1990 Hyundai Sonata GLS Start Up, Engine, and In Depth Tour (2011 Compare)

In this video I give a full in depth tour of a very low mileage 1990 Sonata, the first generation. I take viewers on a close look through the interior and exterior of this car while showing details, over viewing of features, and noting unique styling cues to the vehicle itself. I also show the engine and the details of it, start it up and see how it sounds under acceleration. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle. I also show some comparison clips of the 2011 sonata. In this video You might notice the sound go in and out during some exterior and engine portions, there was a belt squeak and kinda muffled it a bit, but it didn't effect it that bad, you can still hear me just fine. just wanted to give an fyi for those who were wondering what was going on with the camera and sound. Just bear with me during those scenes. The majority of the video is perfectly fine, thanks!

[@xnopyt13]

We need a museum to preserve these old ordinary yet extremely rare cars.

[@qmto]

I miss when SaabKyle did normal everyday and used cars. I just don't really care about new and super cars the way I do about these old relics. Especially ones like this in such good shape.

[@Shyzah]

i mean, he needs to move on. He has already made these old car reviews and now he's onto bigger things.

[@mujjuman]

same

[@bennamstyle6214]

When he has time he reviews used cars, like an old Porsche. It just happens rarely.

[@jrt2792]

+BennamStyle He also likes to do new things.

[@fooofis]

qmto absolutely couldn’t agree more

[@Wbrooks01]

I didn't even know Hyundai made the Sonata back then. Great shape! It can always be appreciated when people take care of their cars.

[@Delorean217]

They started making Sonata's back in 1985.

[@celticsdude]

They came out in 1985 in Canada, and US didn't get them until 1989.

[@Evan2]

Love the chime the thing makes. Wouldn't be surprised if it's an actual bell with a small hammer!

[@Averythefanman]

+John Doe You are correct. It is mechanical.

[@NickDalzell]

+Averythefanman so were the ones in Subarus. after a few years though the bell stops working, and all you hear are two thumps or one ding and a thump.

[@jamesbensch6]

Arc Hyundai used that chime up until recent times in their entry level cars like the Accent. Last gen Accent and 2006-2011 Rio were (I believe) the last to have it

[@NickDalzell]

A few Nissan Maximas in the early 80s did too. Some of them talked as well.

[@celticsdude]

Hondas also chime like that when the lights are left on.

[@JoshBeFreeTV]

This car is beautiful! Immaculate condition, clean, and only 78K miles! That's a godsend right there! 😂😂 I may be 8 years late but this car is amazing!

[@MandusahRamirez]

True! And I’m 9 years late lol

[@Rocc1994]

This thing belongs in a museum

[@Titanic19127]

XXCCC85XX Museum of failures

[@alexrazmjookhah7625]

M&N Distribution how tf is the sonata a failure!?! It’s been a major success since for Hyundai since 1985.

[@carlosc30]

I Agree

[@T-Rex-nm1se]

@@Titanic19127 if it's a failure why is hyundai still making them as of 2021? They're not bad cars.

[@Titanic19127]

@@T-Rex-nm1se It’s a s*** stain on history and usually stains stay around a while

[@camerakid92]

Wow, Hyundai has come such a long way!

[@zarquettejohnson719]

that's the primo in GTA San Andreas

[@kevinantojoji5640]

Primo reassembles a 1990 toyota camry

[@carlosc30]

@@kevinantojoji5640 yeah

[@alphadiallo7787]

@@kevinantojoji5640 you right

[@josephhiggins27]

@@kevinantojoji5640 p

[@vasquezy692]

I've always known that the primo was a Hyundai model.

[@downen1264]

Back when you had to use an actual KEY to unlock the car.

[@jcchiyezhath95]

i still have that for 2015 toyota corolla

[@jcchiyezhath95]

with a 6 speed manual transmission

[@iiplaya]

Lucas Downen people still do that on new cars

[@joem1767]

I love how it says "Look How Far We've Come!" On the back. It may as well say "Look at the giant piles of s*** we used to sell to you!"

[@FJDH11]

I rather have the old Sonata

[@evgenys6335]

For some reason reminds me of some kind of 90's beige microwave

[@Lincolntowncoupe]

oh my gosh hahaha it has the automatic seatbelt stranglers

[@nicholasmohr3353]

My Thunderbird does

[@samlung2724]

I wouldn't brag on how low miles the car has, I would brag how high miles it has and that it is still in very good condition.

[@YourLocalFireAlarmTech]

78K is not that many miles for a car that old.

[@patricknedz]

I had a 2005 Sonata GLS before, it was a nice car, now I have a 2013 limited. they have come a long way for sure. Love that car!

