2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots

CaymanS · 02-11-2007, 12:25 AM

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B1.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B2.jpg

Quote:

The current generation Sonata has been a huge success for Hyundai. It showcases Hyundai's turning point in market approach. It was designed mainly for North American consumers. It is also the first model to be assembled in Hyundai's state-of-the-art Montgomery, Alabama manufacturing plant.

To keep the Sonata to date, Hyundai will soon release the refreshed version. Although, news of the update was fairly quiet, these recent spy pictures of the facelifted Sonata mule shows us Hyundai wants to play the game right.

A new front end with more chrome is visible. Rear, albeit vaguely, shows LED-strip taillights found on the Azera. A new interior is also expected to be in the works with better quality and materials. A 6-speed automatic transmission is also speculated to be standard in the V6 trims. Release dates and pricing have not been announced yet, but sources say it could be released to its home market as early as this summer.

Before anyone says this is just a Honda Accord copy, the design of the Sonata was finalized and frozen long before the Accord had debuted. There was no chance for the Sonata to copy or even influence from the Accord.

http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/20...ai-sonata.html

Edited- Thanks FordRules.

Strapping.Young.Lad · 02-11-2007, 12:26 AM

First two pics dont work.

CaymanS · 02-11-2007, 12:30 AM

Sorry about the problem. Blogger's image hosting service needs some work. The images can be seen on the link which is the only resource available for now.

Strapping.Young.Lad · 02-11-2007, 01:08 AM

Here Mazda5:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B1.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B2.jpg

EldoFan · 02-11-2007, 12:56 PM

I don't see how this looks like an Accord copy/clone.......

To me, it looks slightly more agressive....which may or may not be good, who knows?

At least from a design standpoint, this Sonata seems to be breaking away from the bland 'me-too' styling that has characterized many asian mid-sizers (mainly Toyondas) of the recent past.....

asim · 02-11-2007, 06:40 PM

I think I saw some spy interior pictures of the new interior about a year ago. Too bad I can't find them.

likearock00 · 02-11-2007, 06:44 PM

I think I'm gonna need a better view of this thing without so much cladding before I am willing to comment on it!

AdmiralViscen · 02-13-2007, 11:24 AM

That was quick. But it makes sense, the Accord refresh made their car look old as soon as it hit lots.

As for it being a "great success," it has tons of incentives on it and I think some fleet sales too.

**mgescuro** · 02-13-2007, 12:42 PM

Umm... I don't see ANY Accord in that design. Not as nice as Azera.

Sal Collaziano · 02-13-2007, 01:19 PM

I think I like the looks of the Sonata better than the Azera.. The Azera never really caught-on for me. It's just nothing "special" (to me) like the XG series was. THAT was unique. The Azera looks too "familiar"...

HoeyHimself · 02-13-2007, 01:20 PM

Well there HAS to be some design ripoff here...it's Hyundai...it's part of their guarantee.

Michael_S · 02-13-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

I think I like the looks of the Sonata better than the Azera.. The Azera never really caught-on for me. It's just nothing "special" (to me) like the XG series was. THAT was unique. The Azera looks too "familiar"...

Discounting looks, the Azera is tremendously improved versus the XG350: 68 more horsepower, all airbags standard, traction control, stability control, bigger wheels, more interior room, similar fuel economy.

Counting looks, I agree - the XG350 was conservative but classy on the outside. The Azera's curves just look goofy.

CrunkedRL · 02-13-2007, 02:04 PM

Those photos revealed next to nothing about the 08' Sonata. The only thing I seen that changed were the wheels. My guess is that the front fascia especially the headlights are going to be more rounded off like the Sante Fe.

Sal Collaziano · 02-13-2007, 02:18 PM

As far as I can tell Hyundai has always had their own unique designs - besides the Excel being made along side the Mitsubishi whatever that was - years ago.

The first Hyundai that looked similar to anything else, in my opinion, was the Sonata of a few years ago - which looked just like a Jaguar. Then the next version looked like an Accord.. I think their small crossover SUV looks like the Lexus RX as well. Otherwise - I've always thought them to be fairly unique..

What does the Elantra look like? The Tiburon? The Accent? The XG?.....

Sal Collaziano · 02-13-2007, 02:19 PM

Yes, I test drove it and was impressed with the ride, power and interior amenities.. It's a great car for the money - just like all Hyundais.. I'm just disappointed with the exterior...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Discounting looks, the Azera is tremendously improved versus the XG350: 68 more horsepower, all airbags standard, traction control, stability control, bigger wheels, more interior room, similar fuel economy.

