Used 2009 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews
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Simply a great value
Blown away by the overall look and feel of this car which cost $19,700.00 My friend has a G35 and I still can't figure out why anyone would pay twice the price for more horse power and a nav system. Just a great overall value for a driver who is financially smart without a need to impress.
Not quite there yet, but almost
Very good value when compared to Nissan and Toyota, with/without the rebate, and excellent value vs. Accord with Hyundai rebate. The 2.4 has good power, but performance of the 5 speed automatic leaves a bit to be desired. Hyundai engineers failed in "coordinating" the transmission gearing and/or final drive and/or cruise control sensor. Climbing any incline over a couple of degrees at 60 mph or so will surely result in downshift from 5th to 4th (an increase of 900 rpm) when some downshifting is not at all necessary, or only a 5th gear "shift" to clutch/slippage (an increase of only 300-400 rpm) in 5th gear would be sufficient -- though still 'busy'. Otherwise, I'm glad to own one.
- GLS SedanMSRP: $4,99552 mi away
- Limited V6 SedanMSRP: $3,79961 mi away
- GLS SedanMSRP: $5,99572 mi away
Good but not as great as I expected
Probably should have bought the 4 cylinder for the extra gas mileage, the 6 cylinder is good with a heavy load (people, etc) but not necessary when just one. Have had trouble with "flat" tires...looks like the car sat too long on the lot and this is an '09..tires were changed by dealer off another '09 and still seems to be a rough ride. (Lotta weight was put on the rims too). Great visibility, turns in tight areas well. Interior vinyl (dash/doors) can scratch easily--several nicks are showing up from objects that touch vinyl...Getting lots of customer appreciation "touches" from dealer and Hyundai corp....a very professional group! Getting alot of "lookers" at car..
Sold in One Month!!
I own a 2005 Sonata w 105k miles on it, and was very pleased with the car as basic reliable transport. When I saw the 2009 Limited it was obvious that Hyundai had upgraded the car tremendously. Great looking, lots of pep, good stereo, good mileage. Hyundai has realy dropped the ball with the suspension. The car rides OK over very flat roads, on any uneven surfaces, THE CAR THUNDERS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPRINGS OR SHOCKS... It was substantially louder than my 2005.. The interior looks great, but the interior materials crack and pop when the temperature changes, AC or Heat, it doesn't matter. I was extremely disappointed. Took a bath to sell it, bought used 07 Lexus which is a dream.
My wife loves this car!
My wife loves this car! I like it myself. It is sound, comfortable and even the 4cyl. engine has a decent amount of get up and go. Everything inside is at the drivers fingertips.
Great gas mileage
Bought car at the end of June. Have 4,200 miles on so far. Have had no problems, except once in a while on a warm day, the gas tank must get an air bubble or some type of vapor lock in it, because I have had three times when I went to fill it up with Gas, I could not fill it up. It would be about 2 or 3 gallons from being full. Dealership is no help in this issue. However when I can fill it up, Gas mileage has been excellent. Always over 30 MPG, except the two times I used Gas with Ethanol in it, and my MPG went down to 28. So the answer is use 100 percent Gas, none of that Ethanol crap. Lets DRILL DRILL DRILL. Wife also loves the car. Seems to handle very good. Sound system is nice.
Bumpy but good
Very good car, but very bumpy on hard and rough roads. Had to replace stabilizer bar after 3 days old relating to a bumpy feel on the road. Have been told that there is a problem with the strut mounts from an outside vendor and the dealership don't see the problem, but they have felt it. I'm awaiting to have company rep to see the car to let me know what they can do about this problem. Other then that a cool car.
the old path's view
Have been driving the Sonata for a few months now, including two 600 mile plus trips. Comfortable ride, great gas mileage (26 around town, 34 on highway), and easy to drive. Especially like the addition of the USB port for IPODS or IPHONES, it works very well. Only downside is the noise the engine makes at idle. It has a ticking sound, which goes away once you get the car past idle. This sound is not heard inside car unless door or windows are open. The 5 speed automatic transmission makes up for any lack of power that the 4 cyl engine has. Overall, I have been very impressed, would buy the same car again, and recommend it for others.
Great Bang for your buck
I considered the Honda Accord & Toyota Camry before deciding on the Hyundai. The most noticeable features which impressed me were the whisper-quiet interior and feature-rich Limited package. The Honda accord had nicer exterior stying and better handling, but for the thousands of dollars more for equivalent features, was simply not worth it. As others have noted, the suspension needs tweaking- it leans noticeably in corners, and shock absorption on rough roads ruins the otherwise quiet isolation in the cabin. Overall, it's an excellent value for someone looking for a refined luxury ride with exception power from the 3.1L V6 engine. Overall, I'm very satisfied.
