4th Place: 2008 Hyundai Sonata

Overview:

With the 2009 update already on sale, the 2008 Sonata is a lame duck. But as long as both are on the lots, the 2008 will be an incredible deal. It's well-equipped, but undercuts the next cheapest car in the group -- the rear-finishing Pontiac Grand Prix -- by some $1,300, and undercuts the nicer 2009 version by $2,800. And as lame ducks go, it's a nice one. It's roomy, powerful, comfortable, and quiet. It has a nice enough interior, handles safely, and did well in crash tests. It doesn't offer a full-blown luxury experience, but loaded with all the options it does a more convincing impression of premium than many of the pricier cars in this group. At under $22,000, it would be doing a tremendous disservice to yourself to buy another family sedan without at least giving it a try.

Driving the 2008 Sonata:

The Sonata has a soft, comfortable, and generally absorbent ride. Some bumps register more sharply than on some competitors and on base-model Sonatas with smaller wheels, however. The car handles well enough, but it does not try to be sporty. "Safe" comes to mind far before "sharp" or "engaging." The V6 is smooth and powerful engine. The car is quiet, but there could be a bit less road noise. The 2009 model gets higher gas mileage than this 2008, but it's still among the best in the group.

Inside the 2008 Sonata:

Inside, the Sonata’s front seats are high, well-shaped, supportive, and quite comfortable. The rear is very roomy, and the seat is high and well-shaped there as well. The interior is well-assembled using high-quality materials, but lacks opulence, coming off as more serviceable and pleasant than luxurious. The gauges are clear, and the instruments are well-placed and easy to use. Drivers sit comfortably, and visibility is excellent, thanks to high seating and large windows with narrow roof pillars. The high roof, wide door openings, and large rear footwells contribute to very easy entry/exit. The trunk is roomy and well-shaped.

2008 Sonata pricing:

Dealers are clearing their remaining 2008 Sonata inventory to make way for more 2009s. This leaves a well-equipped Sonata easily selling more than $4,000 below an already low sticker price. The $21,552 model reviewed here comes with active head restraints in addition to the group's expected features.

Conclusion:

The 2008 Sonata is a very pleasant, practical car that feels almost premium in its loaded, top-of-the-line guise. But the key word is almost. Unlike the 2009 model, which is smoother-riding and quieter, and has a much nicer interior, the 2008 Sonata is simply a highly capable family car that sells with luxury equipment at a fantastic price. Some may not be satisfied with the level of luxury it provides, but others will. Make sure to find out which camp you fall into before shelling out $6,000 or more extra for a comparably-equipped competitor.

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