Verdict
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 is the proper step up in daily usability: its 2.5-litre petrol engine makes 177 hp and 232 Nm against the YF Facelift’s 160 hp and 194 Nm, while its boot grows from 463 to 510 litres. Malaysian running costs matter, though, as annual road tax rises from RM380 to RM877. The YF retains the same 70-litre tank, six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive layout and MacPherson/multi-link suspension, but two front airbags and halogen projectors leave it well behind the newer car for safety and cabin technology.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata YF Facelift if a far lower entry cost and RM380 annual road tax matter more than newer safety and convenience equipment.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata DN8 if you want 177 hp, a 510-litre boot, six airbags and modern cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM133,853 for the YF Facelift versus RM189,888 for the DN8.
- Engine output: 1,999 cc, 160 hp and 194 Nm versus 2,497 cc, 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Road tax: RM380 per year versus RM877 per year.
- Dimensions and boot: 4,820 mm length, 2,795 mm wheelbase and 463 litres versus 4,900 mm, 2,840 mm and 510 litres.
- Airbags: driver and front passenger airbags versus driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags.
- Cabin and parking: manual air-con, manual front seats and rear sensors versus dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, front sensors and an…
YF Facelift
- Lower RM133,853 purchase price
- RM380 annual road tax
- Front foglamps and Tiptronic control
- 160 hp and 194 Nm trail the DN8's 177 hp and 232 Nm
- Only driver and front passenger airbags
- No blind spot information system, reverse camera or around-view monitor
DN8
- 177 hp and 232 Nm from its 2.5-litre engine
- 510-litre boot with a longer 2,840 mm wheelbase
- Side and curtain airbags, blind spot monitoring and LED headlamps
- Costs RM56,035 more to buy
- RM877 annual road tax is RM497 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM133,853✓ | RM189,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM877 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with variable intake and exhaust valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 160 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 194 Nm | 232 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic with Shiftronic | 6 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,900 mm |
| Width | 1,835 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,470 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,795 mm | 2,840 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,448 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 463 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | — | 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) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — Hyundai i45 with 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | 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 | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjust | 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 | Manual Air-Con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 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 |
| Sun Shade | Sunvisor with Illuminated Vanity Mirror | — |
| Audio | Integrated Radio with CD/WMA/MP3 playback, AUX-in, USB, iPod Connectivity and 6 Speakers | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Remote Control 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 | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 |
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.
Used cars for sale
YF Facelift vs DN8 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata YF Facelift or Hyundai Sonata DN8 better?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 is better for most buyers. It has more power, a 510-litre boot, additional side and curtain airbags, blind spot monitoring, an around-view monitor and dual-zone climate control. The YF Facelift makes sense chiefly on budget.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 costs RM56,035 more than the Hyundai Sonata YF Facelift.
Which Sonata has better safety equipment?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 has the stronger safety kit: front side and curtain airbags, blind spot information, tyre-pressure monitoring and an around-view monitor. The YF Facelift has driver and front passenger airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.