Chat
Contact us
Close contact box
Connect ID #
877 925 59
Connect ID #
877 925 59

Sorry, chat is currently unavailable

Don't wait on hold. We'll call you back when it's your turn to talk with the next available .
Please enter your name  
Please enter your phone number  
Please enter a message  

Calls may be recorded for training and quality control purposes.

We are located in Virginia USA.

Thank you. We will be calling you .
We're sorry. We have encountered a problem.

2006-2010 Hyundai Sonata

How to upgrade the stereo system in your Sonata

2009 hyundai sonata

In brief: This Crutchfield Research Garage article gives you an overview of your Sonata's stock stereo system and your aftermarket upgrade options. We'll tell you all about:

Then, use our vehicle selector to find the gear that will fit your Hyundai.

Overview of the Hyundai Sonata

The first Hyundai sold on these shores, the ironically named Excel, was an awkward, wheezing lump that fell apart even faster than it sold. Cheap as dirt and only slightly more mechanically advanced, it still attracted thousands of buyers who couldn't resist its singular combination of bargain price and new car smell. As a consumer product, the Excel was quite successful. As a car, it combined the styling of a covered litter box, the comfort of a waiting room chair, and the reliability of a cable TV installer.

Oh, how times have changed. Forget about the Excel (please) — Hyundai is building some seriously good cars these days. A mere twenty years after the first Excel lurched onto these shores, Hyundai introduced this Sonata, a stylish, well-made sedan good enough to compete head-to-head with any car in its segment. Whether you're considering a used Sonata, or just looking forward to getting more miles out of the one you have, a new stereo system will make your Sonata really sing.

hyundai sonata base radio

The Sonata's base radio (Crutchfield Research Photo)

The factory stereo system

The Sonata's standard factory stereo system was, like most in this segment of the marketplace, perfectly adequate. The optional Infinity system, however, was generally regarded as pretty darned good. That said; whether you have the standard 6-speaker system or the much-nicer 7-speaker Infinity system, you still have an aging factory system that could use some upgrading. If you want to hear your music at its best, you'll definitely want to install some aftermarket gear.

A variety of single-DIN (2") and double-DIN (4") receivers will fit in the Sonata. You'll need a dash kit to install the new piece in your car's dash cavity, and it's available at a deep discount with your Crutchfield stereo purchase. A wiring harness, which you'll use to connect the new receiver to your car's electrical system, is also available at a very nice price.

That wiring harness does not have a power antenna connection, so you'll need to connect the new stereo's power antenna wire directly to the car's power antenna connection.

You'll need to bypass the Premium system's factory amp (located in the trunk) when you upgrade the receiver. We also recommend replacing the low-impedance factory speakers with standard 4-ohm aftermarket speakers to prevent overheating and other damage to the new receiver. You can also add an aftermarket amp to get the best sound out of your system.

hyundai sonata infinity radio

The optional Infinity stereo was a big improvement over the base model. And yet....(Crutchfield Research Photo)

Removing the factory radio

The "when" (hopefully soon) and "where" (in your garage or driveway) of replacing the Sonata's standard stereo are pretty obvious. The "how" depends on your car's dash design, which depends on the car's model year. Hyundai redesigned the instrument panel for 2009, so removing the radio in 2006-08 models is a slightly different task than it is in later Sonatas.

The good news is that the process is pretty basic, either way. The better news is that each Crutchfield stereo or speaker purchase comes with our legendary Crutchfield MasterSheet, which gives you detailed, illustrated disassembly instructions.

Detailed stereo and speaker removal instructions

MasterSheet image
With step-by-step disassembly instructions and plenty of up-close, detailed photos, our exclusive Crutchfield MasterSheet™ takes the guesswork out of removing the factory stereo and speakers. It's free with your Crutchfield order, or you can purchase one separately for just $9.99.

On the 2006-08 cars, you'll need to bend the factory radio's rear support bracket to make room for a new double-DIN stereo, but that's not as hard as it might sound.

On the 2009-10 models, that nifty new dash design means you won't be able to install a receiver with a fold-down face. You'll also lose the factory satellite radio capability, but there are plenty of aftermarket receivers that work with a SiriusXM tuner (sold separately), so you won't have to give up any of your favorite programs.

Other than that, the job is pretty straightforward. You'll need a panel tool and a Phillips screwdriver to do it, and we also recommend having a small container handy to store and sort the various screws you're removing. You'll need them to put the dash back together.

Tools needed: Panel tool, Phillips screwdriver

Read our Car Stereo Buying Guide for shopping tips and advice.

Shop for car stereos that fit your Hyundai Sonata

hyundai sonata front door

The 2009-10 door panels don't look like the 2006-08s, but the disassembly process is the same. Note the sail panel tweeter. (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Removing the factory speakers

Installing aftermarket speakers in the Sonata offers a few challenges, but it's nothing the average do-it-yourselfer can't handle. The 2006-08 and 2009-10 Sonata door panels don't look alike, but the steps involved in removing and replacing them are the same.