Delighted with the Sonata
We did all the research and had our minds set to purchase a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. But when we noted the small difference in price between the Elantra and the 2009 Sonata after discounts, we decided on the Sonata because of its roominess and stated difference of only one fewer mile per gallon highway. No mistake! This car is comfortable, quiet, and the most pleasurable car to drive I've ever experienced other than something really high priced. And even then, the difference is marginal. And what a surprise to put on 507 miles of around-town driving before dumping in 14.8 gallons of gas when the pump popped. XM radio and turn-down seats for extra storage also pluses we are happy with.
Nice Car - Good Value
This one beats the heck out of my 2000 Camry..or any of my dozen or so GM, Ford or Chysler products from the last 30 years. It is comfortable, gets much better mileage than advertised, and drives better than the Edmunds people rate it. I took an emergency 90 degree turn at about 30 mph and the car didn't roll or leave the road.
You get lots more than what you pay for
I paid a bit more than 15,000 USD for this large sedan. No luxury car, granted, but it has all that you need: nine airbags, four automatic windows, AC, et cetera. The greatest two things are : (i) size: even with he front seat entirely back the people in the back have ample space; (ii) the engine: the "little" 2.4 is a real joy: because of the manual upshift, you can really beat most of the other traffic. In town, the car gets 20 mpg. But highway, I easily get better than 35 mpg. The fifth gear picks up very well and moves smoothly from low rpm to high rpm. I just did 1500 miles in three days and the seats give ample support as well. What a car. Why can't GM make such gems? Ed
exellent value
Dealership was very aggressive in a good way....cost of this vehicle was considerably less than an EX Honda 08. WOW!
Very pleased so far!
Very pleased so far. Family and I just finished 1800 mile road trip and averaged 31.1 mpg on the way there (A/C on low and cruise set at 73). Averaged 28.0 mpg on way back (A/C on low and averaging 82mph...I wanted to get home!) Traded in 2002 Infiniti I35 so I was accustomed to all the amenities; glad to see that Hyundai didn't disappoint. Got full KBB excellent private party value for trade, $2500 rebate (standard and military), $1000 off after haggling and a free spoiler thrown in. Gas mileage in town is lower than I'd like but that's to be expected with constant stop and go.
Everything and more
When I decided on a Sonata it was after many hours of research and test drives. I've had the Sonata for a couple of months now and have been more than happy. My gas mileage has been better than the EPA (about 26/34) and it has had plenty of power when I've needed it. I'm not going to win many races but it gets the job done in every day traffic. I'm 6'4", and 250lbs. and the Sonata has been plenty big and very comfortable to drive in the city and long trips (I've taken two). The interior is well designed and well laid out and the 2009 Sonata has a seat that's about and inch longer than the previous year, and that has made a massive difference in overall comfort.
Love my Hyundai
I would absolutely purchase a Hyundai again. The car has a smooth ride, lots of trunk space, and handles great. I love having cup holders for both the front seat and the back. The seats are comfortable and all passengers have plenty of room.
Sonata is fantastic - mpg over 30!!
My Sonata is the SE V6 model. This car is really amazing. The V6 rolls down the interstate at 75-80 with no effort at all. Have just gone by 13k miles. Once this got to around 12,000 miles, the fuel economy was almost unbelievable. Now averaging over 30mpg with set @ 75mph!! Handling is great. Seats are really comfortable. If there's better performance coupled with fuel economy in a V6 with 250 hp, I'd be surprised. We bought this over the Accord, Camary and Malibu and so for have NO regrets at all!!
Money well spent.
We got a Sonata because our previous car was starting to show it's age (2000 Ford Focus). We also own a Tucson and the reliability is outstanding so we bought another Hyundai. I love the design and the spaciousness of the interior in which you can actually stretch your legs. The fit and finish is excellent made with quality materials and there's no rattles or squeaks to be heard. Hyundai has greatly improved their product line and improving every year.
Amazing for the Bucks!
I've had my 2009 Hyundai Sonata for about 2 1/2 months and I still love it! I was looking for a reliable, fuel- efficient, roomy, car with leather and I could not believe they sold me this car for $15,990....with leather seats? It's not the Limited model, but it had everything I realistically needed in a car...did I say leather? Best SURPRISE of all is that it's virtually MAINTENANCE-FREE(oil and air filter change only) in normal conditions for 60K miles. My Subaru needs something every 15-24K. Who cares about Honda and Toyota's reputation when I have 100k, 10 year PT warranty. It's one of those few things in life that is too good to be true....but it is!
