The 2008 Sonata is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 6 trims, ranging from the GLS to the Limited V6.

Upon introduction, the GLS is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 162-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The Limited V6 is equipped with a standard 3.3-liter, V6, 234-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2008 Sonata is a carryover from 2007.