 29 mpg.

Driving the uncivilized roads of suburbia, the Sonata’s initial acceleration seems tepid with the four but quickly builds power. Most drivers will find it adequate.

Mileage ranged from a low of 19 mpg around town to 35 mpg on the highway. Overall mileage came in at 25 mpg.

While Evo drivers may sneer at the Sonata, most buyers will find this one comfy ride.

Its demeanor is closer to that of a Toyota Camry or Lexus ES 350 than a Honda Accord. Handling is oriented toward ride comfort, with significant body lean in turns and squirmy tires. But it’s always very controllable. Road noise is reduced to a tomb-like silence. The only sound you’ll hear, aside from occasional suspension patter, is your inner voice whispering, “nice car.”

All Sonata models – including the base GLS, sporty SE and luxury-oriented Limited – come with standard stability control, antilock four-wheel-disc brakes and tire-pressure monitoring.

Seat comfort is dramatically improved. The seats are wider and deeper, with soft cushions that provide good support despite wimpy side bolsters. Cabin space is impressive with roomy accommodations front and rear. And the trunk is surprisingly large.

And the audio system? Although perfectly fine, audiophiles might think otherwise.

Still, there were enough options on this machine that I was perfectly satisfied with its equipment, despite the lack of a GPS navigation system.

By the end of my time with the 2009 Sonata, I greatly appreciated its soft, quiet ways.

Vanilla? Yes.

But vanilla is America’s favorite flavor and pretty tasty. Those who prefer chocolate need not apply.

What we say: Vanilla, but darn tasty

Pro: Comfy, fuel-efficient cruiser

Con: Soggy handling in corners

Stats

Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder

Wheelbase: 107.4 inches

Length: 188.9 inches

Weight: 3,327 pounds

Cargo space: 16.3 cubic feet

Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds

EPA rating (city/highway) : 22/32 mpg

Fuel economy: 25.2 mpg

Fuel type: Regular unleaded

Base price: $23,970

As tested: $24,995

By Larry Printz
The Virginian-Pilot

The fight to achieve parity in the fiercely competitive automotive industry has not been an easy one for Korean manufacturer Hyundai.

But the company has slowly and steadily risen from the ashes of the Hyundai Excel, an inexpensive compact that marked the company’s first entry into the United States back in 1985.

The Excel initially received an enthusiastic reception among Americans, but buyers soured on it and the entire Hyundai brand after it turned out that cheap and cheaply made were pretty much the same thing.

Persistence, a significant improvement in product and an industry-leading warranty eventually turned buyers’ heads back in the company’s direction and today Hyundai automobiles enjoy favorable comparisons with the acknowledged industry leaders in a number of market segments.

One of the toughest is the mid-size family sedan market, a segment in which most manufacturers have an entry and Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda have been the leaders for a long time.

Hyundai’s entry is the Sonata. The fourth generation model of the front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan was introduced as a 2006 model. For 2009, the Sonata has been given a rather comprehensive freshening, although you would never know it just to watch one pass by.

That’s because exterior changes are minor, consisting mainly of a new front grille, revised bumpers, headlights, taillights and moldings. In addition seven new colors and alloy wheels have been added to the mix.

The heavy lifting was done under the hood and in the passenger cabin, two areas that were in need of upgrading for Hyundai to keep its nose on the tail of the Japanese front-runners.

The base 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine gets variable valve timing and a power boost from 162 to 175 horsepower. Torque increases from 164 pound-feet to 168. In addition, the automatic transmission is upgraded to five speeds, from four, and accounts for a one-mile-a-gallon increase in fuel mileage to an EPA-rated 22 city/ 32 highway. A five-speed manual shifter is still available for the do-it-yourself types.

The 3.3-liter V-6 engine is rated at 249 horsepower, up from 234. Torque is up three pound-feet, to 229. The engine of choice for about 30 percent of Sonata buyers, it falls 19 horsepower short of the leaders, but is about equal in fuel efficiency with a rating of 19 mpg city/29 highway. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with this engine.

Upgrades to the independent suspension improve handling in the entry-level GSL and Limited models, but they still don’t move the Sonata into sporty territory. A third model, the SE, gets even more serious suspension tuning, but I did not have an opportunity to sample it.