[@sentientorganiclifeform6708]

Rear end really reminds me of the Passat from back then. Also, those seatbelts... Pretty interesting car, especially the steering wheel. Love older cars!

[@runforit420]

Thank goodness Hyundai ditched Mitsubishi mechanicals. This car was a re-skin of a mid-1980s Mitsubishi Galant. We used to joke that you could see my friend's 1994 Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi Mirage) for a distance away because of the blue smoke belching from the exhaust.

[@dejanmitrovic6545]

Is Mazda 626

[@davidjacobs8558]

When Hyundai first try to make cars, they approached Ford first, but Ford rejected any technology transfer. So Hyundai then approached Toyota, but they rejected too. Mitsubishi was only company who were willing to help out Hyundai back then.

[@Declipse16]

It's nice to see that someone took such nice care of this car. I love old cars, they're mor exciting to me than new ones

[@Brillemeister]

I always love the old, boxy styling. And that chime! God bless

[@OhPhuckYou]

Gas forward to 2021 and Hyundai has their own line of luxury cars that's going up against Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac, and Lincoln. All while doing a good job at it! They're even taking aim at Bentley with their styling cues. Amazing what's happened in 31 years! They're also one of the most reliable brands on the market now with some of the most advanced technology. This is why I love Kia and Hyundai; they actually have put the effort into bettering their cars and it shows! They have a few hiccups here and there, but seeing the excuses they passed off as cars in the 90's compared to what they make now is amazing!

[@ares9304]

Dude, that the nicest Sonata I've ever seen. The wheel arches are all in one piece! These things rust like you wouldn't believe.

[@ares9304]

***** we salt the roads like hell. Everything is rusted over here.

[@iamanoobiecheez]

Nice ride... I WANT ONE OF THOSE.

[@slyguyaction]

Great review Kyle. I had a late 90's Hyundai Elantra that was junk so I'd really written the brand off as not good quality. Then the new version of the Elantra came out and I love it. My fiancé just bought a 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS. Awesome car. Hyundai has came such a long way. They are great cars now!!

[@kitrocks8058]

I really miss his old videos where he went to the dealerships

[@jonnycat5083]

Hyundai I am at a loss of words with just how far you have come in vehicle design and interior design plus styling!

[@FJDH11]

Old style is better

[@TerryFilming]

My Dad used to drive this vehicle! It was actually pretty reliable and rarely had any issues that were serious. Sadly, he got into a car crash and decided to say good bye to it. Haha, still remember the soft cloth seats in the back!

[@dwilsonjr78]

The V6 engine in the 1st generation Sonata was also made by Mitsubishi and was also used in some of the FWD Chrysler products from the late 80's and early 90's, including the Chrysler minivans.

[@form109]

Hyundai has made the greatest improvement out of any car brand....especially impressed with the Genisis and Eqqus,who knows what great stuff hyundai will bring out in the future.

[@640101vh]

Its nice to see older vehicles like this one, After Cash for Clunkers For Clunkers older vehicles are rare, especially ones in excellent shape like this one.

[@BernonCars]

It sorta looks like an old Jetta

[@jelsc123]

I still love the first Sonata. Reminds me of the time when my dad went to the showroom.

[@DerAdventurer]

A survivor in great shape! Really awesome! Thanks for sharing, Kyle.

[@thunderstruck665]

So rare to see cars like this in this good of shape. Pretty cool!

[@cathyr1750]

I had a 1990. It was my first car. I couldn’t kill the thing and I tried. I’ve always been a fan since. Bought a 2014 Accent and I loved that one too.

[@EDP407]

Wow, cannot believe that is 20 years old, looks unbeliveably modern and technological for a year old car!

[@365tips]

Nice to see older cars in this condition! This Sonata model was one of the first Hyundai´s models which were imported here in Finland at the very late of the 80´s. The other one was Pony (Excel) and Scoupe. We had Sonata here only with 2,0i engine (100hp) GL or GLS with M/T or A/T. Facelift model had also 3,0i V6 A/T from 1992 as an option. Nice car, wish I could find a similar one in this condition!

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

This was the car that was supposed to have been the U.S.-market Stellar. We never got the prior Stellar in our market due to emissions restrictions.

[@gbling88]

the chime is soooo cute

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Believe it or not, it did replace the Stellar. Only in Canada was there ever a Stellar within the whole of the continent of North America. The original 1989 Sonata was actually a little larger than the Stellar that was supposed to have been imported here after sales of the 1st-generation Excel took off in 1986.

[@stevetannenbaum4074]

It is still alive. It did need a timing belt last year, but it is still among the living

[@Lambdasonddd]

Is that sonata on video yours?

[@stevetannenbaum4074]

Jeremy Saevn yes

[@Lambdasonddd]

@@stevetannenbaum4074 Amazing! Im in s.korea and even here 1st gen sonatas are extinct. Great car you have there. Even in 2011 when I saw this video first time, these were so rare to find.

