The 2009 Hyundai Sonata: Interior Of The Year Award
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata was named an “Interior of the Year” award winner in the category of “Best Redesign” at the annual “Automotive Interior of the Year Awards” conducted by Ward’s Auto World magazine.
“This award is particularly gratifying for our team, who started with a world-class car, listened to customer feedback telling us they wanted an improved interior, and went to work to make the 2009 Hyundai Sonata stand up and stand out against every other car in its class,” said Dan Vivian, Hyundai Motor America’s director of Design Engineering.
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata redesign was led by the team at Hyundai’s America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) in Superior Township, Mich. HATCI’s role is to design, develop and test Hyundai products sold in North America. The 2009 Sonata was the first Hyundai product program led by the team in North America. “The focus of the redesign of the 2009 Sonata was on the interior, where Hyundai’s designers re-crafted the cabin area to create an upscale ambience for the driver and passengers,” the company said in its description of the work that led to the Ward’s honor.
The new instrument panel borrows design cues and rich materials from the premium Hyundai Veracruz crossover utility vehicle, the automaker said.
“We were inspired by the beautiful forms of the interior in the Veracruz and challenged to deliver comparable design execution in the mainstream Sonata,” said Chris Zarlenga, chief of the Michigan design studio. “Great design does not have to cost a great deal of money to the company or the customer.” [Source: Hyundai]
June 21st, 2008 at 2:39 am
I really like the revised ’09 Sonata, especially the interior. I realize that this car is much improved over the ’06 Model.
Curiously, one of the features missing from the ’09, specifically the Limited, is a manual rear window sun-shade, which I thought would have filled out the features list on the Limited model rather nicely. Interestingly,the Kia Optima LX, which cost at least $3k less than a fully optioned limited, has a manual rear window sun-shade. And incidentally, so does the KDM Sonata.
For the full all new re-design model year, 2010, I would think that this would become standard fare. My forecast is htat for the first Hyundai’s standard engine will be the new 2.2 4cyl Hybrid, est hp to be 200 or 210, EPA est MPG Cty 35 to Hwy 45. Improved Standard steering wheel controls: HD Radio/Satelite pwr on/off;Scan up/down stations, including scan up/down and station memory pre-sets;
The options list packages for the 2010, should offer the following:
Six speed Automatic transmission
Optional 3.5/3.6 V6 278 hp Hybrid EPA Estimate 33 – 41
Rear park assist,
Navigation with rear back-up camera,
Microsoft enabled Blue-Tooth communication technology, Driver side memory seats,
Electroluminescent instrument cluster
Auto Express up/down driver/passenger windows,
Perforated leather seating surfaces
Auto Express open/close power moon roof
Rain sensing windshield wipers
Premium Infinity® audio w/in-dash 6-disc DVD/CD Ipod/USB
Side folding mirrors with signal lamps
Rear LED tail lamps
Keyless entry w/engine immobilizer
Push button start
Driver side door touch entry
These are my wish list for Sonata which is moving upscale yet is still a great value compared to the established leaders.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:21 am
I just bought an ’09 Sonata. I had shopped around a few dealerships looking at a variety of models. Everytime I asked about HD Radio, nobody had any idea what I was talking about.
Is there a preferred make/model of HD Radio for the Sonata?
September 7th, 2009 at 6:40 am
I looked at Honda and went with a 2009 Sonata GLS. I feel I was getting a better car for my money. The car seems to keep out road noise better and really all the Honda sales rep could say “It’s a Honda.” With cash rebates and warranties I feel I did better with this car.
I got sunroof, Bluetooh, iPod connect, etc. Unlike my Chevy Cobalt everything seems to fit like it should.
My first foreign car. My last General Motors vehicle. I hate to say that but I want value for my money. GM just doesn’t have anything for me anymore and probably never will.