Inside, where 121.7 cubic feet of space make it the roomiest sedan in its class, the Sonata has been given a complete makeover.

Trim and fabric materials have been significantly upgraded, the front bucket seats have been improved for additional support and comfort, the center console has been modernized to make room for a touch-screen navigation system and the instrument panel has been revised. In addition, there is Ipod and USB connectivity.

I spent limited time in a V-6-powered Sonata and a whole week with a four-cylinder model. In both cases, the extra power was much appreciated, and made both cars more enjoyable to drive. In the four-cylinder car, I averaged between 18 and 28 miles per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

Still, despite the suspension and engine improvements, the mainstream Sonatas have a workman-like demeanor that is devoid of any sporting pretensions.

Family and friends will enjoy the comfortable and compliant ride, but the pilot will find nothing to encourage spirited driving.

More important to the family-transportation mission, all Sonatas come with a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment that includes electronic stability control, active front head restraints, side-curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with emergency-stop assist and electronic brake force distribution.

Perhaps the Sonata’s biggest attraction is its value quotient, which puts it several thousand dollars below of much of the competition. Prices start at $18,700 for a GLS with manual transmission, cruise control, air conditioning, six-speaker am/fm/cd/MP3 sound system and power windows, locks and heated mirrors.

The top-of-the-line Limited with V-6 engine and automatic transmission carries a $26,345 sticker price and adds luxury touches such as leather upholstery, trip computer, upgraded sound system, sunroof and 17-inch wheels.

The navigation system, available only on the Limited, costs an extra $1,250.

The Hyundai Sonata may not have the sporty attributes of a Honda Accord or a Nissan Altima, but it is a solid sedan at an attractive price.

In these days of economic uncertainty and high gas prices, that’s a pretty powerful combination.

Nick Yost SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Model tested: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6

Basics: Four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan

Price: $27,685, including options and destination charges

What’s new: Hyundai made some major changes to its popular Sonata model for 2009. The car arrived at dealers earlier this year.

Changes include improved power and fuel economy for its 3.3-liter V-6 engine, a firmer ride for Limited models, standard iPod auxiliary ports, seven new colors, and increased steering response and feedback for all models.

Interior improvements include refinements to the center console, new heating/air conditioning controls and a new instrument panel with blue illumination.

Exterior changes include new headlights, taillights, foglights, bumpers, grille, body side moldings and alloy wheels.

Pricing starts at $18,795, including destination charges, for the Sonata with a 4-cylinder engine.

Hyundai’s excellent warranty remains a key selling point, with five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Powertrain: For 2009, the Sonata’s V-6 engine added 15 horsepower — for a total of 249 — and 3 ft-lbs. of torque for a total of 229. The engine features all-aluminum construction, four valves per cylinder, dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing.

The engine, linked to a 5-speed automatic with a manual shift mode, provides smooth operation and quick acceleration.

The EPA rates the car’s mileage at 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. In a week of mixed city and highway driving that covered 340 miles and included jaunts through the Oregon Coast Range, the Sonata averaged 26 mpg. Interior: While the Sonata competes against midsized cars such as the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, its interior is so big that it is classified as a large car by the EPA. The interior is roomy in both the front and back seats and in all dimensions. Even headroom is not affected by the standard moonroof. The front seats are quite comfortable, even after a day behind the wheel.

The test car, a top-of-the-line Limited model, had seats covered in soft leather upholstery.

The trunk is also good-sized, at 16.3 cubic feet.

Hyundai designers revamped the cockpit to simplify the controls and to create a more upscale look. They succeeded admirably. The two-tone dashboard and center console are covered in plush materials, and the controls are large, well-marked and easy to operate.

The test car came with the optional ($1,250) GPS navigation system, a new offering for the Sonata. Safety: Hyundai says the Sonata is the only car with pricing that starts under $20,000 that offers a standard stability control system. Other standard safety equipment includes ABS, tire-pressure monitoring and six airbags, including side curtains. Ride and handling: The ride was smooth and comfortable, while steering response has become more precise compared to previous Sonata models. Hyundai said the rear spring rates have been increased by 5 percent, shocks revalved and the rear sway bar thickened. All this combines to provide better control of ride motions. Most liked features: The comfortable, roomy interior with its upscale styling Needs improvement: The car’s exterior styling needs more pizzazz. Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

BOB HILL DRIVETIME EDITOR
The Oregonian

“That’s a nice looking car,” said my friend as she gazed out her window at the silver sedan. “Is it a BMW?”

