Hyundai Canada was offering the base '08 Sonata on their website for $19,999 (cash only) a couple of months ago, but no longer. The base '09 M/T Sonata GL is $21,995, the A/T package brings it up to $23,395 and the Limited is $27,995.
By comparison, the '09 Chevy Malibu LT is $24,995, the 2LT $25,995 - that's 2 grand LESS than the Sonata Limited. My son has one of these and it's really an amazing car, IMO probably GM's best family car ever.
The base 2.5 Nissan Altima lists for $22,698, adding the CVT brings it to $25,398. The V6 3.5S with CVT starts at $27,198, still almost 800 bucks CHEAPER than the I4 Sonata Limited.
Even the fairly pricey Honda Accord EX with A/T at $28,690 is only $705 more than the Hyundai.
Other than the leather seats which aren't worth much to me anyway, I fail to see the Sonata's advantage, especially against the Mailbu. It sure isn't the killer deal it used to be.