CD Article: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited four-cylinder

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


In the midsize market, "four is the new six" says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, who likes the smaller engine in the '09 Hyundai Sonata.  The Sonata's interior's upscale but a rattly undercarriage detracts from the package, she says.
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[Honda Owner]

A Camry LE is only $1400 more than a Sonata GL and comes with electronic stability control, brake assist and traction control. I have driven the Camry and it doesn't have any clunking suspension, either.

Even more significant is a Camry LE 4 cly with leather package is $$30,320 with freight, PDI and envrio levies. That compares to the $29,510 for the Sonata.

Not a hard choice for me.

[rrocket]

A Camry LE is only $1400 more than a Sonata GL and comes with electronic stability control, brake assist and traction control. I have driven the Camry and it doesn't have any clunking suspension, either.

Even more significant is a Camry LE 4 cly with leather package is $$30,320 with freight, PDI and envrio levies. That compares to the $29,510 for the Sonata.

Not a hard choice for me.

Forget the LE Camry.  Go for the SE trim....with leather, moonroof and manual, it lists at $29,570!!

[Minou]

A Camry LE is only $1400 more than a Sonata GL and comes with electronic stability control, brake assist and traction control. I have driven the Camry and it doesn't have any clunking suspension, either.

Even more significant is a Camry LE 4 cly with leather package is $$30,320 with freight, PDI and envrio levies. That compares to the $29,510 for the Sonata.

Not a hard choice for me.

You're referring to the MRSP but the papers overhere are full of adds for the Sonata starting as low as $17995. for a '09 GL manual and $19995. for the automatic.  At those prices, it certainly makes a good case for itself.

BTW, I paid $18295. for my '08 in June 07.

[Bullet Blue]

A Camry LE is only $1400 more than a Sonata GL and comes with electronic stability control, brake assist and traction control. I have driven the Camry and it doesn't have any clunking suspension, either.

Even more significant is a Camry LE 4 cly with leather package is $$30,320 with freight, PDI and envrio levies. That compares to the $29,510 for the Sonata.

Not a hard choice for me.

You're referring to the MRSP but the papers overhere are full of adds for the Sonata starting as low as $17995. for a '09 GL manual and $19995. for the automatic.  At those prices, it certainly makes a good case for itself.

BTW, I paid $18295. for my '08 in June 07.

At those prices, that's tremendous value for a decently build mid size.

[safristi]

 "4" is the NEW "6"....i tho't that woz a GUY THANG.............

[Schmengie]

Hyundai Canada was offering the base '08 Sonata on their website for $19,999 (cash only) a couple of months ago, but no longer. The base '09 M/T Sonata GL is $21,995, the A/T package brings it up to $23,395 and the Limited is $27,995.

By comparison, the '09 Chevy Malibu LT is $24,995, the 2LT $25,995 - that's 2 grand LESS than the Sonata Limited. My son has one of these and it's really an amazing car, IMO probably GM's best family car ever.

The base 2.5 Nissan Altima lists for $22,698, adding the CVT brings it to $25,398. The V6 3.5S with CVT starts at $27,198, still almost 800 bucks CHEAPER than the I4 Sonata Limited.

Even the fairly pricey Honda Accord EX with A/T at $28,690 is only $705 more than the Hyundai.

Other than the leather seats which aren't worth much to me anyway, I fail to see the Sonata's advantage, especially against the Mailbu. It sure isn't the killer deal it used to be.

[Rob M]

We have an '07 GL, bought used (former daily rental) and it now has 60,000km. We love the car, and even though it has it's clunky suspension - we barely notice it now.

[Minou]

Hyundai Canada was offering the base '08 Sonata on their website for $19,999 (cash only) a couple of months ago, but no longer. The base '09 M/T Sonata GL is $21,995, the A/T package brings it up to $23,395 and the Limited is $27,995.

By comparison, the '09 Chevy Malibu LT is $24,995, the 2LT $25,995 - that's 2 grand LESS than the Sonata Limited. My son has one of these and it's really an amazing car, IMO probably GM's best family car ever.

The base 2.5 Nissan Altima lists for $22,698, adding the CVT brings it to $25,398. The V6 3.5S with CVT starts at $27,198, still almost 800 bucks CHEAPER than the I4 Sonata Limited.

Even the fairly pricey Honda Accord EX with A/T at $28,690 is only $705 more than the Hyundai.

Other than the leather seats which aren't worth much to me anyway, I fail to see the Sonata's advantage, especially against the Mailbu. It sure isn't the killer deal it used to be.

Look in the papers as I said.  Those are MRSP prices and don't reflect actual street prices.  The base Sonata GL is $17995. and the automatic $19995.

[Schmengie]

^^^^^ I've checked the paper and the local Hyundai dealer. No such deals here - their listed starting price for an '09 Sonata is identical to MSRP at $21,995. They have one USED '08 Sonata with 18,589k on it for $19,995.

They do offer a $300 Internet customer discount coupon, though. Wow.

http://www.hilltopvernon.ca/

[random006]

Perhaps this is what you saw?

http://www.hyundailongueuil.com/landing/fr/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=montreal%2Bhyundai&utm_campaign=FG%2BHyundai

[Minou]

Perhaps this is what you saw?

http://www.hyundailongueuil.com/landing/fr/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=montreal%2Bhyundai&utm_campaign=FG%2BHyundai

No matter what dealer or city around Montreal, I see those prices.

I guess, Schmengie will have to move to the Republic de la Poutine...

[Schmengie]

Perhaps this is what you saw?

http://www.hyundailongueuil.com/landing/fr/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=montreal%2Bhyundai&utm_campaign=FG%2BHyundai

No matter what dealer or city around Montreal, I see those prices.

I guess, Schmengie will have to move to the Republic de la Poutine...

  Maybe. Do you have cheeseburgers there? 

[slybry]

Sorry to read that 2009 still has suspension rattles etc etc. I read they tweaked the suspension in the re-freshing for 2009. I guess it was not tweaked enough to resolve all the issues.

I think I read elsewhere that the 2009 is a little less floaty and more hunkered down. I hope that part is true.

Nice car... and the interior has gone from a deal breaker to one that I really like.

[safristi]

.."hundered down" cheap deposit there..........................$$$$$$.....I'm hunkering down in my GOLD VAULT...swimmin' wif wimmen........ ...i'm open Sunday   5am to 5:15 fer Mixed bathing for the unemployed...........$10 admission.........

[slybry]

.."hundered down" cheap deposit there..........................$$$$$$.....I'm hunkering down in my GOLD VAULT...swimmin' wif wimmen........ ...i'm open Sunday   5am to 5:15 fer Mixed bathing for the unemployed...........$10 admission.........

hundered down  My mistake....... I meant hunkered down. Now modified to make a little more sense. Not much more mind you..