Quick: name a Hyundai sports sedan. Can’t do it, can you? If there’s ever been one, I’m not aware of it. No, the late unlamented Hyundai Elantra GT doesn’t count. Even with a red “GT” on the rump, the suspension tuning decidedly prioritized ride quality over handling. Perhaps “GT” means “standard leather” in Korean? But let’s not count Hyundai out just yet; there’s no Sonata GT in the lineup at the moment. Meanwhile, for 2009, the Korean manufacturer has quietly dipped a toe into the sport sedan pool by adding a “sport suspension” to the Sonata SE. This site has deemed the Sonata—in GLS form—“a great car for people who don’t care all that much about cars.” Do firmer springs and dampers transform the midsize sedan into “a great car for people who do care about cars?”
On the outside, five-spoke alloys distinguish the SE from other Sonatas. A safe but good choice—you can never go wrong with a classic five-spoke wheel. On the other hand, the new “more aggressive” grille looks no more appropriate on this “sportier” Sonata than it does on the others. Advice to auto makers: you can’t transform a clean and tasteful but thoroughly forgettable design simply by stamping a larger hole in the nose. Though often tried, this never works. Instead, we get a car that’s clearly a pretender.
Inside, last year’s Mercedes-inspired instrument panel has been discarded in favor of one inspired by the Lexus RX. Ribbons of faux aluminum frame the ergonomically-correct center stack as it arcs smoothly into the center console. The overall effect is much more upscale and stylish, and almost sporty. Materials remain much the same as before. With a starting price below twenty, you aren’t going to get trim worthy of a Lexus. For the price, though, the materials are generally competitive.
The Sonata remains roomy enough to squeak into the EPA’s “large car” classification. Though not quite as beamy inside as the supersized Honda Accord, headroom and legroom are abundant. Large windows and relatively thin pillars provide good visibility in all directions. (No doubt they’ll “fix” this with the next complete redesign.) Comfort is decent, though the front buckets would have a more premium feel if blessed with additional padding.
Enthusiasts get one concession in the revised SE interior: the seats’ bolsters aren’t any larger, but their center panels are cloth to prevent posterior dislocation in aggressive turns. Shame they didn’t do something similar for the steering wheel. Instead, one of the automotive world’s greatest unsolved mysteries lives on: why is the leather on Hyundai steering wheels so slippery? Note to Hyundai: the point of wrapping a steering wheel with leather is to enhance grip.
As the recent GLS review noted, the four cylinder performs just adequately. If you want anything in the way of thrills, you want the 3.3-liter V6, now good for 249 horsepower. This mill is very smooth, makes refined noises, and pulls strongly. The engines in Japanese competitors are a bit stronger still but, let’s face it, 249 horsepower is beyond sufficient for a midsize family sedan.
More of an issue: the manually-shiftable five-speed automatic remains down a ratio compared to most competitors. Back in ’03 you could (at least theoretically) pair a five-speed manual with an underachieving 2.7-liter V6 in the Sonata. But the 3.3 has been auto-only, and Hyundai isn’t yet serious enough about the enthusiast market to offer a powertrain combination no dealer would be willing to stock.
And now, the main event: the Sonata SE’s “sport suspension.” Is it firmer than the suspension in other Sonatas? Absolutely. The SE leans considerably less in hard turns and never wallows. When pushed, the powertrain-laden nose still drifts wide, but not as early or as often. Yet, while appreciably firmer, the SE suspension is still not firm, and steering feel remains notable in its absence.
You’ll find much more aggressive suspension tuning (if not much more steering feel) in a Toyota Camry SE, and even the one-size-fits-all suspension in the Honda Accord feels more taut. On the other hand, the Sonata SE rides more smoothly than those cars. Compared to other Sonatas, the SE isn’t as pillowy smooth over the little stuff, but manages more serious bumps and divots with more composure. What Hyundai has achieved here: a very good ride-handling balance.
Excited yet? Didn’t think so. Balance and composure might make for a good marriage, but they don’t make for a fun date. There’s no edge here that might lend the Sonata some much-needed personality. The SE’s new suspension would make for a better regular Sonata. They should put it there, then develop another suspension truly suited for enthusiasts. Do that and also toss some steering feel into the package and they might deserve to call the resulting car the Sonata GT.
The Sonata remains an excellent value in the family sedan market, and has only gotten better after they installed the new interior.
