Verdict
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 is the clear new-versus-outgoing step up if the RM50,620 price gap is within reach. Its 2.5-litre petrol four makes 177 hp and 232 Nm, against the LF’s 152 hp and 194 Nm, while six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and an around-view monitor address major shortcomings in the older car. The DN8 is also 45 mm longer on a 35 mm longer wheelbase, yet retains the same 510-litre boot and 70-litre tank. The LF still makes sense as the lower-cost route into a D-segment Sonata, especially with its 5-year/300,000 km warranty and first-owner powertrain cover.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata LF if RM139,268, lower RM380 annual road tax and a 12-way power driver’s seat matter more than newer safety and cabin tech.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata DN8 if you want 177 hp, six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and the 8.0-inch Apple CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Sonata LF RM139,268; Hyundai Sonata DN8 RM189,888.
- Engine output: LF 152 hp/194 Nm from 1,999 cc; DN8 177 hp/232 Nm from 2,497 cc.
- Safety: LF has 2 airbags; DN8 has 6 airbags plus blind-spot information and tyre-pressure monitoring.
- Dimensions: LF is 4,855 mm long with a 2,805 mm wheelbase; DN8 is 4,900 mm long with a 2,840 mm wheelbase.
- Wheels and tyres: LF uses 17-inch alloys with 215/55R17 tyres; DN8 gets 18-inch alloys with 235/45R18 tyres.
- Road tax: LF costs RM380 per year; DN8 costs RM877 per year.
LF
- RM50,620 cheaper to buy.
- Lower RM380 annual road tax.
- 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Only two airbags, against the DN8’s six.
- Less power and torque: 152 hp and 194 Nm versus 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- No blind-spot information system, front parking sensors or reverse camera.
DN8
- 177 hp and 232 Nm from the 2.5-litre engine.
- Six airbags, blind-spot information and tyre-pressure monitoring.
- 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus around-view monitor.
- Costs RM50,620 more to buy.
- RM877 annual road tax is RM497 higher.
- Driver’s seat has 10-way adjustment rather than the LF’s 12-way adjustment.
What the LF has over the DN8
What the DN8 has over the LF
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM139,268✓ | RM189,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM877 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,420/mo✓ | RM1,940/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,934✓ | RM5,284 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,144 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM15.72 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM37,289 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 152 hp at 6,200 rpm | 177 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 194 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 232 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 97 mm | 88.5 mm × 101.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 6 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.1 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | — |
| Co2 | 184 g/km | —✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,855 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,475 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm | 2,840 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,448 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 17" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Kinergy GT | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Amplitude Selective Damper (A.S.D) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot View Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat | 10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, 4-Way Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry with Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Operation | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with Around View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Foot-operated | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | 3.5" OLED Meter Cluster | Wireless Qi Charger with Cooling Function, Head-up Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km | 300,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/300,000 km Powertrain (Engine and Gearbox) Warranty for First Owner Only | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
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LF vs DN8 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata LF or Hyundai Sonata DN8 better?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 is better equipped and more powerful, with 177 hp, six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and an around-view monitor. Choose the LF only if its much lower purchase price and RM380 road tax outweigh those gains.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 costs RM50,620 more: RM189,888 versus RM139,268 for the Hyundai Sonata LF. Its annual road tax is also RM497 higher, at RM877 versus RM380.
Which Sonata has the better safety equipment?
The DN8 has the stronger safety kit: six airbags, blind-spot information, blind-spot view monitoring and tyre-pressure monitoring. The LF has two airbags, although both cars have ABS/EBD, stability control, ISOFIX and hill-start assist.