“Huh, look again,” I replied. “It’s a Hyundai.”

A couple of days later in a parking lot, another friend absent-mindedly started walking toward a silver 7 Series parked across from the Sonata. “Wrong car,” I said. “We came in the silver Hyundai.”

Once upon a time, it seemed inconceivable that any conscious person would mistake a Hyundai for a BMW. That was especially true of the Sonata. The last-generation of Hyundai’s middle child — the Sonata slots above the Accent and Elantra and below the Azera and new Genesis in the Korean automaker’s model line-up — was decidedly homely. But the latest-generation Sonata has contemporary styling that looks not at all out of place beside one of the German wunderwagens.

For 2009, Hyundai’s designers refined the car’s look even further, with new bumpers, headlamps, wheels and grille. And on Limited models such as my test car, they’ve added chrome side and bumper strips to match the chrome grille and door handles.

The designers paid even more attention to the ’09 Sonata’s interior. There’s an entirely new center console and instrument cluster, though the gauges retain Hyundai’s handsome, signature-blue backlighting. The materials in my Limited test car belied the Sonata’s moderate price and included chrome accents, wood trim and leather upholstery. The new Sonata’s interior also has standard auxiliary input jacks (a 3.5 mm mini-jack and a USB input) to accommodate iPods. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the USB port, located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle’s six-speaker audio system, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls.

Hyundai has given the Sonata the unenviable duty of competing mano-a-mano with the two most popular cars in land, Toyota’s Camry and Honda’s Accord. But the Sonata has a roomier interior than the Camry (though it’s a bit less roomy than the Accord) and a larger trunk than either the Camry or Accord. Indeed, the cabin is spacious — even in the rear seat.

The Sonata’s 2.4-liter, 175-horsepower four-cylinder engine is reworked for 2009, delivering more power and quicker acceleration, with better fuel economy to boot. That’s quite a trick. The all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System for better engine breathing. My test car with an automatic transmission carried EPA ratings of 22 mpg in the city and an impressive 32 mpg on the highway, with a 25-mpg combined rating — not bad for a such a roomy car.

Though I wouldn’t call it neck-snapping, acceleration seemed entirely adequate, whether accelerating up a freeway onramp or passing traffic at highway speeds. The five-speed automatic shifted smoothly and had controls that allowed me to upshift or downshift manually.

Hyundai also offers the Sonata with a 3.3-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 249 horsepower, 15 more than last year. Fuel economy figures for the V-6 are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway — not a great deal less than those for the four-banger engine.

Hyundai engineers tweaked the Sonata’s handling and steering for ’09. The big change is a new multi-link system for the rear suspension. Sonatas also now have quicker ratio steering. Still, the Sonata is more cruzin’ sedan than sport sedan, though its handling is on par with other cars in its class, including the Camry and Accord as well the Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion. It’s not an exciting car to drive as there is a fair amount of body lean in the corners and the steering feels rather numb, despite the quicker ratio.

But the latest Sonata is comfy. Not only does the suspension smooth out most of the bumps in the road, the car’s low interior noise levels make for a relaxing drive.

In recent years, Hyundai has made a determined effort to earn high safety ratings with all its cars. It’s certainly paid off with the Sonata; 2008 Sonatas have straight five-star ratings in front and side crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And there’s no reason to think that the ’09 model won’t earn them too when NHTSA completes its tests. All Sonatas come standard with six airbags, anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability control system.

Good as all this stuff is, value is what drives car buyers to Hyundai dealers. And the least expensive Sonata — the GLS with the four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission — is just under $19,000. Hyundai also is offering some hefty rebates. The least expensive Camry is about $1,000 more, while Hyundai undercuts the least expensive Accord by more than $2,000. Air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry and power windows are standard even on the base GLS. My four-cylinder Limited model test car, with all the trimmings, came in close to 25 grand.

No, the Sonata isn’t a BMW. But then, it costs about half the price.

