With many of its features revamped and restyled, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata likely will be a popular car choice this year.
Ranging in price from about $18,795 to $26,345, the Sonata is affordable yet sophisticated. And buyers can choose from among the GLS, the sporty SE and the luxurious Limited models for the car that best suits their individual needs.
“You’d expect that all of these changes and new content would lead to startling new price points for the Sonata,” said John Krafcik, vice president of product development and strategic planning for Hyundai Motor America in Hyundai News. “But that’s not Hyundai’s business model.”
Already the Sonata is turning heads — it won the Interior of the Year award from Ward’s Auto World Magazine.
Hyundai’s focus was to design a high-end interior that sets the car above its competitors in the large car market — and do so without increasing the price for the buyer.
But there’s much more to the Sonata than just the inside. Strides to make the Sonata more environmentally friendly have resulted in better fuel economy — up to 22 miles per gallon in the city and up to 32 for highway driving.
According to a press release from Hyundai, the company expects to receive the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s five-star crash test rating for both front and side impacts for the new and improved Sonata.
BREAKOUT
Sonata
Starts at $18,795
Engine 2.4-liter inline V-4
MPG 32 highway, 22 city
Features Tire pressure monitoring system, iPod®/USB and auxiliary input jacks
SIDEBAR
Accent
$13,500
The 2008 Accent can get up to 33 miles per gallon reducing both emissions and the money spent on gas. Hyundai has produced a car that is efficient and affordable without sacrificing safety or luxury features.
Genesis
Starts at $32,000
The 2009 Genesis comes with either a 4.6 liter V8 engine or a 3.8L V6 and features a 17-speaker Lexicon soundsystem. It also has DVD, iPod, XM Radio, Bluetooth and navigational capabilities.
author: By Brianna Bishop