Smooth, quiet, powerful
This car is very smooth and quiet. While no sports car, it is more powerful than my previous two cars, a Taurus SHO, and a Maxima SE. The interior is very well done, the seats are extremely comfortable, and the stereo is excellent. Should be an outstanding interstate cruiser. Am averaging 25mpg in a mix of driving. The nav unit works quite well(after the original faulty unit was cheerfully replaced by the dealer). Very affordable with the rebate($3000). Outstanding value.
One Year review
I have now owned this vehicle for 1 year with 20k and it hasn't had so much as a hiccup. What originally sold me, apart from the price and warranty was the interior and trunk size, (large), and the level of comfort, usually only felt with leather upgraded interior. I love all the thoughtful little upgrades which are standard, such as the 3 nozzle window sprayer, the above visor lit vanities lights, and beautiful interior stack. I have been averaging 31 mpg on regular, and honestly, I hardly miss my G35(only off the ramps and when I feel a little crazy), or its 20 mpg with super. My wife now likes to take it whenever she can and everyone who rides with me is quite impressed.
Excellent Buy
I recently purchased the Limited V6 with NAV, Leather, Bluetooth. Have about 700 miles. Averaging 28.5 MPG true Highway, 24 MPG Limited city, 21MPG City. Overall very impressed with vehicle. Drove the Camry and the Sonata blew it away in comfort and styling. Only knock is slight hesitation in acceleration after decelerating. Nav performs great and much smaller than most vehicles and touch screen a plus, Bluetooth has good performance. The fit and finish is far superior than the 2008 Sonata. Seats are very comfortable and dual zone temperature control feature is awesome although temperature seems to run a little hotter than actual. Purchased car during 2K rebate. No regrets with purchase.
Very good and practical
I'm 48. After many years of sports cars and pick-ups, including my last Chevy S-10,which literally fell apart at 70,000 miles, I bought a new Sonata. I am a family man, with daughters 11 and 8. My wife drives a van. So, I decided to be practical -- buy a family sedan with good ratings and few frills. It came down to a Sonata or Honda Accord. I liked the Sonata better after test drives (the base Accord had a weird dash with giant radio call numbers) -- and it was $3,600 less. So far I like it, though there may be a 'thump' underneath. I liked the S-10 new too for a while, but quickly problems arose and I was profoundly disappointed overall. No more union- made cars for me.
4 cyl surprise
I am flabbergasted at the smoothness and agility of the Sonata 4 cyl. It surpasses anything I ever expected. I have been driving a 3.8 V-6 with every conceivable option. This Sonata beats the pants off my old car even though I liked it a lot. Mileage is in the low 30's, pick up is surprisingly quick and quiet. The ride is great, albeit not quite as good as my XG350. It handles very well with a good feel on the road and in traffic. It has enough options to be comfortable and complete.
Great Car
This is our second Sonata and the differences between the 2006 and the 2009 are amazing. They really listened to suggestions and incorporated them. It hesitates a wee bit (like the 2006 did) on acceleration, but all things considered, that's great for gas mileage. We're stuck on Sonata's. Great car - great value.
Great value!-minor gripes.
Have this car for 1 year and this is my first review. Very smooth and brisk 4 cyl. Powertrain. Like the shiftronic feature. Interior is beautiful and comfortable. Controls feel like quality and work flawlessly. Body design is classy in my opinion. Highway mpg exceeds epa, can average 34, mixed driving is around 22. In all fairness I do lots of driving in an area with poorly timed lights, lots of heavy traffic and idling - that alone yields an mpg of 14! Hence the 8 rating. Minor misalignment of few body panels. Creaking from interior parts and yes, the distracting suspension noise that doesn't mar a smooth ride too badly. Still, lot of car at a great deal. Pleasant ride. Couldn't do better.
Great Car at It's Price Point
Test drove similar sized cars such as Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camary....This car is a good value for the money and was about $2000 less than the 2010 Fusion which was my 2nd choice....The car lacks a few items like driver and passenger side arm rets..The rear seating could be better...The 2.4L engine delivers good response and the overall ride is very good for a car this size....
Third Hyundai Owned Review
I purchased mt car on 31 Dec 2008 and it now has 7,200 miles on it. I have owned 3 Hyundais and have NEVER had one in the shop! My last was an 07 SE. This time I decided not to buy another chaepo model. I have installed a rear spoiler color matched and a K&N air filter since purchasing. When I drive the new 4 cylinder car, it was hard to believe it was a 4. The old 4 cylinder was a pure dog!
