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Vehicle Overview:
Vehicle Type: Midsize Car
ABS Brakes: Standard
Standard Airbags: 6
MPG: 19-22/29-32 (City/HWY)
Engine Offered:
2.4L I4 175HP
3.3L V6 249HP
Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 3.4
Exterior: 3.9
Interior: 3.9
Overall: 3.8
Review Guide:
5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
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2009 Hyundai Sonata
Consumer Car Review Summary
Top 5 Pros of 2009 Hyundai Sonata
1. Quiet and smooth ride
2. Exterior design
3. Powerful V6
4. Safety features
5. Roomy cabin
Top 5 Cons of 2009 Hyundai Sonata
1. Wider and longer seats
2. Automatic folding side mirrors
3. More steering wheel audio controls
4. Sportier suspension
5. Standard navigation
2009 Hyundai Sonata Reviews by Consumers
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
By Carla
Submitted 2010-12-30 15:38:12
Performance: 
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Great Price. Got the car for 13,500 with 22,000 miles on it.
Power Train AND Bumper to Bumper warranties carried over.
Good gas mileage.
Wasn't even considering a Hyundai when I was looking because I though they were pieces of junk, but after I test drove and negotiated the price for 10 hours I bought it. Apparently Hyundai redesigned everything after 2002 when they realized their cars sucked and they did a good job.
Got the pearl white color, which I LOVE.
Interior space is utilized VERY well. Same size bumper to bumper as my 04 Monte Carlo but Sonata is much more comfortable.
Quite a bit of power for a 4 cyl.
I like the ABS and ESC.
Best car for the price. Forget Honda and Toyota.
Oil change isn't needed for 7,000 miles.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Suspension a little tight.
I don't like that I have to push a button to open the gas tank. It's right next to the trunk button and I get them confused. It sounds like I'm lazy but it gets really irritating.
Not enough console space. I'm always yelling at my boyfriend for not leaving me any room in the cup holders.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Really the best car for what I spent. I will never buy an American car again. I am absolutely in love with the way this car looks. Only I wish I had a sun roof. :(
By LeRoy
Submitted 2010-10-25 20:54:56
Performance:
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
I purchased the 4 cylinder engine and am surprised at the power in this engine. I was passing another car and my car was able to get to 85 mph very quickly.
The gas mileage on a long trip of nearly 3000 miles was 32.3 miles per gallon.
I was able to purchase this car when it was about 22 months old for about 55% of its original price.
The car has some "extra" that are very nice such as 4 wheel disc brakes, ABS, and ESC.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
The cruise control makes the transmission shift down a gear or two on hills that thus the engine goes to about 3000 rpm.
I wished I had purchased electric seats and seats with more cushion.
The tire pressure regulator light goes on in cold weather and the tires still had 28.5 pounds of pressure. You need to keep the tires at 32 pounds of pressure to keep the light off.
The keys rub the lower part of the dash.
The ride on many roads is rougher that I wished it was.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Good car for the money. Great gas mileage. Rough ride.
By paul
Submitted 2009-10-08 13:10:15
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
I bought a 2009 Limited with V6 and am very impressed with the quality, ride and even, surprising with the V6, the gas mileage (25 to 30 mpg).
I have owned Camrys for years and it took a leap of faith to buy a Sonata but frankly I don't see much difference and for the amenities I get with the Sonata a new comparable version of a Camry or Accord would have been thousands more or I would have had to buy a used 2006 or 2007 Camry or Hyundai.
The dealership folks also were first-rate; not hard-sell at all.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
As mentioned the suspension is a bit rough on rough roads but I don't know if that is the tires or the firmer susepnsion I read Hyundai put in for the 2009 Sonata to improve handling. Earlier in my life I owned sports cars and those also sacrifice a cushy ride for some bumps. I prefer good handling, which this car has, and will live with a few bumps.
It also could be the crappy tires they put on at the factory, which I will upgrade as soon as possible.
I also wish I could turn the great radio up louder.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
The Hyundai Sonata, in terms of quality, amenities, gas mileage, warranty and performance, to me is the best value of the mid-size family sedans.
By david
Submitted 2009-09-03 13:40:25
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
The car is good to excellent in all areas.
Very quiet ride (lots of insulation) compared to the Hondas I've had.
Disc brakes on all 4 wheels, ABS and Electronic Stability Control on the base GLS model plus the satellite radio.