I had a rental Sonata with the V6 a few years ago as a free upgrade from a Sebring (thank you Avis), and I thought it was a great car for the intended audience. The V6 was indeed strong and smooth. The ride was supple, and the handling secure, but the manually adjusted driver’s seat had no thigh support… I had to place a folded towel down by my knees.
I owned a 2004 Accord V6 at the time and the only part that let the Sonata down compared to the Accord was the interior. The old design was ugly, with poorly placed vents, and bulbous buttons and knobs. The new interior, with a power driver’s chair, is excellent.
I may even be able to convince a friend who will only buy Hondas to look into it… especially with that great warranty as a confidence builder.
Seems I get the honor of the first non-paid review!
Thanks to TrueDelta’s advanced survey process, we already have a reliability stat for the 2009 Sonata. So far, better than average. Older Sonatas have been average, but not far from “better than average.”
Additional participants in the survey always helpful, and will continue to receive full access for free.
The reliability stats page for the Sonata, which includes results for competitors:
http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Hyundai&mc=121&email=Guest
I used to own a 1986 Hyundai Stellar – 5spd and rear wheel drive – Ford Cortina suspension – close as they got to a sports sedan.
Alas, visibility and interior room will probably take a hit on the next generation cars, if these (albeit very attractive) renderings are even close to right.
http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2008/12/15/next-generation-hyundai-sonata-yf-renderings/
I have read that Hyundai fully intend to upgrade the power in the SE cars vs GLS and Limited cars. Which I suspect means a turbo 4 and a larger V6 for SE, normal 4 and current V6 for GLS and Limited, but we’ll see in about 6 months to a year…
BTW these photos in the reviewe are Limited cars (wheels and interior are, as noted in the review, different for the SE)
Luckily, I purchased a 2007 SE model. I do not like where the went with it in future iterations. It became even more plain. The taillights are step back and the headlamps are too large. Bleh. They also got rid of the black “diffuser” out on the back bumper. I thought that was sharp. Oh well.
The only things I’m really envious of is the increased HP and updated suspension.
No SE picture…
and still it gets 4 stars?
what gives?
But the 3.3 has been auto-only, and Hyundai isn’t yet serious enough about the enthusiast market to offer a powertrain combination no dealer would be willing to stock.
Pity about this. Not even Mazda is selling V6/Stick any more and Honda only offers it in the coupe. Nissan lets you get it, and with no one else doing so, you might actually find an example.
Now, that said, all of the V6 front-drive sedans are pretty nose-heavy anyway, and only Honda’s is pleasant to rev. Were I opting for a manual, I think I’d get the four-cylinder just to get some mass off the nose.
I think the interior is nicer than the malibu, and the exterior styling, while taking cues from the Accord, is not bad.
In the end it is a sedan, not a race car. Buyers should decide which they prefer, rather than trying to have it both ways. You get more refinement in purpose built vehicles anyway.
I’d say for the money you can’t go wrong here. And they are not asking for your tax dollars either.
Large windows and relatively thin pillars provide good visibility in all directions.
Hooray! I appreciate not having to mumble a prayer to St. Christopher after every blind-spot check. Changing lanes should not require a leap of faith.
(No doubt they’ll “fix” this with the next complete redesign.)
Sigh.
Give Genesis some time to build Hyundai’s snob appeal, we might see a harder-core “sport” Sonata appearing a couple of years into the next generation.
All it would really take is sharper steering and suspension, choice of 2.0T standard or 3.8 6AT models, a little GT bling, and you’re there.
This site has deemed the Sonata—in GLS form—“a great car for people who don’t care all that much about cars.”
I realize you might be deferring to the site users for tactical reasons, but you’re still perpetuating a narrow attitude.
Just because some folks have a different criteria for cars doesn’t mean they don’t care about cars. Judging all things by sportiness, perceived or actual, is a narrow view fostered by the car mags for years and, frequently, this site as well. (This is how sportiness carried the day in the TTAC review series of a bunch of candy-ass 4-cylinder Japanese automatic sedans … it’s simply a strange deciding factor giving the type of vehicle and the largest audience for that vehicle.)
But I digress. This car is a great value, given the standard features and massive incentives Hyundai throws at the lower models. That said, I don’t know why anyone would opt for the sport package in this thing. The Sonata is a comfortable, cheap, and reliable car. The sports package infringes on two of those factors.
As an aside, I think it’s uglier now than in 2008. The headlights and taillights seem out of place on what was a very understated and flowing design.
