2008 Hyundai Sonata Review – Affordable and Surprising
This year was a big year for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The fifth-generation model was completely redesigned, inside and out. And it paid off handsomely for Hyundai. The 2008 Sonata was met with rave reviews from critics and consumers alike, with many praising its stylish design, spacious interior, and impressive performance.
Even today, the 2008 Sonata remains a popular choice among used car shoppers. Thanks to its well-rounded package of features and excellent build quality, the 2008 Sonata continues to deliver good value even after nearly 15 years on the market.
If you’re looking to buy a nearly fifteen-year-old car that will still give you good gas mileage and reliability, you will have to put the 2008 Hyundai Sonata on your prospective list. The primary sources of customer reviews rate the car at ninety percent or higher satisfaction based on their ownership experience.
The glowing reviews on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata come with a severe engine failure warning in 26 vehicles from the 2008 model year but got progressively worse and peaked in the 2011 model year. Engine failures occurred at high mileage and required a $4000 engine replacement.
Interestingly when researching to see what’s out there in terms of problems I stumbled across CarComplaints and with a list of 52 complaints on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, most of them were about “Engine Seizures” which made up 50% of all complaints.
Let’s look at the 2008 Hyundai Sonata in more detail and look at what you can do to mitigate your risk when buying a fifteen-year-old pre-owned unit.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable ride quality Quality interior materials Spacious rear seating Spacious trunk Stability Control is standard feature Long Warranty Good value for money | Fuel economy on V6 was not great Steering feedback is poor Auto transmission is erratic in manual mode High mileage engine failures |
In this midsize car segment, the 2008 Hyundai Sonata is highly regarded for having good performance, a spacious and unrefined interior, and represents excellent value for money.
The Hyundai Sonata has grown from a midsize offering into a full-sized car competing with the class-leading Toyota Camry. This generation was launched in 2005 and impressed the car community with its attractive design, spacious interior, and excellent build quality.
A V6 powertrain fitted with a five-speed auto transmission is well powered in the family sedan segment.
Specification Table For the 2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited:
| Transmission | 5-speed shift automatic |
| Drive Type | Front wheel drive |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Combined MPG | 22 mpg |
| Total Seating | 5 |
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60,000 mi. |
| Drive Type | Front wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed shift automatic |
| Combined MPG | 22 mpg |
| EPA Mileage Est. (Cty/Hwy) | 19/28 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. |
| Range In Miles (Cty/Hwy) | 336.3/495.6 mi. |
| Base Engine Size | 3.3 L |
| Base Engine Type | Gas |
| Cam Type | DOHC |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Horsepower | 234 HP @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 226 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Valve Timing | Variable |
| Valves | 24 |
| Max Towing Capacity | 2,000 lbs. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.4 in. |
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Transmission | 5-speed shift automatic |
| Drive Type | Front wheel drive |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Combined MPG | 22 mpg |
| Total Seating | 5 |
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60,000 mi. |
| Drive Type | Front wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed shift automatic |
| Combined MPG | 22 mpg |
| EPA Mileage Est. (Cty/Hwy) | 19/28 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. |
| Fuel Type | Regular unleaded |
| Range In Miles (Cty/Hwy) | 336.3/495.6 mi. |
| Base Engine Size | 3.3 L |
| Base Engine Type | Gas |
| Cam Type | DOHC |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Horsepower | 234 HP @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 226 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Valve Timing | Variable |
| Valves | 24 |
| Max Towing Capacity | 2,000 lbs. |
| 2 Front Headrests | yes |
| 3 Rear Headrests | yes |
| Auto Delay Off Headlamps | yes |
| Child Seat Anchors | yes |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | yes |
| Dusk Sensing Headlamps | yes |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution | yes |
| Front And Rear Head Airbags | yes |
| Front Fog/Driving Lights | yes |
| Front Seatbelt Pre-tensioners | yes |
| Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System | yes |
| Stability Control | yes |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring | yes |
| Traction Control | yes |
| 4-Wheel ABS | yes |
| Emergency Braking Assist | yes |
| Emergency Interior Trunk Release | yes |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | yes |