2009 HYUNDAI SONATA

BASE PRICE: $18,795

BASE ENGINE: 2.4-liter, 175-horsepower inline-4

LAYOUT: Front engine/front-wheel drive

BODY/SEATS: Four-door sedan/five

CURB WEIGHT: 3,292 pounds

OVERALL LENGTH: 188.9 inches

FUEL ECONOMY: 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway

By PETER BOHR
The Press-Enterprise

Hyundai got high marks from many auto reviewers for the last generation of its Sonata sedan, but it fell short on the car tech front. But now the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is here, and it looks good for catching up with and surpassing its nearest competitors. We weren’t surprised to find a navigation system in a Toyota Corolla we reviewed recently, but when we saw the LCD in the Sonata’s dashboard, we only kept our feet because we had a little advance warning. It was the iPod integration and the voice command system that really floored us. We had the top-of-the line Limited V6 model, which comes with an engine offering more than adequate power for the little sedan. We were only troubled by the transmission’s gear hunting, the soft ride, and the overly powered steering.

Test the tech: Talking to a car
Voice command systems can be troublesome. Many times while testing cars we’ve found ourselves yelling at the dashboard, repeating the same phrase over and over again, only to have the car reply “Sorry?” or “Audio off” when we were trying to cancel route guidance, as one example. And thinking it was audacious of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, as a newcomer to modern car tech, to offer a voice command system, we put it to the test.

While driving down the freeway, we started with a few free-form commands, not bothering to read the manual. After hitting the voice button on the left side of the steering wheel, we waited for the prompt, then said, “Destination.” The navigation system brought up the destination entry screen right away–a good start. We wanted to go back to the map, so tried saying, “Exit.” Hearing that, it switched from the CD player to AM radio. All right, time to get serious.

We pulled off the freeway, parked, and said “Help.” The car brought up some top-level help commands on the screen, informing us that we could get specific help on any function. After reading the available commands, we set off again, and tried something complex. We said, “FM frequency 102 point 1,” and the car responded by switching to FM 102.1, the local classical station.

OK, we had the hang of this. Thinking we might want to stop for a water, we tried another somewhat complex command. First we said, “Destination,” then, “Find nearest convenience store.” The screen immediately brought up a list of 7-Elevens and other convenience stores, sorted by their distance from our current location. Nice, but there were no indicator arrows telling us the direction to each one. With a few taps of the touch screen, we could find the locations of any entry on the map, but that was fairly tedious, especially when most of the nearest ones were behind us and we weren’t in the mood to backtrack.

We continued on, and in thinking about our experience with the system so far, we realized that we might be able to utter our commands out of context. For example, with many systems we’ve found that you have to drill down, as in first saying “Navigation” then saying navigation-specific commands. So with the Sonata, we brought up the iPod screen, then said, “Find nearest Mexican restaurant.” The system switched from our music screen to a list of nearby Mexican restaurants.

We were pleased with the Sonata’s voice command system. In general, the voice commands are intuitive. It doesn’t take much time with the onscreen help to figure out some useful commands. It also recognized our spoken commands with good accuracy, working just as well as the system we’ve used extensively in the Honda Civic.

In the cabin
We mentioned above that we were surprised to find so many tech features in the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. Part of the reason for all these tech features was apparent in the cabin where Infinity logos abound. The subwoofer grille on the rear deck proclaimed Infinity, as did the faceplate for the navigation and audio system. We could see that Hyundai had been hanging out in the right company.

The instrument panel in the Sonata is very uncluttered, with a high-resolution LCD and plenty of nicely inset buttons. Hyundai seems to be taking a stance against knobs, for the most part, as even the temperature controls are rocker switches. In fact, there is so much leftover space from this clean design that Hyundai places two small storage areas in the center stack, below the navigation unit.

The optional navigation system, a good deal at $1,250, uses bright, clear maps with good resolution, avoiding jaggy street names. It renders its maps quickly enough, although we sometimes found its route recalculation slow. On one trip, when we forced it to recalculate multiple times, it finally seemed to give up. Of course, our final destination was already visible on the map, so the navigation system must have been telling us we could find our own way from there. But other than that critique, the route guidance is good, with clear graphics for upcoming turns and text-to-speech, its one advanced feature, where it reads out street names.