Front door speakers

You'll need to remove the door panels to access the speakers, and the number of steps involved is just one indication of how much effort Hyundai now puts into building a solid car. Again, it's not hard, but you'll be removing a lot of screws, so be sure to keep them organized throughout the process, because you'll need them again when you put the door back together.

Tweeters

The speaker replacement process starts with the removal of the sail panels. If you're working with a base factory system, the sail panel is just a sail panel. With the Infinity system, the sail panels house the tweeters. There's no mounting bracket available, so you'll need a pair of our universal backstraps (or some other method) to secure new tweeters. If you're replacing an Infinity stereo system, a set of component speakers, which include seperate woofers and tweeters, is a great choice for the Sonata.

Woofers

Replacing the door woofers begins with drilling out the four rivets that secure the speakers. If you can operate a power drill, you can do this, but be sure to work carefully and wear eye protection any time you're drilling in a car.

You'll also need to use the drill to create new mounting holes. Once you've removed the old speaker, place the speaker bracket in the speaker location. Align the bracket so that the wires will pass through the opening in the bracket, then mark the locations for the new mounting holes. Once that's done, remove the bracket and drill the holes with a 1/8" bit.

Secure the speaker to the bracket following the instructions included with the bracket, then pass the speaker wiring through the opening and connect the speaker's wiring adapter to the Sonata's speaker harness. Secure everything in place, make sure the wires aren't interfering with the windows or locks, then test to make sure the speaker is working. If it is, button it all up and move on to the next task.

Tools needed: Panel tool, small Phillips screwdriver, drill, 1/8" and 5/32" bits, flat head screwdriver

hyundai sonata rear door

The rear doors went through a restyling as well, but again, our instructions work for all these cars (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Rear door speakers

Removing and replacing the Sonata's rear speakers involves the same tools and techniques used on the front doors. If you can do that, you can do this. If you can't do that, no problem – you can always turn the entire job over to a car audio professional.

Tools needed: Panel tool, small Phillips screwdriver, drill, 1/8" and 5/32" bits, flat head screwdriver

Read our Car Speakers Buying Guide for more information.

Shop for speakers that fit your Hyundai Sonata

hyundai sonata rear deck sub

Infinity-equipped cars include this rear deck subwoofer (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Rear deck subwoofer

Sonatas with the Infinity system are equipped with an 8" subwoofer in the rear deck. Replacing this sub isn't impossible, but the job will pose some significant challenges to the inexperienced DIY-er. This might be a job for your local car audio professional.

The rear seat bottom cushion and the rear deck panel must be removed to access the speaker. This isn't hard, but it is time consuming and you really should have someone around to assist with the somewhat-awkward process of wrestling these bits out of the car.

It's possible to find an aftermarket 8" sub with the same bolt pattern as the factory model, but it's not necessarily easy. The factory sub's cutout diameter is also smaller than most aftermarket subs, so you may need to cut into the rear deck steel to create a mounting point for the new piece. If you do it yourself, be careful and wear eye protection. If you're not confident in your metal-cutting abilities, consult a professional.

No speaker wiring adapter is available for this speaker location on the 2006-08 cars, so a set of Posi-Products speaker connectors will be needed to hook everything up. An adapter is available for the 2009-10 models, though.

Tools needed: panel tool, Phillips screwdriver, 10mm and 12mm socket, ratchet, and extension

hyundai sonata trunk

There's quite a lot of space in the Sonata's trunk (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Bass in your Sonata

If you're really into bass and want to build a custom enclosure for the Sonata's trunk, you have a 38" W x 18" H x 32"/38" D space to work with.

If you have everyday practical considerations to think about, you might want to go with something a bit smaller, like a powered subwoofer. You'll hear better bass, but you won't lose valuable cargo space.

Learn more about building a bass system in our Car Subwoofer Buying Guide.

weathertech custom floor liners

Protect your Sonata's carpeting with a set of custom-fit WeatherTech FloorLiners

Other options for your Hyundai Sonata

There are lots of ways to improve your Sonata's comfort and performance. Here are a few ideas:

Protect the carpets with WeatherTech floor liners

It's easier than you think to mess up your Sonata's interior while you're going about your daily business. Floor mats and liners from WeatherTech will help protect your car's carpeting from dirt and damage. And if they're already dirty and damaged, these mats will cover it up and make your car's interior a nicer place to be.

Noise damping

The Sonata is, by and large, a reasonably quiet car. But if you really care about sound, you'll want to keep wind and road noise away from your musical enjoyment. Installing Dynamat in the doors when you're replacing the speakers can really help quiet things down in the good way. If you're installing a sub, lining the trunk with Dynamat will seal in the thump and keep the trunk lid from rattling, too. If you're really serious about sound, you might want to line the floors, as well.

iPod® and satellite radio adapters

Crutchfield carries a variety of adapters that let you add iPod control or satellite radio to your factory stereo system. Of course, if you're replacing the factory stereo, your new receiver will most likely feature built-in iPod control. You can also add SiriusXM Satellite Radio to most aftermarket stereos.