Best Car I've Ever Owned
I spent 4 months researching cars to replace my beloved GMC Envoy (SUV). Everything else was too small, or overpriced, or didn't have stability control. And while I had my mind set on a 4 cylinder SE (for the price and fuel economy), a V6 came along as a dealer demo with 9500 miles on it. Thus, it was cheaper than a "new" 4 cylinder and now I have a car with a super-powerful and smooth, unbelievably quiet engine. The car now has nearly 11,000 miles on it with no rattles. I'm averaging 24 mpg on my 12 mile suburban commute. I got 35 mpg on an all-highway trip. Great in the mountains. Great looks, super comfortable, very modern. Beats every car I've owned, including a Passat.
Outstanding!
I never thought I would ever consider buying a foreign vehicle but, with the new 'Cash for Clunkers' stimulus package, my wife and I decided to take a look at the 2009 Sonata GLS. All I could say was... Wow! It won us over immediately. With it's over-all sleek design, great handling and large interior comfort; we looked at each other and knew it was the car for both of us. The price was right (well within our budget range) and the the total feel was unmatched in other cars I have owned. This car has added new excitement to our lives. Two thumbs-up here. My wife chose the Camel Pearl color (her favorite) and I purchased the Powdered White Pearl.
Best New Car I Ever Owned
Wanted an economy car to replace an eleven year old Pontiac. Got more than I wanted... Fun/easy to drive... Great economy (21/35)... Surprisingly good acceleration for a 4-cyl... Almost luxury level interior. (heated seats, cabin air filter, dual air/heat controls for passenger and driver, I- pod plug-in for sound system, XM radio, bluetooth for cell phone, moon roof, steering wheel radio controls, telescope/tilt steering wheel, heated side mirrors, tire inflation warning system, air bags everywhere, lots of storage compartments, leather seats/steering wheel, 5-speed auto or use it like stick shift, compass, dimming rear-view mirror, home-link garage door openers (3), 8-way power seat)$20,900.
09 limited V6
Just ended a lease on an infiniti m35 and picked up the 09 limited v6 with nav. So far I have put 1800 miles on it including one 800 mi. Trip. I looked at the Camry, accord and altima but went with the sonata based on reviews and price. I was out the door for just over 23k and that was with every option. The sticker was over 30k. I am getting just under 30 mpg on the highway and low 20's in town. Considering my last infiniti was just over 50k loaded and I could have bought 2 of these with money left over its an amazing deal. Just like Hyundai's advertisement say's "think about it" I am glad I did.
Hyundai Sonata The Winner
Just purchased after reviewing and test driving the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. My impressions: Solid well built car, great amenities, nice ride. Before buying I read the reviews about the car being a rattle-trap on bumpy roads, well my driveway is about 150 yards of dirt washboard and the car didn't rattle excessively while traversing it. Yes with the very tight suspension you can feel the road irregularities, the car however never feels out of control. And it really feels and sounds solid. My other car is a Merc-Benz S420 and the sounds in the driveway are comparable. I would recommend this car to anyone needing reliable basic transportation at a value price. Paid $200 under invoice.
Great car for the price
Handles great on interstate as well as secondary roads. Good acceleration even with the 2.4 (4 cyl). Love the body styling, first foreign car I have purchased. It will not be the last.
The Sonata Limited wins!
We went to World Car Hyundai/Nissan. We test drove a base Sonata with an option package and we weren't totally adverse to the experience, but we didn't like the interior fabric, the paint color, or the cheapo wheels. The dealer was running a sale this particular day, it was also coincidentally the end of the month and it turns out that's a very good time to buy a new car. I found a silver blue metallic Sonata Limited with the four cylinder and they had a sale price on it of $21,699. Wow, I thought. This is a nice car. In conjunction with $2,000 customer cash from Hyundai, we paid $2,225 less than invoice. Good negotiators might still beat that price.
2009 pearl white gls
I bought this car for the value,roominess,and style, We have a family of five 3 teen boys 6ft3 280 pnds,6ft2 215,and youngest 5'10 170. wife 5ft9 140, Me 6'1 320. We all fit with comfort I really like the new design of the seats they are made for taller people with lots of leg and shoulder room. Easy to drive.
very good bang for the buck
Given the $3000 Hyundai rebate, Sonata was a deal too good to pass. You can get the same features and performance for thousands less than on a Camry or Accord.
Watch out Camry!!!!