We found destination entry easy and intuitive, whether inputting an address or searching for a point of interest. The system also allows for complex routes, letting you input multiple waypoints. There is a screen listing all waypoints on the route that lets you add or delete addresses.

With the navigation system branded as an Infinity, it’s no surprise that the audio system comes from Infinity, too. That both systems come from the same OEM means good integration between them. A USB and an auxiliary audio port in the console are part of this system and are standard with the Sonata Limited. You can plug a USB flash drive directly into the USB port and play MP3s from that, and you can plug an MP3 player into the auxiliary input. But there is a third option. Hyundai includes a cable that plugs into both the USB port and the auxiliary port at the same time, and terminates in an iPod connector.

We frankly didn’t expect to find iPod integration when we put the Sonata on our schedule. The interface for it, through the touch-screen LCD, is everything we would want, letting us choose music by album, artist, and genre. The interface for USB drives is more primitive, merely letting you browse through folders, similar to the interface for MP3 CDs. With the navigation system, there is a single-CD slot. A six-CD changer is available if you don’t get the navigation system. We’ve found that in cars with iPod integration, the iPod becomes our go-to source for music, and we don’t bother much with CDs. XM Satellite Radio is also built into this system with, we expect, the first three months free.

The audio system in the Sonata uses six speakers in the standard configuration of tweeters in the A pillars and woofers in each door, along with a subwoofer in the rear deck. Our experience with this system largely depended on the music we were listening to. With acoustic guitar, we could hear the scratch of the strings, pointing to good clarity at the high end. But tracks with serious bass quickly overwhelmed the speakers, leading to bad rattle. It sounds like the amp used with this system is clear and powerful, but the speakers aren’t always up to its output.

We were disappointed that the Sonata doesn’t have Bluetooth cell phone integration as an option, especially as a hands-free law is about to come into effect in California. Looks like we will have to wait until 2010, when both Kia and Hyundai models will be getting a Microsoft system similar to the Ford Sync.

Under the hood
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trims: GLS, SE, and Limited. A 3.3-liter V-6 is available in all trims, while a 2.4-liter four cylinder is available in the GLS and Limited trims. We had the 3.3-liter V-6 in our Limited trim model, which puts out 249 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque–plenty of power for the little Sonata. The engine hummed right along, moving the car easily up hills, at freeway speeds, and passing other cars. To enhance efficiency, the engine uses continuous variable valve timing.

The 3.3 liters seems an odd choice for displacement, and Hyundai could probably have shaved it down to 3 liters without hurting the driving experience while increasing mileage. As it is, this engine gets an EPA-rated 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. During our time with the car, we saw the mileage creep up close to 23 mpg during freeway driving, but our final average was down at 19.4 mpg. An emissions rating wasn’t available at the time of this review, but we are impressed that the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine available in the Sonata is a PZEV, meaning it produces very few smog-causing pollutants.

The five-speed automatic transmission proved to be the weak link in this power train. It doesn’t react particularly fast, even in manual mode, and it takes a while to find the right gear when stressed with hill climbs or passing. Our passing experience inspired very little confidence. When we stomped the accelerator to get around slower cars on a hill, the transmission did its hunting, and settled on a gear, which made the engine give off a bad grinding sound.

The suspension in the Sonata is also very soft. You can feel the shock absorbers compress easily, and on one bad section of road, we felt the suspension bottom out on itself. This type of suspension is fine on a commute car, but allows for plenty of lean in corners and generally doesn’t behave well in more stressful situations.

Likewise, the steering felt overpowered. It was too easy to swing the wheel around, whether maneuvering through a parking lot or barreling down the freeway. We didn’t get a lot of road feel through the steering wheel because of the power mechanism, although it was tight enough to produce results when turned. Again, this tuning is fine in a commute car, but can be troublesome in situations where you want some feedback.

The Sonata comes standard with traction and electronic stability control, along with a tire-pressure monitoring system, plus airbags all the way around.

In sum
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 goes for a base price of $25,670. The navigation package is a surprisingly good deal at $1,250. Along with $90 carpeted floor mats and a $675 destination charge, our Sonata came in at $27,685. The Limited is the only trim with the navigation option, although you can save some dollars by going to the four-cylinder version, which bases at $23,970.