[@stevetannenbaum4074]

Jeremy Saevn this was actually built at a plant in Canada that Hyundai had for a few years. I have no idea how many of these are in the US.

[@dave11686]

Great video as always Kyle! The new Sonatas are great(my sister has a 2010 Sonata) but it's great to see the older Hyundais as well. Gotta love that classic chime as well!

[@hermesbars3225]

I found the old Sonata surprisingly nice! Very cool

[@dborked]

Props to whoever owned that Sonata for taking such great care of it.

[@clubcar98]

Oh my god, thats a rare beauty! Ive seen older Accents and older Excels but never something like this! And in such good shape too! I don't care what anyone has to say, I like Hyundai and always will. In fact, we might be getting an Elantra or Sonata from early 2000 or late 1990's when my mother decides to get a new used car. I myself want a 2000-2005 Hyundai Accent manual! If I had the money, id go across country to buy this.

[@coopermuccio4409]

Hope who has this now takes care of it. Not many pre 90s hyundai or kias on the road in the US anyway

[@rsxbodykit]

The car is in amazing shape, great review of an older car that looks like the owner took really good car of the car.

[@Jasonwstang]

Wow that is very clean Sonata! Hey Kyle, I used to have 1989 Hyundai Sonata GL...its my very first car when I was younger!

[@kihoony5325]

Amazing!! Y2 SONATA!

[@TerryFilming]

A long time ago, that design was a pretty "modern" look.

[@hddr3]

Very nice car for 1990, was like 10years ahead of it's time

[@gm1990ss]

door dinger reminds me of our 87 hyundai excel my dad bought new. we sold the car in 95, when i was 5. i still remember being 4 or 5 and opening the drivers door on the inside for my mom.

[@hertzbus]

This looks like Stellar back on the days.

[@carloveridc]

i dont even know what say but it is nice to see a car like that i dont even remember the last time i seen a older hyundai like that.

[@aaronries9307]

Is it me or is something messing with the camera from the engine

[@bamac2008]

OMG!!! I cant believe you found one of these!!!! My mom had a 1991 & It was pure shit, but I loved it, as any kid would love their first family's car. & til' this day my mom wont go anywhere near a Hyundai...

[@LauraLou19413]

this is so cool that you found this...thanks for posting

[@ProtegeTuype]

Great old car ! , so many features for 1990 !!

[@CarringtonHollister]

My fellow church member used to have that same cute little chime on her 2003 Kia Optima

[@FordTaurusSHO93]

I love that door chime.....so much less annoying than the older American cars.

[@tbi_350]

Holy crap, six actual gauges. That key chime reminds me of the 89 Excel my father had when I was growing up.

[@Brambor97]

Wow.The new Sonata looks fantastic!Well,the old one was totally different car !Thanks for the vid.Kyle :D

[@MANToTerror]

Had an 89' Sonata, manual seat belts, roll up windows, black trim but popped for the automatic, ran and ran-only issue was the A/C was highly unreliable due to crappy line seals..had them replaced under the hood with screw on units, and was fantastic..

[@eugew23]

That old thing is in amazing condition! The exterior can pass for a brand new car haha! im speechless.

[@Golbez1991]

I come from a generation of Sonatas.. my father drove a '92 Sonata, and I drive a 2008 Sonata... my future son ... his choice. :)

[@alpzepta]

Golbez1991 oh your son will be driving a sexy looking 2020+ Sonata

[@TheTazz5150]

This video doesn't do justice of how roomy this car is; especially the trunk. My friend had this car in my high school years, and we fit 2 big boys in the trunk six people in the back seat, and two in the front. The car still didn't bottom out and just ran fine. The car didn't last too long after my friend's hands, but it did have a hard life. This was a roomy no frills sedan. Didn't win races, but did everything we threw at it, including off roading, and 90+ mph to Vegas runs!

[@vermontvermont9292]

I wish my 2015 sonata was a 5 speed, or 6 speed manual. So tired of everything being automatic these days.

[@iCharmCity410]

My cousin had this car back in the day. She bought it brand new in 1991. She kept it for like 10 years. Now she has a Toyota avalon.

[@danzeldiaz7447]

Gotta love that bell chime

[@Seva25]

Unbelievable shape for such a "regular" car. Hat's off to its owner!

[@Dave998100]

I forgot how stylish the car was back when I was 16, those were good times.

[@mrkzj2]

Say what you want, but regardless of opinions, there's no doubt that Hyundai has come a LONG way.

