Video: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

For 2009, the cars received a number of significant updates, including a revised interior. Even though the 2009 Sonata looks a lot like its predecessor, it does have a number of new exterior features including new headlights, a new grill and a new front bumper. And you can see on this limited trim level here, it has chrome trim strips on the front and the sides, and also 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Sonata's available with a four cylinder or a V6 engine, but the four cylinder is probably gonna generate more interest nowadays with gas prices above $4 a gallon in many places. Unfortunately, gas mileage is a high point of the engine. It gets 20 to 32 miles per gallon, city highway with the automatic transmission. And it also makes more power for the 2009 model year and is now rated at 175 horsepower. The previous Sonata's interior came up short to competitors like the Honda Accord, but with the redesigned 2009 Sonata, Hyundai's done a nice job of addressing those issues and coming out with a cabin design that's really with the best in the class. You can see here that the aesthetic appeal has really been improved just with the layout of the buttons and controls. It features high quality materials and fit and finish is really good as well. Hyundai's gone to this blue backlit design for its displays and also for its trip computer, which is kind of interesting. You don't see that a lot. But it seems to work okay. And it also comes now with a standard USB port for plugging in an iPod, if you have one, or it also includes an auxiliary jack, if you just have a traditional MP3 player. The Sonata has good backseat space, like a lot of its competitors, it's pretty large for an adult person. And in this limited model, you have standard leather upholstery as well. The Sonata's trunk measures 16.3 cubic feet and this space is larger than what you'll find in an Accord, Camry or Chevy Malibu. And just as important as that, for the most part, the space is pretty unobstructed. There's nothing that's gonna catch your luggage except for this one speaker that hangs down, but you see the struts for the trunk lid are outside of it. So they don't dip down into it. And the lift over height is also pretty low. So it's easy to grab a bag, just set it inside. The Sonata also comes standard with a 60-40 split folding rear seat. So if you need more space, you can fold down the back seats. There is, however, a pretty substantial ledge between the cargo area and the folded portion of the back seats. Hyundai addressed what it had to with the 2009 Sonata, making it more competitive in one of the most competitive segments of the market. It's still a good value though, as it offers a number of standard safety and comfort features. And that fact, along with it's good gas mileage and long warranty, should make it an appealing option for buyers looking to make their dollars go further. <v Narrator>For additional information on this car or any other, go to cars.com and our blog, KickingTires.