2008 Hyundai Sonata SE 5MT
All photo credits
- Photo: Hyundai Sonata F24 NF Powder White Pearl (front) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2009 Hyundai Sonata GL in Natural Khaki, front right, 2024-09-29 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: HYUNDAI SONATA (NF) China (3) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Hyundai Sonata F24 NF Powder White Pearl (rear) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2009 Hyundai Sonata GL in Bright Silver, rear right, 2021-05-19 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2008 Hyundai Sonata SE 5MT is a 162-hp inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,245 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.
It makes 162 horsepower and 164 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).
The Sonata measures 188.9 inches long on a 107.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,458 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $19,245 ($29,051 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $19,895 ($30,032 *) |
| Destination Charge | $650 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Theta G4KC 2.4L DOHC inline-4, MPI, CVVT, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 162 hp |
| Torque | 164 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve with CVVT (intake) |
| Bore and Stroke | 88.0 x 97.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 21 MPG |
| Highway | 31 MPG |
| Combined | 25 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut with coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent multi-link with coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 4-wheel disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | 4-wheel disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 17 in alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 17 in alloy |
| Tires Front | 225/50VR17 |
| Tires Rear | 225/50VR17 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 188.9 in |
| Width | 72.1 in |
| Height | 58 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 in |
| Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,458 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 40.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 38.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 57.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.9 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.5 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.5 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2008 Hyundai Sonata SE 5MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai SONATA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 12, 2013 · SUSPENSION:REAR
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
NHTSA campaign 13V354000
Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
NHTSA campaign 13V113000
Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA campaign 09E012000
Apr 10, 2008 · AIR BAGS
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE OCS DOES NOT PROPERLY RECOGNIZE A PROPERLY SEATED ADULT OCCUPANT. AFTER VERIFICATION, DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AND SHIP IT TO AN EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA campaign 08V161000
Mar 7, 2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
NHTSA campaign 08E021000
425 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai SONATA
Owner Complaints
425 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai SONATA (19 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 137 |
| Visibility | 67 |
| Service Brakes | 55 |
| Engine | 48 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 30 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.