Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited 4 door sedan. Welllll… there’s a new sheriff in town as they say. I continue to be impressed with the new kid on the block – Hyundai. Each added exposure to testing this car company’s products makes me feel the world is closing in on the once dominant US auto industry for consumer personal transportation. The American Dream continues to be exported to the world by immigrants in America from virtually every country on earth. Some would say they come from other places in the universe too, even though not quite like the characters from the bar scene in Star Wars, but visit Downtown Anywhere USA and you may just bump into one of those strange characters. You’ll find they are not from Alpha Centuri but from a continent far far away on planet earth.
General Info:
Parts – US/Canadian 39%. Korea 61%.
Assembly – Montgomery Alabama
Class: – Passenger sedan
Cars: – Accent, Azera, Elantra, Entourage, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tiburon, Tucson & Veracruz.
Easily as good as all those in class for a lot less money.
Styling:
This is not a BMW or Audi or Lexus but you can’t help but be impressed with the fact these newcomers are blurring the lines of difference more each year. What a nice looking car for those consumers without their nose in the air and for who a “Badge” is required to make them feel better than others. Those with a strong ‘Self’ image will see the attractive styling of this Korean newcomer without the badge of snobbery.
Fit and Finish:
Quite good.
Cost:
Huge value for the money, which will fade just as the Japanese cars did in the 1970s and 1980s.
Conveniences and comfort:
Pretty good features list, but I suggest you add to the list sparingly and choose only those options to enhance safety and quality first. To me that means “Hands Free” everything you can afford. Blue tooth, steering wheel controls etc., which makes your travels safer.
Consumer Recommendation:
Look seriously at this car because it not only looks good, you will notice high quality mechanical things like variable valve timing in the engine, stability control, four wheel disc brakes, air bags a bunch and tire pressure monitoring system. All these are usually found on more expensive cars.
Recognized Competition:
Hyundai Sonata $18-26,000, Pontiac Grand Prix $22-29,000, Nissan Altima $19-29,000, Honda Accord $20-31,000, Ford Fusion $18-25,000, Kia Optima $17-21,000.
2009 – Toyota Camry $19-28,000, Mitsubishi Galant $21-27,000, Chevrolet Malibu $21-26,000, Buick LaCrosse $25-33,000, Saturn Aura Hybrid $24,930, Pontiac G6 $20-31,000, Chevrolet Impala $ n/a, Mazda 6 $19-28,000.
Good News:
Nice styling, comfortable ride and handling, priced very well in class, good safety features and impressive fuel economy.
Bad News:
Relatively new company products from an otherwise century old industry.
Standard Equipment:
2.4 liter engine 175 hp Inline 4-cylinder engine, continuous variable valve timing, 5-speed auto transmission with shift-tronic function, electronic stability control, power assist 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, front, side and curtain air bags, audio system with CD player, keyless entry, power windows and locks, power windows, locks and mirrors, leather seating with front heated seats and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, climate control, fog lights, 17” alloy wheels and power sunroof and tilt.
Gas Stats:
$4.09/ Gal avg. August 5, 2008
for more information.
22 City and 32 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $23,970.
