2008 Hyundai Sonata User Reviews

I-win — I've owned this car now for nearly two years, bought it brand new. The major problems with it during that time have both been limited to two things and both happened during the cold (-10 f) degree winters it endures. The transmission needed to be replaced (Warranty covered) and the car would not allow me to turn the key (passenger seat belt monitor). Performance wise, it's crap under 3000 RPM. It hits it's prime at about 4000-4500. This car is brilliant at accelerating 55-80. From 35-55 the car leaves something to be desired however. This is mainly all because of it's 4-speed transmission, as the dealer had no 5-speeds at the time I bought it. I am not in Love with the interior style. The dials and controls all glow lime green, which while alright is not my favorite. The new 2009 / 2010 models have a great looking blue, though Hyundai also made them cheaper leaving out several features that are on this car. The features left out on ALL 2010 Sonatas are: the ability to unhook the middle rear seatbelt for folding down the seat. The ability to slide a hidden piece of the sun visor out behind the 3rd mirror. The ever convenient storage nook on the left of the steering wheel. is absent in the '10. Also there is no way to cover the cup holds in the front. There is an poorly places 120V adapter in the '09 & '10 because it is in the way of the shifter. There is a problem with the storage directly infront of the shifter because if you store things in it, they could fall into the bottom of the container, nearly impossible to get out. Go with the V6, you might lose up to 2 MPG and it's much quicker. The 3.3 V6 from Hyundai is a fantastic engine. The 2.4 L I4 is a Lovely engine also, but it's murdered by the 4-speed. The '09 and '10 have a 5 speed standard.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

Great Car, Great Performance. — Its a great car but my mom drives it more that I do so it wouldn't be my first choice. The gas mileage isn't too bad. It it very fun to drive. I don't think that it has many problems other than a few blind spots but all cars have those. It handles well and you don't even notice the acceleration at all. Great car.

Primary Use: Family transportation

Very Reliabel Nondescript Four Door — As stated the size and fuel economy. Very comfortable on the highway and gets above 30 mpg. The manual transmission is not suited for the clutch and size of the car. Purchase price was a steal. Has been 100% reliable.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

Best Looking Sonata Ever — Build Quality: had to get the rims repaired because the roads are so bad round hear Car Comparisons: looked at mazdas and fords got major discount and the car is solid dont feel like made of tin Performance: its a great car very comfortable plenty of room not many gadgets but dosnt feel plasticky More About My Car: love the xm radio lo

An Alright Car, Overshadowed By The Face-lifted Version — The 2008 Sonata is an alright car. This is a much better car than either the Accent or Elantra. The problem I have with it is that its bland. The 4-cylinder moves the car alright. The handling is alright nothing special. In terms of performance its actually decent. The interior is very similarly designed like the Elantra's and thus looks very similar to that car's interior. The problem with that interior is it looks very bland and uninteresting. Otherwise there is little fault to it. The car has no reliability faults and its rather inexpensive for a mostly fully loaded mid sized car. This car does have one big problem, the 2009 Sonata is far better than this version and I consider this one not worth the money after driving that one.