2009 Sonata Takes On New Malibu

[jcgable]

http://news.windingroad.com/body-sty...r-is-a-winner/

Full article (Quite short) Below:

Hyundai Believes 2009 Sonata Interior is a Winner



Hyundai vice president of product development John Krafcik thinks that his company has done a pretty good job of creating competitive interiors for its cars, but knows that the game can be moved on still further. Speaking about the current Hyundai Sonata, Krafcik said, “The interior was pretty darn good, but it wasn’t outstanding.”
That desire to move up is one reason the Hyundai brass are so excited to see the reaction to the debut of the 2009 Sonata next month at the Chicago Auto Show.


Krafcik recently told reporters that the new car’s interior (pictured above in Korean spec) is “fantastic in terms of quality of materials, fit and finish and overall design.”
He’s so confident of the new Sonata’s look in fact, that he would have no problem pitting the base model car against a top-end Chevrolet Malibu; a car that has been receiving nothing but praise since its launch. “I think we’d come out ahead,” Krafcik said of the comparison.
We’ve certainly been enthused with the newest members of Hyundai’s lineup, and can’t wait for the Chicago show to put Krafcik’s confidence to the test.

I know that they didn't quite say they wanted to take on the Malibu, but their recognition of its recent success is nice to see. I am getting the impression their comment about the base Sonata besting the Malibu LTZ is more about them hyping the new sonata and less about them dissing GM.

[coaster.n3rd]

It looks solid, but the over design screams boring. Needs more flare and needs to look less like a Camry/Avalon.

[Joevette]

it looks like the last gen honda accord interior

[Koasterking]

Sad to see the Sonata have Navigation and the Malibu, G6 and Aura not.

It's a nice interior, but borrows too much from Toyota.

[jzchev28]

its nice, i'd still give the nod to the malibu anyday.

[CobaltSScrazy]

reminds me of an older Lexus GS/ES interior...

I HIGHLY doubt it raises the bar on quality of materials, won't have higher build quality, and design is forgettable but nice, i guess.

CobaltSScrazy

[Quickening]

Just like it smackdown'd the mid-size market when it was first introduced? O right...

Still looks like a generation old Accord with a bubble front and bubble butt. And hello Toyota/Lexus interior.

[Bravada]

As usual, they are trailing the market by half a generation - this resembles the current Camry and Avalon, with hints of some other 2006 introductions (find elements modelled after GM vehicles for extra points ) - and the usual Hyundai cheapness (radio unit, the awful carryover wheel!)

Seems like the quality revolution heralded by the i30/Cee'd doesn't extend to the midsize class...

[mcool]

Toyota called, they want their interior back.

[pete4280]

Is there going to be any changes to their powertrain?

[BrickTamland]

I think it looks mighty nice.

[montrealvue]

The Sonata has been a solid competitor in the last decade, Hyundai is seriously pushing the envelope. If I were in the market for a family sedan, the Sonata would be high on my list.

[BigAls87Z28]

in all honesty...it looked like someone melted the STS's interior. Very similar pattern.

[jcgable]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

The Sonata has been a solid competitor in the last decade, Hyundai is seriously pushing the envelope. If I were in the market for a family sedan, the Sonata would be high on my list.

I AM in the market. Right now I'm looking to buy a nice and inexpensive car to get me through the rest of college, and a post rental 1-2yr old mid-size sedan fits the bill. At the moment the competitors are the G6, Aura, and Sonata. All three have been shipped heavily to rental fleets (sad but true) and have had massive depreciation-making it a steal to buy. I would obviously rather buy the sportier G6, but the Aura's better interior and the Sonata's engine (a much smoother DOHC engine) are making it a tough decision. In the end, it is going to be based off of what features I can buy for my money.

[FenwickHockey65]

It looks nice, but the instrument panel is nothing compared to the Malibu's.