And that next-gen mock up looks like it’s RWD, which it won’t be. Color me skeptical.
Thanks for the review on the SE, I was wondering how it would compare to the GLS that my Mother-In-Law owns. I do wish they offered the 4-cylinder SE with a manual… But I’d be more likely to buy a Genesis Coupe 2.0 anyway for a similar price, so it is probably for the best…
Let me guess, is there an Elantra Touring review scheduled for Friday to complete Hyunday week?!?
I test drove an ’09 Limited V6 when they first came out. The interior looks and feels just as upscale in person as in the picture shown here, and the drive is very smooth and luxurious. In fact, I tested the Sonata back-to-back with the bigger and Buickier Hyundai Azera, and the Sonata was actually noticeably better in filtering out the small stuff. With the recently uglification of both Accord and Camry, I knew they had a winner.
The only downer to the SE is the interior. You don’t get that handsome tan leather and well-executed fake wood. Instead you get seats with nondescript cloth inserts, and as Michael mentioned, aluminum-look gray strips in place of the fake wood. It’s sort of a grim elephant-gray monochrome purgatory chamber in there. As Michael said, better they just let you specify the suspension.
I actually the think the styling is a nice and elegant upgrade from the previous model. Kudos to Hyundai for also upgrading the interior with nice a nice finish.
The Sonata, as are most Hyundai vehicles, is for people who don’t care much about buying into a name brand. The SE is for those people within that set who value a moderately sporty version of the Sonata and think the warranty that comes with it is a great value.
I’ve never had the pleasure of riding in/driving a Sonata, but I’ve heard good things.
On the other hand, on my way home from work today, I got stuck behind a guy in an Elantra GT who I am pretty sure was drunk, as he slowed to a crawl 100 yards before each turn he took, and was doing 30 in a 50. Screw you, Elantra GT-driver.
I have to say..
Sonata’s dont lead exciting lives.. they just grow up to emulate Accords and Camrys, which in the midsized arena is the equal of the 5 series Bmw, and its stable competitor the C Class.
Accords and Camrys arent the most exciting, but at least they have / had sporting notions.
Somehow and this is just me I dont see anything sporting in a car that bills itself as a better and cheaper CamCord.
Firmer springs and dampers…
I doubt people will notice.
As for great values…
Not everything at Walmart is a good thing — thats my take on it. Cheap stuff is just it, cheap stuff. Ya want the good shit, ya have to pay.
What is the projected resale of this car? Is it as lousy as previous Hyundais? The real challenge will be to get higher income earners to consider Hyundai. Right now, they are a cut below both the domestics and the Japanese. At least in perception.
@Accords
I may have read wrong, but the C class is not comparable to the 5 series. That would be the E class. Also… did you just say that the Camry has ‘sporting notions’?
No.
Just no.
Agreed – the Camry does not have sporting notions.
GS650 – even in a sedan you like to have some sense of enjoyment while driving… And you want solid, predictable handling if stuff hits the fan. I was fairly disappointed with urgent cornering in the last Accord EX I drove – that car is just too big for it’s suspension and tires.
Now hold on, what is this “late, unlamented Elantra GT” business? The Elantra GT was a brilliant car: honest, eager, companionable. I certainly lament the GT.
@Bridge2far
“What is the projected resale of this car? Is it as lousy as previous Hyundais?”
The Sonata? Crap, basically. Take a walk down to your local Hertz airport location and see what I mean. You’ll be competing with rental fleets dumping their unwanted wares.
I thought the last Sonata was a decent package for the money. This one might be too, but I think this “refresh” is not so good.
The exterior is just ugly. The front end looks like a ’90s era Pontiac. (Just imagine a double-kidney grille in there with an arrowhead on it.) The rear end looks like a previous Sonata that was put in a microwave, and now the decklid won’t close.
The interior is not bad, but it looks like it was “influenced” by the Saturn Aura. There’s nothing new here, but it least the Sonata isn’t ugly on the inside, too.
Not Hyundai’s best effort, IMO. I liked the old Sonata much better.
This is great news.
Edmond Dantes:
Thank you for the correction…
I dont know what the heck I was thinking / smoking putting the C-class in the E-Class position against a 5-series.
As for as sporting intensions…
Camry isnt sporting in any intention.
And the last gen Accord could be goosed up with better tires, nicer and a more free flowing exhaust.
