Hyundai have been working overtime in the last few years to build their image as the manufacturers of high quality and well engineered vehicles and this year’s Sonata should go a long way towards achieving that. Half way through its production cycle, the 2009 Sonata gets a pretty significant upgrade, and it has turned what was already a really nice mid-sized sedan into a great one. With improvements in performance, interior and external styling, plus Hyundai’s usual long warranty, the Sonata is a serious contender in this highly competitive class with the likes of the Honda Accord, Mazda MAZDA6 and Toyota Camry.
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that has been upgraded from 162hp to 175hp and this year it also includes variable valve timing on the intake and the exhaust to increase power and fuel economy, up to 22/32mpg city/highway. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission this year, up from the four-speed manual of the previous models, and it is standard on the GLS and SE trim, with an optional five-speed automatic which is standard on the Limited trim.
The other engine choice is the 3.3-liter V6 which is available as an option on all of the trims, and produces 249hp, up from 234 last year. Torque stands at 229lb-ft which gives more than adequate power for all situations. On this engine the five-speed automatic is the only available transmission and fuel economy stands at 19/29mpg, a slight improvement over last year’s figures.
Hyundai has its priorities firmly set with the Sonata, and it is much more about a comfortable family sedan that drives responsibly than a sporty high performance vehicle. Consequently the suspension is set for a smooth and bump-free ride, although this year it has been firmed up a bit in the GLS and Limited trims to give a slightly better level of responsiveness. The SE trim already featured firmer sports suspension. The steering on the Sonata has been accused of being numb in the past, but this year it too has been improved for overall better and more satisfying handling without compromising family comfort. Cornering remains a sore point with plenty of body roll exhibited, but the SE remains the pick of the bunch thanks to its sports tuning and better grip on the road.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Interior and Features
The interior of the Sonata was always stylish, but now with a complete refit it is a seriously attractive cabin. There is an overall feeling of spaciousness and clean styling with the dash getting a redesign to reposition the controls up higher and plenty of storage space created below. There is tasteful use of soft plastics throughout the cabin and importantly everything fits neatly with minimal plastic flashing. This is not the most luxurious cabin on the market, don’t get us wrong, but it is certainly the best you can get for under $25,000. The seats are comfortable and well-supported with even larger bottom cushion area this year, and there is more than enough leg and head room in the front. Likewise in the rear seat there is ample legroom even with the front seats pushed back.
There are three trims in the 2009 Sonata, and the base model GLS includes as standard full power accessories, airconditioning, heated side mirrors, 16-inch wheels, good quality cloth upholstery, remote keyless entry and six-speaker CD/MP3 player with digital media connection. In the V6 a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are included. The SE includes all this plus 17-inch alloy wheels, upgraded upholstery with leather inserts, power driver seat, rear spoiler and performance tires. The Limited adds wood grain trim, leather upholstery with heated and powered front seats, a premium stereo system, power sunroof and universal remote control for garage doors and gates. To this can be added a navigation system with voice activation, and most of the additional features on the Limited are available as options on the SE. Other options include wireless cell phone facility, trip computer and automatic headlights.
Trunk space is amongst the best in the class at 16.3 cubic feet, with wide opening and a split folding rear seat to allow for longer items to be stored. There are plenty of storage cubbies throughout the cabin.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Safety
Hyundai have put a lot of effort into building their safety ratings, and the 2009 Sonata gained a perfect five stars in government crash testing for front and side impact situations. Unlike many of the competitors, stability control is standard on all models, along with anti-locking brakes with brake assist and traction control, which work together to give maximum control in emergency situations. Dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags are standard.
- Electronic stability control, ABS, brake assist and traction control
- Front, side and side curtain airbags
- Tire pressure monitor
Overall the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is proof of why mid-production cycle updates are worthwhile, giving this mid-sized sedan a massive boost against its stiff competition to become one of the best value sedans on the market.