Security systems

Installing a security system in your Sonata isn't easy (security systems rarely are), but it's definitely a good idea. Our Crutchfield Advisors can help figure out what you need to get the job done, but we usually recommend taking your car and new gear to a professional installer.

Let's get started!

Ready to shop? Use our vehicle selector to find the gear that will fit your car or truck. If you have questions, give us a shout via phone, chat, or email

  • Eric from Roanoke

    Posted on 12/11/2022

    How big of an amplifier(s) can I install with the factory original alternator in the car? I do not have the premium audio system but will want to install a Kenwood head unit, replace the speakers and as powerful an amplifier for them and a sub kit as I safely can given the stock power system.

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 12/12/2022

    Eric, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our advisors. We can help you choose the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
  • Doug from Roselle

    Posted on 12/2/2020

    Hi. what is the timeframe for tech support? I bought a radio and all the harnesses and adapters for my 2008 Sonata (with Infinity system) from Crutchfield a few years ago and installed but it has never worked right. It turns on but no audio out of the speakers. It does work most of the time if I use the remote starter to start the car, but almost never if I just get in and use the key...that part is weird...

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 12/3/2020

    Doug, Tech support is free for the life of the gear. Give us a call and talk to one of our tech experts. We can help you troubleshoot your system and get things working properly.
  • Josemiguel Hernandez from Superior

    Posted on 5/31/2020

    I own a 2008 Hyundai Sonata with the 8 inch subwoofer in the back.I installed my old Pioneer 6900UB in it.The Pioneer I installed in it has the option to set the rear speaker output from full to subwoofer.I set the rear speaker output to subwoofer and it sounds great.Also once the rear speaker output is set to subwoofer, you can use the Pioneers subwoofer control to adjust the sub HPF.I keep mine at 125hz.

  • Brandon Mitchell from Corpus Christi

    Posted on 3/9/2020

    My son has a 2008 Sonata and we're looking to upgrade the sound system starting with the radio itself. While the radio looks like the base unit pictured in the article above and there's a blank in the sub location, I had to use the upgraded audio harness kit to wire the new radio (I inadvertently ordered both harness kits and the base kit plug didn't fit my factory harness. Now the sound on the new radio is low and muffled at full volume. There appears to be a small amp in the lower rear right fender void as well. My question is with the current sound quality I am getting, should I be bypassing the amp to utilize the 55w X 4 that the new radio puts out or going through the factory amp? When I disconnect and plug the factory unit the sound returns to its original quality which is very good for this car. He just wants the capabilities of a newer radio. We plan to move on to the amp/sub fun when the radio issue is resolved.

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 3/9/2020

    Brandon, If you bought your gear from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Check out our tech support page for details.
  • Michael from BAYTOWN

    Posted on 11/14/2019

    What are the factory speaker sizes? Thinking of upgrading the speakers for my wife's car on Xmas. Thanks in advance!

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 11/15/2019

    Michael, Speakers are the gift that keeps on giving, so excellent idea! When you enter your vehicle's info into our Outfit My Car tool, you'll see the speakers that fit the Sonata. If you have any questions, our advisors are available via phone or chat.
  • Ricardo Scott from Cortlandt Manor

    Posted on 11/2/2019

    Replaciing my head unit will I need a wire harness since it has the Infinity system?

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 11/4/2019

    Ricardo, You will, and you'll save some money on the harness when you order from Crutchfield. When you enter your vehicle's info into our Outfit My Car tool, you'll see which stereos fit your car, plus the correct harness. If you have any questions, our advisors are available via phone or chat.
  • Nathan from Gilbert

    Posted on 8/24/2019

    Does the rear sub use a factory amplifier?

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 8/26/2019

    Nathan, Yes, the Sonata's Premium Sound System adds an amplifier that powers the speakers and the sub. It's located behind the right rear trunk trim panel.
  • Josue Montoya from Denver

    Posted on 7/20/2018

    I installed a double din deck on my 2006 Hyundai Sonata but realized my head lights don't come on when I have them in the auto mode. Any suggestions

    Commenter image

    Jon Paulette from Crutchfield

    on 7/20/2018

    Josue, It might not have anything to do with the receiver. It could be the delay settings for the lights. See if adjusting those settings helps. If you bought your receiver from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Check out our tech support page for details.
  • Commenter image

    Jon Paulette from Crutchfield

    Posted on 5/9/2018

    Tom, Thanks for the kind words! As for your Santa Fe question, I'm going to send it along our advisors and one of our experts will be contacting you via email soon. For immediate help, you can contact them via phone or chat.

  • Tom from Clinton

    Posted on 5/9/2018

    Jon, Thanks for the good article. I have a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe with Infinity speakers and RSE (no navigation). I can't find any good information on whether I can retain the RSE when upgrading to a new head unit (looking for Android Auto). Do you know if this is something that would be possible? Would it require any special adapters or wiring/splicing? Thanks for your help!

Looking for
car stereos?

Car Stereos Shop our selection

Find what Fits your vehicle

Remove

Checking fit...

Compare the sound