| Passenger Head Restraint Whiplash Protection System | yes |
| Rear Center 3-Point Belt | yes |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | yes |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | yes |
| Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes | yes |
| 6 Total Speakers | yes |
| 80 Watts Stereo Output | yes |
| Element Antenna | yes |
| Satellite Radio Satellite Radio | yes |
| AM/FM Stereo | yes |
| Cruise Control | yes |
| Front And Rear Cup Holders | yes |
| Front Door Pockets | yes |
| Front Seatback Storage | yes |
| Overhead Console With Storage | yes |
| Remote Trunk Release | yes |
| Speed-Proportional Power Steering | yes |
| Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel | yes |
| 12V Cargo Area Power Outlet(S) | yes |
| Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel | yes |
| Front Reading Lights | yes |
| Interior Air Filtration | yes |
| Leather Steering Wheel | yes |
| Leather Trim On Shift Knob | yes |
| Simulated Wood Trim On Dash | yes |
| Trunk Light | yes |
| Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors | yes |
| Single Zone Front Air Conditioning | yes |
| 1 One-Touch Power Windows | yes |
| Remote Keyless Power Door Locks | yes |
| Heated Mirrors | yes |
| Power Mirrors | yes |
| Clock | yes |
| Low Fuel Level Warning | yes |
| Tachometer | yes |
| Trip Computer | yes |
| 4 -Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjustment | yes |
| 8 -Way Power Driver Seat | yes |
| Bucket Front Seats | yes |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | yes |
| Premium Cloth | yes |
| Driver Seat With Manual Adjustable Lumbar Support | yes |
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.4 in. |
The Sonata does well compared to Japanese rivals in the midsize sedan segment. The interior is so spacious that the EPA classified the car in the “Large Car” segment. Against rivals like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima, the Hyundai Sonata is a worthy competitor.
Some areas where the Sonata can be improved are the steering feedback which can be harsh on rough surfaces. The V6 powertrain does not boast lower fuel consumption than other six-cylinder models, but it is acceptable. The Hyundai Sonata does not feel as refined and full of tech gadgets as its competitors but is well worth consideration given the pricing.
What Are The 2008 Hyundai Sonata Highlights?
The Sonata is fitted standard with a four-cylinder engine with the V6 option on all models. The SE model is equipped with sporty tires, a powered driver seat adjustment, and a rear spoiler. The Limited edition has the Infinity sound system is standard.
The standard 2.4L four-cylinder generates 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque, which is capable of propelling the vehicle. Coupled with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, the SE model only comes fitted with the manual transmission, with the automatic being reserved for the GLS.
The optional 3.3L V6 generates 234 horsepower and 226 foot-pounds of torque paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
Safety features are standard across the models with Antilock Braking System (ABS), Stability Control (SC), front and full-length side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2008 Hyundai Sonata five out of five stars.
The Institute for Highway Safety crash tests conducted on the Hyundai Sonata earned the car a “Good” rating for the frontal offset protection and an “Acceptable” rating for the side-impact protection test. “Good” is the highest rating possible, and “Acceptable” is the second-highest rating.
The Hyundai engineers aimed to balance the ride and handling quality for the 2008 generation Hyundai Sonata but ended with a somewhat soft ride with unresponsive steering. The Sonata suspension copes well with speed bumps and cornering.
The Sonatas braking performance is impressive for the midsize sedan class stopping in less than 130 feet from 60 miles per hour. The interior noise is well dampened, making for a quiet interior.
The soft-touch surfaces and good quality finishes make the Hyundai Sonata interior quite stylish. The tilt-telescopic steering wheel allows for adjustment to fit every driver’s preference. The steering wheel is equipped with controls for the audio system and trip computer.
What Are The 2008 Hyundai Sonata Trim Levels?
The 2008 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim lines: GLS, SE, and Limited. The GLS comes standard with air-conditioning, full power accessories, a CD/MP3 player, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and keyless entry.
The SE model gains 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights, a telescoping function and audio controls for the steering wheel, leather and wood accents, a power driver seat, and a trip computer.
The top of the line Limited gains leather seats, front seat heaters, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, and a premium Infinity stereo with a six-disc CD changer. A sunroof is available on all trim levels, but technology-oriented items like Bluetooth connectivity and a factory-based navigation system are unavailable.
