Verdict
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 is the materially more complete newer-generation choice: its 2.5-litre engine produces 177 hp and 232 Nm against the YF Facelift’s 160 hp and 194 Nm, while six airbags replace two. It also brings a 510-litre boot, 18-inch tyres and an around-view monitor. But the RM56,035 price gap is substantial, and annual road tax rises from RM380 to RM877. For a used-car buyer who can accept halogen headlamps, two airbags and fewer parking aids, the YF Facelift remains the lower-cost route into a D-segment Sonata.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata YF Facelift if you want the far lower purchase price and RM380 annual road tax, and can live with two airbags and a smaller 463-litre boot.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata DN8 if you want 177 hp, six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, an around-view monitor and a 510-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: YF Facelift RM133,853; DN8 RM189,888.
- Engine output: YF Facelift 160 hp and 194 Nm; DN8 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Safety airbags: YF Facelift 2; DN8 6.
- Boot space: YF Facelift 463 litres; DN8 510 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: YF Facelift 17-inch with 215/55R17 tyres; DN8 18-inch with 235/45R18 tyres.
- Annual road tax: YF Facelift RM380; DN8 RM877.
YF Facelift
- RM56,035 cheaper to buy.
- Lower RM380 annual road tax.
- Gets front foglamps and Tiptronic shifting.
- Only two airbags versus the DN8’s six.
- No blind-spot information system or reverse camera.
- Smaller 463-litre boot and 160 hp/194 Nm engine.
DN8
- 177 hp and 232 Nm from its 2.5-litre engine.
- Six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and tyre-pressure monitoring.
- Around-view monitor, front parking sensors and a 510-litre boot.
- Costs RM56,035 more to buy.
- RM877 annual road tax is RM497 higher.
- Lacks the YF Facelift’s front foglamps and Tiptronic function.
| 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 at 6,500 rpm | 177 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 194 Nm at 4,800 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 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 | 2 (Driver and Front 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 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 equipped and safer, with 177 hp, six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and an around-view monitor. The YF Facelift is the sensible choice only when its much lower entry cost and RM380 road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 costs RM56,035 more than the Hyundai Sonata YF Facelift. Its annual road tax is also RM497 higher, at RM877 versus RM380.
Which Sonata has more practical luggage space?
The Hyundai Sonata DN8 has the larger boot at 510 litres, a 47-litre advantage over the YF Facelift’s 463 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