[@krunky5000]

I just found this video. very cool. i did not know hyundai was in the states this long

[@achm3d]

its good to see that some people still take great care of their cars and don't abuse them. its not common to see 20+ year old cars at new car dealers in that shape. btw, that chime sounds a lot like the old Nissan chime

[@carcrazymara]

they have come a long way

[@CobaltBlaze93]

Damn, that's a collector's item, right there. Very cool example of an old-school Hyundai. What was that black section of the steering wheel, though? That was bugging me every time I saw it.

[@xxlightingboltxx7749]

The 2011 - 2012 Hyundai Sonatas are very well known for the engine to seize at around 80,000 miles. The only known solution is to replace the engine (or part of it), and that costs at least $3,000, if the warranty is expired. Stay away from any high mileage 2011 - 2012 Hyundai Sonatas!

[@xxlightingboltxx7749]

***** Not on my own experience, but rather on other's experience. Go on safecar.gov or carcomplaints.com for proof. BUT, I agree that the older Hyundais are VERY reliable.

[@xxlightingboltxx7749]

Sadly, yes it is.

[@2fast4all]

why does the stock radio sound pretty damn good?!! :O

[@yamahonkawazuki]

good GOD you were right kyle they have come a long way. hyundai , late 80's to early 90's were junk. theyve earned their stripes. found out what tehy were doing wrong. and got almost all of it straightened out now :)

[@Tennesseestorm76]

Nice Sonata. Looks like it had all options but automatic transmission. I used to have a '15 Sonata. Great cars.

[@zac0964]

I love this car, everything you need, nothing more.

[@MAGNUM05]

Any Early 90s Hyundai is extremely rare and hard to find nowadays, especially in this condition. These cars were so unreliable. It's surprising how this one held up. However, there's no telling if this car is still alive or not. As of 2019, most of these Early 90s Sonatas are very long gone.

[@stevetannenbaum4074]

Still alive and kicking

[@rabbitman7861]

I miss Sonata 1990. It was nice design.

[@TyJamal]

Hyundai had definitely stepped their game up. Their cars went from being absolute crappy economy cars to something you'd actually be proud to bring home. From the late '80s through the early '90s, my mother had 2 Excels, and I remember all the mechanical and electrical issues she always had with them. You don't hear of that with Hyundai anymore. You don't even hear of them having major or mass recalls, either. Nice job, Hyundai!

[@dc2b18r]

this car is totally clean for this day and age i dont even see a single rust, who ever the owner is musta garage it really well

[@Aero7SVR]

7:39 wow, those sliding seat belts are quite impressive ! A gimmick, and probably a liability (since these early Hyundais weren't reliable), but nonetheless a cool party piece. Overall, I don't think it's such a bad car... at least it's powered by proven Mitsubishi engines.

[@ke228]

Excellent vid.

[@jacketman22]

What's funny is it's become an exclusive car in its own right; so many of these were sent to the crusher by the end of the 1990s that they're about as rare as most Bentleys.

[@lukasz12us]

@7477238 There was one, it came out in 1991...The engine was essentially a Mitsubishi 6G72 12V SOHC V6. The power & torque figures were 106 KW / 142 BHP @ 5000 RPM & 232 NM / 168 LB-FT @ 2500 (bit weak compared to more powerful versions like the one in Diamante - 12V with 175 bhp or 24V with 202 bhp). It was available with 4-spd automatic only as far as I can tell. Too bad that the ones in a good shape are extremely rare to find nowdays.

[@celsovera91]

i bet you its rare to find another '90 sonata in really good condition

[@crystalscan2002]

i never seen a 1990 sonata i thought they only had excels in 1990 :O

[@mikeluscher159]

nice video kyle, u got a lot for 21,000 at the time, no wonder they sold

[@damieg82]

I remember these when they first came out... great car and loaded with features for a very reasonable price compared to the competition. It's rumoured Hyundai benchmarked their cars at that time against contemporary VWs. Assuming that's true, it's a decent place to start and also explains the more than passing resemblance of this model to the B3 Passat.

[@IKhanNot]

Up here in Canada the Hyundai Pony was one of the best selling eco-box cars in the mid 80's. Over 50,000 were sold. I love the new Sonata but there should be a V6 engine available.

[@corvette4554]

i own hyundai excel 1991 and its very good , efficient and reliable and its not crap at all

[@eddox94]

If you could find a 97 sonata I would give you a child

[@user-yd8yx8il5t]

oh yeah i love serious engien start sound^^~

[@masonblocksage6905]

i hate those set belts tho

[@McBeamer94]

Looks so American, I actually thought it's a Cadillac for the first 2-3 seconds !!

[@weegeemike]

I'm with you Kyle, I love Hyundai.

[@dogalways]

i love 1990's cars

[@TheCarArchives96]

the 1988-1994 Hyundai Sonata was assembled in Bromont, Quebec, Canada Ulsan, Korea