Purchased a 4cyl 09 limited in June. On my 2nd tank and averaging 25mpg locally. Build quality excellent. Previously owned 2 Toyotas, both Avalons but the price point on this car was exceptional. Would recommend highly!
Pleasantly Surprised
After driving an SUV (Ford Explorer then Mercury Mountaineer) for the past 11 years) wasn't sure I could get used to driving at a lower elevation. But I am very comfortable in my Sonata. Not to mention the smoother ride and great gas mileage. On a recent 400 mile road trip driving between 65 to 75 mph got 33 mpg.
Worth of Price
I've had my 2009 Hyundai Sonata for about 2 months and I still love it! I was looking for a fuel- efficient, has comfort with good interior and in low budget. I had everything I realistically needed in a car...Best of all is that it's MAINTENANCE-FREE(oil and air filter change only) in normal conditions for 60K miles.
POOR SHOCKS
We have had our Sonata almost a year now and very pleased with all but one thing. I have got as much as 33 mpg on trips and low as 22 mpg around town. All around quality seems great. Ride is smooth until a big bump is hit and the shocks don't prevent it from bottoming out. So it makes a loud bang on big bumps. I think the shocks are weak. That wouldn't keep me from buying another Sonata.
What a Value
After driving all the other brands... for the price we just couldn't beat the 2009 Sonata SE(stickered at 22945 paid 17545 w/cash for clunkers out the door for 13045 w/o tax) the Sonata has more standard convenience features then any model that we drove, after a 1000 mile trip we averaged 32mpg and I don't miss a V6 at all, plenty of power from the 2.4 engine. The car behaves great on the highway and West Virginia country roads we just couldn't be more pleased. The Sonata warranty it made our purchase easy.
My 09 Sonata
I picked this up at the dealership where I work. After talking to the techs, they all told me how well they ran and how reliable they were. I am seeing my vehicle get on average 24-26 miles to the gallon. I love my vehicle and I am glad I purchased it.
Nice Surprise -- I am Impressed
I drove and looked at the Altima and Camry before deciding on the Sonata (I have owned Hondas for years and wanted something different). Seemed to me that the other brands are resting on their name and are letting quality and value slip. Hyundai really seems to be trying and has put some very nice features into their base model that you have to pay a lot more for in the other brands. I only have about 400 miles so far but I am impressed with the car. Quality seems great. If the car can make it to 200K with no major repairs I will say they have arrived. Can't beat a price that is $4K to $6K less than the others and a 5yr/60K bumper to bumper with 100K powertrain warranty. I'm impressed!
great buy
have had the car about a month and can't wait to get behind the wheel every day. it rides like a dream and has lots of bells and whistles for the money.
Nice car, Good Price
The Sonata GLS with sunroof is a very nice car. The steering has very little feedback, the springs "bong" each time I back out of the drive, the AC works well and the engine is pretty responsive for a 4 CYL. The dash is generally fine, the trunk is large. Nice car for the money.
Great Car!
Went to a local auto show to look at buying a Camry, Accord, Altima, or Malibu. I kept going back to look at the Sonata vs the other cars and concluded it was every bit as well built for thousands less. I did some more research and bought the Sonata. If all the cars were the same price I still would have picked the Sonata. The fact that it was thousands less was just a bonus and it has a warranty that the others won't even attempt to compete with. The car drives very nice and is very comfortable and quiet. The 4 cyl. engine delivers more than adequate performance and on a recent highway trip I got over 35 mpg. Great Car!
Not all is perfect
Purchased Limited w/nav in Jan 09, traded in 2002 Honda EX and paid 16K, best deal for 4-door sedan bar none. Incredible list of features for the money, and after 5500 miles, I feel this car is superior to Honda. Happy with engine performance, seat comfort, sound system. But considerable body roll and suspension noise on bad pavement, as many people have noted. Gas mileage not as good as advertised, only getting 18mpg in city. Mileage computer only tracks mileage since last fill-up, no lifetime stats. Controls on driver's door not lit, hard to find at night. Limited options for viewing and playing music on USB drive. Trunk is hard to close when holding something, you really have to push down.
Great car, not just for the money
We purchased this car to replace my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After doing a lot of research we decided on the Sonata. I couldn't be happier. The ride is smooth, but not floaty. The 2.4 has just enough power, and get's terrific mileage. Interior and Exterior design are awesome. This is one well built, well thought out car.
Love my Hyundai
I've owned my Sonata for 10k miles...and I still love it. I moved from a 4 door pickup and was very nervous about going to a sedan. No regrets. Also I've looked and looked and can not find anything wrong with this vehicle. This is the only car I've owned that I've not had to take it back for some kind of warranty work.