GL W/2.4 5-SPEED MANUAL

Author's Rating:

Pros: Near-subcompact highway mileage, reasonable acceleration

Cons: Cupholders, vanity mirrors, some reminders you're in the cheapo version

The Bottom Line: 
Quite agreeable for those who want a midsize w/good highway mileage and don't mind or prefer a manual

Author's Review
I bought this this car to replace a Ford Focus. That car was very quick and agile, but too noisy and let too much of the road surface through.
This is least expensive of the Sonata lineup but they are all well-equipped. Others have written about features and characteristics elsewhere in this section, so I will for the most part concentrate on this configuration's particulars.
Acceleration:
Brisker than the 4-cylinder automatic. Nothing like the V6, 0-60 is probably around 9 sec, maybe a bit less. I have seen a published figure of 8.44. I don't know about that, but it will get up and dance if you ask it. Onramp acceleration however is just barely adequate. Engine noise is fairly low for a 4-cylinder, occasionally emits a whine.
Fuel Economy: EPA rating for the manual is 24/34, automatic 24/33. On paper that isn't much, but in the real world, I suspect there is a greater difference. As of this writing my car only has around 400 miles on it and is therefore not 'broken in.' In hilly, stop-and-go San Francisco, I get about 17. The Focus SE w/manual (26/34) got 17.8 initially. Under ideal highway conditions using the cruise control @ 65-70 mph yields slightly over 35mpg. 55-60 mph gets 36.6. This already exceeds the EPA mileage rating and probably will increase once the car is broken in. The Focus got 30.8 @ 65-70 initially.
Transmission Since I'm not an expert in this matter, I'll just say it's easy to shift. One quirk any potential buyer must bear in mind is that reverse is the opposite of most cars: rather than being to the right of fourth, it is to the left of first and a ring below the shift know has to be raised to engage it.
Nice features worth noting:
If the headlights are on, removing the key cuts power to headlights (this is NOT 'automatic headlights).
As far as I can tell, the car will not let you lock yourself out of it. If you leave the key in the ignition and use the power locks or manually lock the driver's door, the car will flip the lock back to open.
Gripes Cupholders are useless, vanity mirror lights awkwardly designed w/light over them rather than in them, front seat cushions need to longer to support taller drivers' legs. Reminders that you have bought the cheapo version by way of blank spot (where the remote audio buttons are on upper trim levels) on the steering wheel opposite the cruise control buttons and several blank rectangles below/left of the instrument cluster.
Overall If you prefer or can tolerate shifting for yourself, you will get quicker pickup, probably better fuel economy and save $900 on the initial price of the car.