The 2008 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim levels. A 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine comes standard, a 234-hp V6 is optional. The four-cylinder is available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission. The V6 comes with a five-speed Shiftronic automatic.
Sonata GLS ($17,670) is the base model. It comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, power heated outside mirrors, power windows, central locking with keyless remote, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, XM Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, 60/40 folding rear seat, and 215/60R16 tires on 16-inch steel wheels. The four-cylinder automatic ($18,870) and V6 automatic ($21,120) are similarly equipped.
The Popular Equipment Package ($650) adds automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, upgraded interior accents, power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer. The same package is available with a power tilt-and-slide sunroof ($1,550).
Sonata SE ($19,570) comes with larger disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 215/55R17 all season performance tires, eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, leather-wrapped shift knob, tilt-and-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, solar-control glass, fog lights, automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, and a trip computer. The four-cylinder SE only comes with the manual transmission; the SE V6 ($22,220) comes with the automatic.
The Premium Package ($1,650) for either SE adds an Infinity AM/FM/XM/6CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier; power tilt-and-slide sunroof; and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink and a compass.
The Limited ($22,470) features leather seating surfaces, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, automatic climate control with filtration, electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink and compass, telescoping steering wheel, and a sliding center armrest. A chrome center-bar grille, chrome-accented exterior door handles, and new aluminum bodyside moldings identify Limited from the outside. Wheels and tires are the same size as those on the SE, but use a different tread pattern. For 2008, the Infinity AM/FM/XM/6CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier is also standard. The Limited V6 ($24,170) is similarly equipped. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof ($900) is optional.
Safety features on all Sonatas include the mandatory dual-stage front-seat airbags; front-seat side-impact airbags for torso protection; and full-coverage side curtain airbags designed to provide head protection. Antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control also come standard, as does a tire-pressure monitor.