2008 Hyundai Sonata 2.0L 5MT (164 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Hyundai refreshed the Sonata in 2008 and unveiled it at the Chicago Auto Show as a 2009 model year, trying to keep its sales up and securing the brand’s fourth position in import sales in the U.S.

While the EPA considered the Sonata to be a large sedan, the car’s exterior sizes placed it into the mid-size segment, competing with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord. Its sharp lines were still up to date, but there were some areas where the automaker thought it might be a good idea to improve. As a result, the refreshed fifth generation of the Sonata, also known as the NF, went through an update that brought the vehicle a slightly better look, an upgraded interior, and some improvements under the hood. Besides the gasoline engines, the car was sold outside the U.S. with a turbodiesel powerplant, which helped the car get better sales in Australia, the UK, and Europe.

At the front, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata came with a slightly upgraded look. The most obvious change was for the grille that sported multiple slats, depending on the grade, instead of one as the non-facelifted version. Furthermore, the lower bumper was reshaped, featuring a wider center air intake flanked by a pair of scoops that sported larger fog lamps. The headlights were also slightly restyled, although some would need a keen eye for detail to notice those changes.

From its profile, the mid-size sedan boasted new options for the wheels, but the car’s overall shape didn’t change. Still, the automaker didn’t consider installing turn signals in the door mirror caps. However, it kept them body-colored, and the same went for the door handles. The automaker also introduced new taillights that had the same shape and size as the previous ones, but they featured LEDs instead of regular light bulbs. That change made the vehicle more visible on the road.

Inside, the most significant change was for the center stack. Hyundai tried to keep up with technology and installed standard iPod connectivity across the range. The cable for that device was inside the center armrest between the front seats. In addition, the automaker added a USB port for other types of MP3 players or memory sticks. A sat-nav unit was available at extra cost for selected markets. Depending on the grade, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata came with cloth or leather upholstery, wood trims on the dashboard, and door cards. In the back, the 60/40 split-folding bench seat came in handy when carrying longer items that couldn’t fit in the already generous trunk.

Under the hood, the automaker introduced the second generation of its 2.4-liter Theta engines with variable valve timing. As a result, it produced more ponies than before and improved fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the 3.3-liter V6 powerplant was also improved for better performance and was paired as standard with a five-speed automatic transmission. The automaker also improved the turbodiesel version, which was available with a four-speed automatic gearbox in addition to the six-speed manual already offered on the non-facelifted model.