We were suitably impressed with the Sonata Limited, as it offered cabin tech we weren’t expecting. The navigation system offers one advanced feature, text-to-speech, and generally looks and works well. We noted some problems with the audio system, but we also liked the iPod integration. Lack of Bluetooth is a problem. The drivetrain tech was less impressive. The engine was fine, although it could have been more economical, but we just didn’t like the transmission. Among the Sonata’s major competitors, the Honda Accord is too pricey by comparison. We’ve also tested the Nissan Altima Coupe, a tech-filled and more sporty alternative, and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which offers better fuel economy.

Source: Cnet.com

Sedan closing gap on highly sought Camry, Accord.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are like the Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger, or the Jay Leno and David Letterman, of the sedan world.

Everyone else wants to make a car just like them.

Why?

Toyota and Honda are selling about 95,000 Camrys and Accords combined monthly – in May, that was a new Camry or Accord sale every 28 seconds.

Hyundai is the latest wannabe, with the release of its first credible challenge to the sales leaders. If nothing else, the 2009 Sonata has the Camry beat on styling and maybe the Accord, too, to some eyes.

With the upgrades to the new model, including styling tweaks for a classier look, the Sonata is close to the leaders in comfort, workmanship and utility, but less so in drivability. No one will mistake the Sonata for a sports sedan, though it’s a competent all-around performer.

The Sonata, made at Hyundai’s new Alabama plant, is the least expensive of the three.

My loaded Sonata Limited (V-6, automatic, navigation, stability control, leather, sunroof, premium audio, etc.) had a sticker price of $27,685. A comparable Camry would list around $32,000 and Accord just under $31,000. The Toyota and Honda have earned those prices with long reputations for durability and low depreciation.

The Sonata’s engines (3.3-liter V-6 and 2.4-liter four) are thoroughly modern, with twin overhead cams and variable valve timing. Both were pumped up slightly for 2009, with the V-6 producing 249 horsepower.

It feels responsive and capable, even at lower engine speeds, but without the ample reserve power of the Honda and Toyota 3.5 V-6s.

The Hyundai V-6 is certainly smooth and unobtrusive, with a seamless 5-speed automatic. Mileage ratings are 19 and 29, and I found that only the most conservative driving approaches those numbers.

Like the Japanese competition, the Sonata has fully independent suspension, with the ride tuned for comfort, and stable, fairly sharp handling at typical speeds. Push the Hyundai, and the front wheels begin to squeal with protest, the typical response from a front-wheel drive car.

Design and materials in the cabin were impressive, which has been the case even in lesser Sonatas I’ve been in.

Noise isolation in that pretty cabin was excellent, but the seats were just moderately supportive. Three average adults can use the Sonata’s back seat comfortably with the middle passenger’s feet straddling the center tunnel.

The Sonata’s trunk is humongous, and my Limited model’s rear seatbacks folded down to reveal a large pass through – a nice feature indeed for those downsizing from an SUV.

I was pleased with the simple operation of the touch-screen navigation system and the integration of XM satellite radio and iPod. Sonatas at all price levels, by the way, accept iPod connections, a small but important competitive advantage to many.

In this otherwise smart, practical car, common sense was breached in the instrumentation. The blue odometer and trip computer readout were almost unreadable, and the speedometer needs numbers instead of marks on the dial for common speeds. Buzz from the rear speakers on deep bass notes was a disappointment.

In his 27 years of writing a column for the Austin American-Statesman, Pete Szilagyi has driven more than 1,400 new cars and trucks.

According to Pete …

Target audience: Bottom-line conscious families with a need for space.

Highs: Smooth, efficient drivetrain; comfort; quality of materials; roominess; huge trunk.

Lows: Buzzy speakers.

Bottom line: A lovely machine in search of a personality.

EPA rating for greenhouse gas emissions (10 is best): 6.

By Pete Szilagyi
SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Hyundai introduced their new-for-2009 Sonata stable recently at the Chicago Auto Show. This latest iteration Sonata offers an all-new interior, improved suspension systems, along with revised power trains that provide not only better fuel economy, but more horsepower as well.