But the current one.. is such a fat ass. It gained so much over the 6th gen car, inaddition to a huge dash that the button-monster threw up on. Inaddition to the car still being teamed with an undersized 4cycl only pushing 177hp, when the weight is at least 3600lb. Totally inadequate. Not to mention.. trying to play with that.. is like playing with a Crown Vic and a jelly donut, roll baby ROLL!
And as for as the Sonata.. It has the interior of a RX imitation, tilted towards the luxury side of the midsized spectrum.. and ya put firmer springs and dampers on a car with luxury intentions..
The two dont and shouldnt ever meet.
I dont even think buyers of this… would have any clue as to what that means. All they are concerned about is that its got everything an ES has for cheaper. So its a value for people.. sporting intentions, should at least mean something, besides a TRIM level.
Least a sporting car should have is sizeable front and rear sway bars, inaddition to a nice dual exhaust and maybe even a throaty growl..
But firmer springs and dampers for the luxo set..
Umm no.
Sorry I have nothing useful to add here, other than this little error:
The overall affect is much more upscale and stylish, and almost sporty.
Jordan:
Doh! Sorted.
In my work, I speak to “car guys” pretty much all day long, and they are an extremely varied bunch; hot-rodders, ricers, older guys with Packards, guys with Triumph TR4’s, you name it.
Interestingly enough, it helps that I can identify with pretty much all of their varied opinions and points of view. So, I pretty much can say “just because he doesn’t agree with my assessment on XXX car or the type of car I like, doesn’t mean he isn’t a car guy”.
I pretty well enjoy cars, cars and cars. To be honest.
When I want to feel like boy racer, I used to go out on a track and enjoy borrowing my buddy’s Porsche 911.
When driving on the roadway, I prefer comfort (being just over 1/2 century in age, I’ve gotten to the point where commuting in heavy traffic is merely a miserable chore and I would rather at least be comfortable while doing a necessary chore).
Frankly, my very efficient Prius is wonderful, but the ride on the 2nd world near 3rd world northwestern Michigan roads is getting me down.
My wife’s Sonata (’07 GLS 4 cyl) is so much more civilized, I’m just about convinced to forget a future Prius and perhaps just perhaps, go with a Sonata hybrid (which hopefully will be here within a year or so).
Or given the math challenge of the extra hybrid costs, I may just go “Sonata”.
If money were no object? Genesis V6.
I’ve only had two Hyundais and actually prefer them to Toyotas.
Sat in a 2009 Toyota Corolla (new gen car) and was severely disappointed with the hard plastic new vogue interior. Just awful and uninspiring. Nah! I’d rather pay for a few more gallons of gas and be comfortable in our commute…
Plus now we have TWO big dogs (one Newfoundland and another Newfy/Irish Wolfhound mix) and they barely fit in the back of the Prius. They can both “just” lay down on the back seat (with the safety barrier up between us & them). I need to get another dog barrier if I’m going to have them ride in the Sonata.
Interior looks better than I expected. I agree that 5 speeds for the auto is pretty yestertech – but the Accord does no better and is a much newer model as compared with the Sonata.
A stickshift with the 6 would be nice, but that seems to be going the way of the dinosaur. How many Asian imports offer such a combo in a midsize sedan? Honda? Nope. Toyota? Nope. Mazda? Not any more. Nissan? Not with the Maxima – their supposed 4 door sports car. Depressing, really.
What bothers me most about sport sedans…
Is they think they can do sport AND luxury.
I dont think ya can throw a GS / Maxima / E / 5 into a corner at 95 and enjoy the thrill of the ride.
I used to hunger for a GS… but its too big, heavy and fat to have any fun with.
*Im actually considering a smaller car, with a hatch tha deal with the midsized game again
What bothers me most about sport sedans…
Is they think they can do sport AND luxury.
I dont think ya can throw a GS / Maxima / E / 5 into a corner at 95 and enjoy the thrill of the ride.
I used to hunger for a GS… but its too big, heavy and fat to have any fun with.
*Im actually considering a smaller car, with a hatch rather than deal with the midsized game again
http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2008/12/15/next-generation-hyundai-sonata-yf-renderings/
Mercedes called. They want to know who stole there design renderings and stuck a crooked H on the logo. Todays car stylist are like todays musicians and movie makers. They either keep re-hashing or re-making older songs and movies or copying others ideas. Color me unimpressed.
The discussion about Hyundai resale value is moot.
If you’re buying a car in the U.S. with a ten-year warranty, you might as well keep the car until resale value no longer matters.
