First Glance
It's clear that Hyundai's engineers were benchmarking the Honda Accord as the vehicle to build. And boy did they hit the nail on the head. In fact, they may have cheated a little because the trunk and the rear taillights appear to be a knock-off from the current Accord. Head on, even the new Hyundai grill-mounted logo could be mistaken for Honda's. While it may not sound like it, I'm complimenting Hyundai - the Accord is a hell of a car.That said the '06 Sonata has a refreshingly clean, very contemporary look from every angle. The concave hood dome, the jewelled projector headlights and fog lights for example, are both original touches. In a very subtle way, the Sonata's a very attractive automobile. And it's actually quite a bit bigger car than you're probably thinking.
Measured strictly by its exterior dimensions the new Sonata qualifies as a "mid-size." Remarkably, however, the EPA actually classifies it as a "large" car because of its interior volume - 120 cubic feet. Sonata's main rivals are all classified as mid-size.
In the Driver's Seat
It has an enormous trunk with a conveniently low liftover. The trunk lid lifts up and well out of the way and the 60/40 split rear seats fold flat making for an immense cargo area.
The dash features an economical and convenient design with metal-like trim on the center console. With their dark background, the gauges can be a bit hard to read in some conditions, however.
Wind and road noise are kept luxury-car low thanks to body refinements made in the wind tunnel. Tight fitting glass did a fine job even keeping out most of the blat from a Harley with Screaming Eagle pipes that paced us for a couple of blocks.
Even with the basic 4-cylinder GL you get all the latest safety enhancements, including 4 disc brakes with ABS and EBD as well as electronic stability control and traction control. Six air bags with active front seat head restraints (prevents whiplash) are also standard.
On the Road
Two new DOHC engines are offered in the 2006 Sonata - an inline 2.4L four-cylinder (I-4) developing 162hp (164 lb-ft torque) and a 3.3L V-6 developing 235 hp (226 lb-ft torque).I've tested both V-6 and I-4 equipped vehicles and frankly, I prefer the 4-cylinder. I don't know the type of driving you do but my short hops in city-type of stop-and-go conditions proved better suited to the I-4. Like it or not, fuel economy is a social, perhaps even a security issue these days. In real life driving, the fewer cylinders you have to feed with fuel, the less fuel you'll use. The I-4 promises to be far more fuel-efficient than the V-6.
I was particularly impressed with the I-4's highway manners. It's smooth, quiet and quite responsive. Because the I-4 engine is lighter than V-6, its front suspension has been tuned a bit softer. My more competitive driving colleagues claim this induces more understeer. Nevertheless, with its much-improved body stiffness (compared with the '05) and a state-of-the-art double wishbone front and 5-link rear suspension, the '06 Sonata felt exceptionally secure on all the roads I took it, even the tight and twisty mountain roads.
Journey's End
The 2005 Hyundai Sonata was designed in California and engineered in Michigan. While V-6 models are built in Alabama, the 4-cylinder car is built in South Korea. Build quality is identical, though - according to a technical expert I consulted. In fact, he compared the Sonata's quality to German cars costing three times more!
The new Sonata's contemporary styling, reasonable prices, long list of standard features and demonstrated bulletproof reliability represents strongest challenge yet to the Japanese. It's an ideal-sized, exceptionally well-engineered, contemporary sedan that’s made for folks who want reliable, comfortable and stylish transportation with a minimum of waste. And all of it at a reasonable price. Hyundai's come a long way and its really ready to take you for a ride. And this ride you can afford.