Thousands less than the Honda Accord with more standard equipment.
It doesn't have quite the punch my '06 Accord had but the ride is smoother and quieter, which is better for long trips.
I too noticed the frequent downshifts on cruise control. It's easily remedied by putting the shiftronic in manual mode--you're in 5th gear until you change it.
The warranty is a plus as well.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
The front console could be larger to accommodate the junk I carry around.
I noticed that the speedometer registers about 5% more speed than I'm actually going (according to my GPS). I intend to see if this can be fixed at my first maintenance visit.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
I've had the car for 3 months with no significant complaints. The more I drive it, the more I like the ride and feel of it. I never expected to get ESC on a car in this price range, but I suspect that is one reason for the "feel" and good ride of the car.
By GUEST
Submitted 2008-06-16 02:00:58
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Very smooth, quiet ride.
I wasn't even considering Hyundai when I first started looking, but wound up buying the Sonata this weekend. I took a road trip yesterday and, according to the trip computer, I was getting 34mpg (albeit that was going 50-55mph on the highway since it's still in the break-in period).
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
The stereo isn't quite as nice as I had first thought it would be. Don't get me wrong - it has crisp sound but the bass can be a little muddled and the middle obscured (of course, you can play around with the EQ a little and make it sound somewhat better).
Also, it isn't something they'll tell you at the dealership but the iPod control only works if you put it in disk mode and name the folders yourself. It will play the music in regular mode, but the car display defaults to the file name and the iPod stores the mp3s in random folders with random 4-letter filenames (I have an older iPod, so this could have changed).
Also the dual-climate sounds like a nice feature but in reality it doesn't work so well because there is only one main AC fan, so if the temperatures differ by more than a couple degrees one or both people get a lot of unnecessary airflow in their face.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Overall, a very nice car with an incredible deal. I was able to talk them down to $22k (list price is around $26500, and the only rebate listed is $1500).
By dave cobaugh
Submitted 2009-11-01 16:33:23
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
I love the overall appearance and the economy.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
The suspension is terrible. It might be the lower profile tires. I had it back to the dealer twice to check the suspension. I hope when I get new tires that the ride would improve.
By Mary Wright
Submitted 2009-10-28 21:36:28
Performance: 
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
I love the smooth drive it gives. I love the stylish interior and exterior.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Customer Service is horrible!! I purchased a car from the dealership and a month later, it was in the shop. My CV joints were bad when they sold me my 2003 Hyundai Sonata. A month after that, my brakes went out along with the alternator. I truly believe the dealership didn't do any maintenance before selling the car.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
I am content with the car besides the minor things. Working on customer service and car service would be the best advice.
By greg
Submitted 2009-10-20 20:59:37
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
All the bells and whistles.
Like the USB port for flash drives.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Crappy radio. Not as intense. With all its features, Bose did a bad job representing.
Needs bigger tires.
Light suspension and touring aspect. Should be firmer.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Overall, for the all the features (the Limited), and the price. I recommend this car. Very comparable to Toyota and Honda. Great buy!!!
By sam
Submitted 2009-10-06 08:08:47
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
THE LOOK AND GREAT MILEAGE AND COMFORT, ALSO VERY ROOMY INTERIOR AND TRUNK SPACE. LOOKS LIKE I HAVE MONEY AND HEY I DON'T.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
THE 16 INCH. MX 4 TIRES TRULY ARE HORRIBLE TIRES (MICHELIN). FOR THAT LUXURY AUTOMOBILE YOU SHOULD AT LEAST BE SITTING ON SOME DURABLE REAL QUALITY TIRES.
ALSO SOUND SYSTEM IS A BIT WEAK AND GEAR SHIFT IS NOT AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. NOTE LESS STYLISH MORE ATTENTION TO OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING.
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Believe me, even though only 4 cylinder not enough power, hills and highway are o.k. Handling could be so much better. Keep working on it!
By Danny Olds
Submitted 2009-08-30 13:41:20
Performance: 
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Nice trunk.
Cons: How would you improve 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
I would make it so the cruise control does not kick the transmission out of overdrive on every very slight incline!
2009 Hyundai Sonata Review:
I purchased this car for touring and can not afford to use the cruise control because of the terrible fuel mileage it gets when using the cruise not to mention the shortening of the transmission life. I will hate this car until the day I can get rid of it.
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
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