If you want to trade more frequently, you might as well lease. Hyundai Canada guaranteed a 42% residual value after 5 years on my 2008 Santa Fe. That’s BMW territory. End of discussion.
Finally, as the world wakes up to the Hyundai story, resale value can only improve. Even the most diehard Korea-bashers will eventually concede that 1994 is over.
A resale value discussion for any car is pointless, buy something else if you want to make money. Keep your car forever. If you really want to get rid of your car, then give it away to a friend or a charity.
There seems to be a limited amount of colors available for the SE.
menno-try the Santa Fe, big enough to hold the dogs, but not ridiculous.
I’ve never driven a 5 or 6 speed automatic, does the extra gear make that much of a difference? Is a 6 speed as much better over a 5 or a 5 over a 4 as a 4 over a 3?
It does what it does very well and that is getting people from point A to point B in a dependable, comfortable, and economical way. Is it perfect? Nope – but have you noticed that there are mechanics for the Bentley too? No car is totally trouble free – but dollar for dollar this is a good family mover.
The whole point of having their “SE” model is to get the firmer shocks and bearings.. So ya can actually drive the car instead of just dealing pointing and steering with a finger.
Driving is not A to B.
I drive 130mi a day.. about 1000 a week.. and the last thing I want.. is A to B.
If thats the case… then any car of any price rage down to the lowly Aveo from Chevy *cough Daewoo cough*, Yaris from Toyota or an ancient Town Car from Mo Fo Co would do.. for meager and boring transportation.
So while I applaud Hyun-die for adjusting ride and handling, a looks pakage (small spoiler, redone front clip with small chin spoiler, some side details, even a different set of rims would be nice). Its just not enough.
A to B just isnt enough. At least make the car work for it…
I’m sure the rabid Hyundai (rhymes with ‘Sunday,’ like the ad says) will detest me for stating facts that get in the way of their world view, but Hyundai still has not figured out how to design and fabricate a suspension that doesn’t thunk, clank, porpoise, squat, dive and – well, I’m not sure what the word is, but it’s basically what happens when each wheel is doing something incongruously different than each of the other 3 at the same time.
I can personally attest to suspension deficit disorder in the Sonata, Genesis, Azera and Veracruz. Consumer Reports remarks that the Santa Fe, along with the models I just listed, also suffers from undue and unpleasant suspension noise.
I’m not sure if Hyundai vehicles have suspensions that are essentially stable and tight for the first 5,000 miles, 10,000 miles or what interval, but I do know that the Hyundais I’ve either driven or driven in had between 7,000 and 20,000 miles on them, aside from the Genesis, which was a demo at a dealer, and the Sonata made embarrassing noises while the suspension on an ’07 Azera rental I had behaved in a manner that I can only describe as ridiculous on even flat, smooth and well constructed, long sections of Nevada and Arizona highway.
I’m sure the rabid Hyundai (rhymes with ‘Sunday,’ like the ad says) will detest me for stating facts that get in the way of their world view
Um…. just because you say things on the internet does not make them “facts”.
My Santa Fe’s suspension is bank-vault-quiet after 25,000km of driving, including trailer-towing over some of North America’s worst roads. This is the best set of wheels I have owned in my 25 years of experience with GM, Ford, Honda and Nissan products.
My world view is just fine, thanks :)
i specifically made an account w/ you guys so i can fill you in about your question:
“Instead, one of the automotive world’s greatest unsolved mysteries lives on: why is the leather on Hyundai steering wheels so slippery?”
its simple, they are one of the very few automakers (in fact, the only one that i know of, and ive worked with many) who uses split grain leather for their steering wheels and shift knobs instead of the more expensive top grain leather.
hope that’s one mystery solved.
For those into trivia, there was an SE 5-speed manual with the 4-cylinder engine in ’07, but it is rare. The clutch on these cars is very heavy, and the cable shifter mediocre. I chose the GL with automatic for that reason, and enjoy the shiftronic device, good for locking out overdrive, which the car seems to shift into at 20 mph.
So far, no problems at nearly 60K miles. Very solid build quality, simple controls, decent stereo. But resale? Forget it. And maintenance gets expensive as these engines rack up the miles, as the timing chain must come off to adjust the semi-mechanical valves. This may be necessary at the 100K mark, costs more on the 6-cylinder models. Timing chain is generally replaced at that time.
It’s No Hyundai Quattroporte, but It’s Better Than Before. exbi chao!