2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Sedan Test Drive

So-not-a so good

If sedans lived on paper instead of in steel, aluminum and plastic, the 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 would be a winner. For $20,895 (list price and as tested), you get a long list of "High Value" features, including electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and side curtain airbags, along with a 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty and a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. But something happens when they build these things – they've got to live up to the paper hype and perform on the road.

First Glance: Too generic

The Sonata is not a bad looking car. It's not a great looking car, either. Generic would be the word. I see hints of the VW Jetta in the overall line, a touch of Mercedes E-class in the rear, a little Honda Accord in the fenders. All good influences, rendered with little soul or originality in the Sonata. Even the Hyundai insignia, an italic "H" in a box, is derivative of the Honda logo. The Sonata's concave hood doesn't appeal to me, but at least it's unique.

Sitting next to a new Jetta in front of my house, it was easy to see that the Hyundai's paint quality was inferior – duller, with less depth and luster. Granted, the Sonata lists for several thousand dollars less than the Jetta – I just don't want to have to see the difference so blatantly every time I look at the car.

Still, there are value touches on the Sonata. 16" alloy wheels are standard on the GLS (17" on the LX), and better-looking than steel wheels with hubcaps would be. Front fascia fog lamps and dual oval chrome exhaust tips dress the extremes. While many new cars have done away with them (for a sleeker appearance, mostly), the Sonata has body molding on the doors to protect it in parking lots. The only thing worse than a generic car is a dinged-up generic car.

In the Driver's Seat: Cutting costs

The generic theme continues inside the Sonata. I don't know what the state of fabric design is in Korea, but referring to the coverings used in the Sonata as "Premium Full Cloth Seat Trim" is to redefine "Premium" as "Plain and Cheap-looking." The driver's seat is adjustable for height and rake, and a lumbar control provides a bit of welcome support. No matter how much I fiddled with the seat and tilt steering wheel, the driving position was still wrong for me – more 1978 Ford Granada than performance vehicle. I wanted the wheel to sit lower, not just change angle.

The dash is very plain, not to the point of starkness, but just without much detail or interest. There's hardly a curve to be seen. Gauges hide under a bulge in front of the steering wheel, and do the job without flourish. Touch the plastic of the center stack, and you instantly get a flash of what cheap feels like. It's not flimsy, exactly, just kind of brittle and unpleasant.

A quality car gives a solid "thunk" when you get inside and close the door. The Sonata betrays its price points when you hear its hollow doors slam shut. The feel is about 15 years behind the Japanese manufacturers – the Sonata feels like a Sentra from the early 90s. That's not a compliment.

On the Road: Too much work

The Sonata's V6 engine cranks out 235 hp and 227 lb-ft of torque with 24 valves operated with continuously variable valve timing, which should result in a spirited ride. Perhaps a 3458 curb weight works against the engine, but the V6 feels like it is working hard to move the Sonata down the road. The suspension doesn't help much. The front wishbone and rear multi-link delivers a mushy ride with tons of body roll. You do not want to toss this car into the corners. It doesn't court such shenanigans, nor does it promise much driving excitement.

Parking the Sonata was a chore. With ample overhang, it was always a two or three stab job to get lined up parallel to the curb. Practice didn't make it much better – the car just doesn't swing into a spot.

I felt an overall disconnect from the road driving the Sonata in various conditions and situations. On the freeway, it was floaty and vague. Around town, I heard every bump and ripple that the tires contacted, but I couldn't get any road feel through the steering wheel. I had occasion to test the anti-lock brakes at a wet intersection, and they performed as advertised, helping me steer clear of that wheelchair and avoid an embarrassing incident with a veteran of the Spanish-American War.

Journey's End: Great strides - but a lot longer to go

If you're considering a Hyundai Sonata, I hope you'll take a close look at more than just the sticker price. Take it for a drive, and see what you think. Then drive some competing vehicles, and see if you could live with the Sonata's compromises. I'd have a hard time settling for the Sonata.

The Sonata GLS V6 has to compete with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, VW Jetta and Mazda6, all of which can be ordered at prices close to the Hyundai sticker. For the price, you can get a better car and a better driving experience. Maybe you won't get all of the Hyundai's features, but value is about more than a list of gizmos. The Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion are also worth a drive.

A few years ago, the idea that a Korean car would be measured against Japanese competition was absurd – but Hyundai has made great strides in the past few years. I think they still have a ways to go before they approach the quality of Toyota, Honda and Nissan. The Sonata GLS V6 displays the weakness of trying to stretch your dollars to the max – they get pretty thin in places. Hyundai tries to out-feature the competition, delivering a long list of standard "High Value" features at a low price. I'd rather get fewer features and higher quality.