Counting looks, I agree - the XG350 was conservative but classy on the outside. The Azera's curves just look goofy.

02-11-2007, 12:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Strapping.Young.Lad 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Drives: 1982 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Diesel W/ 4" Lift kit Posts: 6,893	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots First two pics dont work. __________________ 1982 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4, 6.2L Detroit Diesel. Dana 44 Front end, GM 14B Semi Floater Rear, Lifted 4", 33" BFG Mud Terrains It Eats Tundras, Titans and Ridgelines for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Formerly Known As: FordRules

02-11-2007, 12:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
CaymanS 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2006 Mazda5 2006 Honda Civic Coupe Posts: 443	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots Sorry about the problem. Blogger's image hosting service needs some work. The images can be seen on the link which is the only resource available for now. __________________

02-11-2007, 01:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Strapping.Young.Lad 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Drives: 1982 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Diesel W/ 4" Lift kit Posts: 6,893	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots Here Mazda5: http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B1.jpg http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...ata2BFL2B2.jpg __________________ 1982 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4, 6.2L Detroit Diesel. Dana 44 Front end, GM 14B Semi Floater Rear, Lifted 4", 33" BFG Mud Terrains It Eats Tundras, Titans and Ridgelines for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Formerly Known As: FordRules

02-11-2007, 12:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
EldoFan 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Omaha Nebraska, USA Drives: '08 Malibu LT '94 Plymouth Voyager Posts: 4,887	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots I don't see how this looks like an Accord copy/clone....... To me, it looks slightly more agressive....which may or may not be good, who knows? At least from a design standpoint, this Sonata seems to be breaking away from the bland 'me-too' styling that has characterized many asian mid-sizers (mainly Toyondas) of the recent past.....

02-11-2007, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,271	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots I think I saw some spy interior pictures of the new interior about a year ago. Too bad I can't find them. __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

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02-11-2007, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
likearock00 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Drives: 2006 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z-71 Posts: 7,890	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots I think I'm gonna need a better view of this thing without so much cladding before I am willing to comment on it! __________________ Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies. -Thomas Jefferson

02-13-2007, 11:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
AdmiralViscen 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Posts: 7,501	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots That was quick. But it makes sense, the Accord refresh made their car look old as soon as it hit lots. As for it being a "great success," it has tons of incentives on it and I think some fleet sales too. __________________ God Bless the Blue Bullet.

02-13-2007, 12:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
mgescuro GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 24,405	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots Umm... I don't see ANY Accord in that design. Not as nice as Azera. __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... My Vision of Cadillac My Vision of Cadillac (REDUX)

02-13-2007, 01:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sal Collaziano 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Drives: 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007 Chrysler 300C Posts: 2,143	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots I think I like the looks of the Sonata better than the Azera.. The Azera never really caught-on for me. It's just nothing "special" (to me) like the XG series was. THAT was unique. The Azera looks too "familiar"... __________________ --> Millions of car and truck videos! --> allcarvideos.com __________________ Cadillac Magazine / Buick / Pontiac / Hyundai Genesis / Chevy

02-13-2007, 01:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
HoeyHimself 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, Mi Drives: 2003 Ford Mustang Posts: 4,536	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots Well there HAS to be some design ripoff here...it's Hyundai...it's part of their guarantee. __________________

02-13-2007, 02:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
CrunkedRL 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Columbus,OH Drives: 1998 Saturn SL2 2004 Saturn Vue RL Posts: 1,194	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots Those photos revealed next to nothing about the 08' Sonata. The only thing I seen that changed were the wheels. My guess is that the front fascia especially the headlights are going to be more rounded off like the Sante Fe. __________________ Current Fleet: 04' Saturn Vue RL 3.5L Honda V6 98' Saturn SL2 1.9L 16 Valve DOHC I4

02-13-2007, 02:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sal Collaziano 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Drives: 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007 Chrysler 300C Posts: 2,143	Re: 2008 Hyundai Sonata Spyshots As far as I can tell Hyundai has always had their own unique designs - besides the Excel being made along side the Mitsubishi whatever that was - years ago. The first Hyundai that looked similar to anything else, in my opinion, was the Sonata of a few years ago - which looked just like a Jaguar. Then the next version looked like an Accord.. I think their small crossover SUV looks like the Lexus RX as well. Otherwise - I've always thought them to be fairly unique.. What does the Elantra look like? The Tiburon? The Accent? The XG?..... __________________ --> Millions of car and truck videos! --> allcarvideos.com __________________ Cadillac Magazine / Buick / Pontiac / Hyundai Genesis / Chevy

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