Overview & Reviews

Hyundai shuffles the Sonata's trim levels for the second year in a row, making the four-cylinder engine standard on all and the V6 optional across the board. The sporty Sonata SE gains performance tires, a rear spoiler and a power driver seat, while the upscale Limited receives an Infinity stereo as standard.

• Comfortable ride, quality interior materials, roomy backseat and trunk, standard stability control, lengthy warranty, impressive value.

• Subpar fuel economy with the V6, numb-feeling steering, automatic transmission fussy in manual mode.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 133.00

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  Warrenty about up and car falling apart - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By spencer_sc - August 23 - 11:25 am

  I really liked my car at first. It is coming up on 5 years old (warrenty about up) and has been to the dealer 3 times in the last 5 months. Twice for check engine lights and once for ignition problem. Twice I could not get the car to start. I thought I got a good deal but I am a little worried I will be spending a lot of money to fix soon. I would stay away from Hyundai and spend a little more to get a quality car.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By mr_keating - January 3 - 12:14 pm

  I purchased the 2008 Sonata GLS about three years ago. I immediately noticed a lag or hesitation when the trans shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. Came to find out that Sonatas have tranny issues, and have for years. Interior build quality is cheap. Lots of squeking from the plastic sections of the dash. Not a lot of pick-up at lower speeds, but does fairly well at highway speeds.

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  Buy a Ford - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By rotag - May 11 - 7:21 pm

  Bought this car with 16,000 miles in Jan 09 and a 08 Ford Fusion with 10,000 miles in Feb 09. Both have 45k now and the Fusion hasnt had one issue, zero. the Hyundai has had so many issues I cant mention them all here. Additionally, I caught the dealer ripping me off. Hyundai corporate is terrible and doesnt care. Had issue with fuel tank where after the pump would shut off when filling the tank with gas it would "burp" and spit up gas...took 7 trips to the dealership to fix. Have replaced all 4 tires and all 4 brakes...again no issues with Ford. The only saving grace is the repairs are covered under warranty although Id rather have a call without a warranty that wont break.

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  Over-rated - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Stapleford - September 15 - 6:45 pm

  My 08 has several issues, and all seem common with my fellow owner. Loose molding strips, a failed oxygen sensor, failed tire pressure lights. The warranty is attractive, but read the small print, I was disappointed with a transmission issue. This car looks nice but is sluggish around 30- 40mph. It really should not be compared to a Accord or Camry,, unless of course you can measure intangible issues with the cost savings. It does not have the re-sale value associated with Japanese vehicles.

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  Warranty is not as good as I thought - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ed - June 30 - 12:30 am

  The car seemed OK and when I drove it for a while I got home and looked under the hood. Most of the fluids where not at the proper level. I topped them myself rather than drive 40 miles back. The engine luggs at 40 MPH when in top gear. Suspension handles bumps in a way that feels odd like the tires are bouncing over the bumps. The dealer claims an oil change is needed every 3000 miles and the company backs this up but when I first got the car they said 3000 only for severe use. Now they say everything in the US is severe. I had 2 mechanical problems with a tire pressure detector malfunction and a brake problem. Their "best warranty" did not cover anything.

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  Squeaks & Groans! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By burt - February 21 - 10:02 am

  This car is built very cheaply. The interior plastic surfaces squeak, and the front suspension has a really annoying squeak/rattle. The interior lights dont come on when you remove the ignition key. The switches on the door (lock/unlock, windows, etc.) are not illuminated. The ignition key ring taps against the dash board when driving. The Infinity sound systems subwoofer is mounted in the cardboard deck behind the rear seats and creates an annoying distortion even at low volume.

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  Rattle and Roll - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shoddy Sonata - November 29 - 4:56 pm

  Car has been driven 3200 miles and developed many creaks and groans in the front windshield area when driving across bumps and road imperfections. Ignition key design is such that key ring slaps constantly against dash board when driving, very annoying!

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  BAD Choice - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By New Owner - January 1 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car, after reading all the good things about it online, Plus good features and support. But after owning it from last 3 months, i feel it was a bad, Bad, BAD decision and i should have gone for Camry. The Vehicle has very high inside noise (No aerodynamics at all), Cold start is really really BAD and noisy. At just 5000 miles, it has started to have some vibration noise, Passenger side air bag OFF sign remains off even when person of 100+ LB sits on it, suspension is not very helpful in rough roads, sometime you literally feel like pushing engine to the full capacity, Driving is no fun, AM radio is not very clear. Never gonna buy anything from Hyundai EVER.