The Sonata, as Hyundai’s sales leader, raises its bar for content value and safety technology. Sonata will be offered in three levels of trim: the well-equipped GLS base model; a more upscale SE model; and the top-of-the-line Limited model. There are two available engine choices across the entire model range. First is Hyundai’s second-generation Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque. The Sonata I4 now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing and is more fuel-efficient than both the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord four-cylinder engines, delivering 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway fuel economy rating with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic. A version of this engine also meets Partial Zero Emission Vehicle standards.

Next is Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine that has also been improved, now pumping out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 229 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm). A variable intake system was added for 2009, further broadening the power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway, representing unsurpassed V6 fuel economy in the mid-size sedan segment.

There are also two transmission choices for the Sonata. A five-speed manual gearbox is used in four-cylinder-powered models, while all V6-powered Sonatas utilize Hyundai’s five-speed Shifttronic automatic transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. The automatic transmission has a new reducing valve and solenoid valve for smoother shift quality while the manual transmission has been refined for more precise shifts. GLS and Limited models now provide a firmer ride quality and improved handling through increased steering response, while SE models have received sport suspension tuning.

In addition to mechanical improvements, the Sonata’s exterior has been freshened too, featuring upgrades to headlamps, taillights and fog lights; available chrome inserts for bumper fascias and bodyside moldings; new alloy wheel designs; and seven new colors. The interior has benefited from refinements to the center console, audio system, HVAC controls and the instrument has a soft blue illumination added. An optional new navigation system with a high-resolution, touch-screen display is available while USB/iPod auxiliary input jacks are standard fare. More contrast was added to the Camel and Gray interiors, and a Cocoa Brown treatment is now available.

The new Sonata continues to be rated by the EPA as a large car, and indeed it provides lots of interior room in the front and back seats. The trunk alone boasts 16.3 cubic feet of space. In terms of its appearance, the new Sonata comes across as being a much more expensive car than it really is. It displays a contemporary design form with clean, but expressive lines.

In the safety arena, Sonata’s front collision performance was improved by tweaking the engine’s subframe design. All Sonata models come with lifesaving ESC as standard equipment. Sonata also features a state-of-the-art braking technology package that includes four-wheel disc brakes and an antilock braking system with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.

There are six air bags – including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact and front- and rear-side curtain air bags – along with active front-seat head restraints. Additional passive safety features include: shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility; three-point seatbelts for all seating positions; front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters; and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats.

My test 2009 Hyundai Sonata came in Limited trim and was powered by the 3.3-liter V6 mated to the Five-speed Shiftronic gearbox transferring motive force to the front wheels. The exterior was finished in black, while the interior was executed in contrasting gray and charcoal with faux polished wood trim accents. The base price was set at $25,670. While the final sticker total came to $27,685 after adding the navigation system with high-resolution touch screen display and voice Recognition, carpeted floor mats and the destination charge.

Summary:

The Hyundai Sonata Limited for 2009 represents a very solid entry into the large four-door sedan class. While not really considered to be in the luxury class, it does provide several standard features and equipment that are normally only found on luxury-level vehicles.

The performance is quite substantial in both the acceleration and handling attribute categories. The ride quality ranked somewhere between soft and firm. In some driving scenarios, it seemed on the loose side, while in others it was perceived to be somewhat stiff.

Both front and rear seats were quite comfortable with plenty of leg room fore and aft, in a cabin that exhibited clean lines and easy-to-use controls that were conveniently positioned. The air conditioner gets an “A+” for rapid and efficient cooling, even in 100-degree-plus temperatures.

The top-of-the-line Hyundai Sonata model was very reasonably priced, especially considering its content level. It is possible to experience even greater value in the base GLS model which starts at $18,120. Add to that the Hyundai Advantage, which Hyundai boasts is America’s best warranty, and you’ve got an even more sound deal. The Hyundai Advantage warranty includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited power train warranty, five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage.

Sonata buyers also receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.

2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Base price: $25,670

Price as tested: $27,685

Engine/transmission: 3.3-liter, 249-horsepower V6; five-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 107.4 inches

Length overall: 188.9 inches

Width: 72.1 inches

Height: 58 inches

Curb weight: 3,494 pounds

Fuel capacity: 17.7 gallons

EPA mileage estimates: 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway

By: Arv Voss