2006 Hyundai Sonata Road Test

2006 Hyundai Sonata Road Test May 6, 2005 by Trevor Hofmann / American Auto Press Building a New Midsize Benchmark Just how good the upcoming Sonata is came as no surprise to me when I tested it last week in and around the San Francisco area. It seems that everything Hyundai has brought out in recent years has either been leading its respective market segment, for quality, driving dynamics and refinement, or on par with the front runners. I was duly impressed with the current generation Sonata when it was introduced in 2001 as a 2002 model. It featured a well put together interior, comparable ride and handling characteristics to its Japanese competitors, a long list of standard and optional features for a value packed price, plus dramatic styling. The new 2006 Sonata follows the same well-proven pattern as the old car, with tight, perfectly aligned body panel gap tolerances, an impressively executed interior worthy of comparison to the segments best, Lexus-like silence from the engine compartment, a wonderfully sorted chassis that delivers a comfortable ride while still managing to feel sporty through the corners, an even longer list of standard and optional features, and slightly less dramatic but nevertheless very attractive styling. Starting with my last point, the new Sonata isn’t trying to appear like a premium product anymore, a criticism initially given to the current generation car that features a bold grille, Mercedes-Benz-like circular headlamp clusters, a Jaguar-like profile and a considerable dollop of chrome bright work. I happen to like the old cars styling very much, and to Hyundai’s credit one was on hand to remind all present at the event just how good the outgoing car is. The new Sonata has doffed its stately image, however, for a much sportier one. Then again, its not attempting to take on the likes of the Mazda6 or Nissan Altima for sports sedan buyers, as no manual transmission will be offered with its 6-cylinder engine, but compared to a current Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, the new Sonata looks lithe and limber, capable of taking on hill, dale, undulating underpass or bending byway, serpentine S-curves or seemingly unending freeway straights, at high speed. To that end, the Sonata doesn’t merely talk the sport sedan talk, but it unabashedly walks the walk. The winding coastal roadways north of San Francisco, which included the stunningly picturesque Highway 1, were ideal test-beds for the new Hyundai. Not only are these routes overly circuitous, but during some stretches pavement is at a premium, making driver and passenger appreciative of a compliant suspension. Despite the heroic ride quality, the Sonata was even more confidence inspiring through the corners. Body lean was surprisingly limited, tire squeal only noticeable when the car began to under steer slightly, and then only as a precautionary measure necessary to impress upon the driver that inertia must eventually pay tribute to the forces of gravity. In other words, this thing handles so well that the aggressively piloted BMW 5-Series to my rear was never once held up by the comparatively "pedestrian" Hyundai. I use the somewhat derogatory term only because Hyundai’s have long been respected for value, but by the general populace, never considered to be driver’s cars per se. The new Sonata, like the sporty compact Tucson SUV that was launched earlier this year, will go far in redefining the South Korean brands image. Getting technical, the suspension responsible for the taut handling is independent all-round, featuring a double wishbone setup with coil springs, gas-charged hydraulic shock absorbers and a 25 (0.98 inch) to 26 mm (1.02 inch) diameter anti-roll bar, depending on 4- or 6-cylinder applications respectively, up front, while the rear suspension gets a sophisticated independent multilink design, featuring coil springs, gas-charged hydraulic shock absorbers and a 15 mm (0.59 inch) anti-roll bar. The steering system is rack and pinion, and power assisted. There’s no noticeable torque steer at anytime either, which makes for controlled full throttle acceleration. Building the cars image up even further is a winning drive train combination. Base Sonatas receive a rev-happy 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, with all the technologically advanced trappings of its Japanese counterparts. Counter-rotating balancing shafts make it so smooth at idle, that my colleague and I had trouble determining if it was actually running. A quick stab at the throttle confirmed it was primed and ready for action, a realization that was immediately backed up by a willingness to perform. I found the base model, with the 5-speed manual, as enjoyable to drive as the five-speed automatic-equipped 3.3-liter V6, but for different reasons. First, I love do-it-yourself gearboxes, and the Sonatas is a real treat. The clutch associated with it is also extremely easy to operate, a touch on the light side, but this should be appreciated by the majority of users. Its 162-horsepower moved the large car along at a brisk pace, not as quickly as the V6, of course, but plenty fast for even an above average, or maybe I should rephrase, enthusiastic driver. The engine makes 164 lb-ft of torque, which makes tractability with an automatic quite decent as well, and the base four-speed unit features Sportronic manual-mode, unusual for base engines in the midsize sedan class. The autobox is ultra-smooth during shifting too, while shifting down when needed for passing without hesitation. The five-speed automatic and 3.3-liter V6 is an even smoother combination, while delivering up all the motivation needed to hustle the big sedan down the road at a brisk pace. A maximum of 235-horsepower is available at 6,000 rpm, with a full 226 lb-ft of torque coming on at a very tractable 3,500 rpm, which all translates into an extremely energetic car off the line or while passing on the highway. Its continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) system optimizes power delivery as well as fuel economy, which in base GL trim with a five-speed manual equals a stellar 25 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. I think what makes the Sonatas performance and fuel economy numbers so impressive is the sheer size of the car. Yes, its larger than any of its main competitors despite looking efficiently sized, especially noticeable inside the cabin. A person can positively stretch out in back and there’s so much headroom that I heard no complaints of cramped quarters during the launch. Its trunk is also gigantic at 16.3 cubic feet. The trunk lid pulls up high and out of the way, creating a large opening capable of swallowing more than most of its competitors. The rear seatbacks fold flat too, which makes for a very utilitarian hauler when called upon. Hydraulic motor mounts, generous use of sound deadening materials and that compliant suspension make sure that the Sonatas cabin is as quiet as it is comfortable, no matter the velocity or road surface conditions. The car was so refined that it has me quite certain the Korean brand could one day soon take on the best in the business with a premium product, mirroring what Toyota did with Lexus fifteen years ago. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The Sonata isn’t about to dissuade any Lexus ES 330 buyers away from their trusted brand, but it no doubt will continue to shake up the Japanese status quo as its predecessor did. This last point was made crystal clear when the brands Hyundai Sonata was awarded top Entry Midsize Car in the 2004 J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which came out last year. In the same U.S.-based survey, the Hyundai nameplate ranked 7th out of 37 brands with 102 problems per 100 vehicles, which was second among entry-level brands behind 4th place Honda, with 99 problems per 100 vehicles, and 9th place Toyota, with 104 problems per 100. While J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) showed Hyundai near the bottom of the barrel, ranked in 32nd of 37 nameplates, with 375 problems per 100 vehicles, the study surveys owners of three year old vehicles, and doesn’t necessarily reflect the ownership experience a new 2005 model year buyer can expect. Rather, the brands rise in J.D. Powers IQS, placing it ahead of Toyota, is a sign that its VDS scores are about to dramatically improve as well. Driving this point home is a new survey by another independent and highly influential organization, Consumer Reports magazine, which rates the Sonata highly to say the least. With only 2 problems for every 100 vehicles sold, Consumer Reports has dubbed the 2004 Sonata the "single most reliable vehicle" available in the U.S. This Consumer Reports rating, of course, has the Sonata besting Hondas Accord and Toyotas Camry for top dependability honors, as well as every other midsize rival on the market. The Hyundai brand overall is also the entry-level class leader at 11 problems per 100 vehicles, tied with luxury nameplates Lexus, made by Toyota, and Infiniti, Nissans premium division. So how did Consumer Reports arrive at its decision? It surveyed its subscribers and came up with more than 810,000 responses of car owners and lessees, which incidentally is about 20 percent more than last years 675,000 respondents. This total is the greatest number of car owners surveyed by any independent organization, J. D. Power and Associates included, making the results all the more satisfying for Hyundai’s team of executives and employees as well as its many Sonata owners. You’d think that with North Americas most reliable vehicle Hyundai could charge a premium, but the opposite is true. The well-equipped base GL will start at only $17,895, and feature air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, keyless entry with an alarm, power heated exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, active headrests, six airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control, and more, all standard. It only takes an extra $900 for an automatic, or $1,500 for the GLS 4-cylinder model, that includes the automatic gearbox, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, drivers seat lumbar support, automatic light control, trip computer, premium door sill plates, floor mats and fog lights. The GLS is also equipped with chrome window belt molding, metal-grain interior trim accents (with gray interior) or wood grain interior trim accents (with beige interior), and 16-inch alloy wheels - 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers and Michelin MXV tires are standard on the GL. An additional package adds a power glass sunroof and power driver’s seat and an electro chromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with Home Link and a compass. The GLS V6, at $20,895, adds the upgraded engine and transmission, of course, plus all option package items offered with the top-line 4-cylinder model. An additional Premium-Sport package includes the power/tilt sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheel/Michelin Pilot tire package, power driver’s seat and an electro chromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with Home Link and a compass. The top-line LX, starting at $22,895, includes everything offered in the other packages as standard equipment, plus leather seats with heated cushions up front, a powered driver’s seat, wood grain interior accents, a comfortable sliding center armrest between the two front seats, a telescopic steering wheel, and solar control glass. Also included are adjustable foot pedals, automatic climate control with air filtration, an electronic chromic mirror, a trip computer and Home link system with an integrated compass. Additionally, a package can be added which includes the power/tilt sunroof and a CD changer with subwoofer and component amplifier. Altogether, a fully loaded Sonata LX comes at a price where most of its rivals are merely warming up. Truly, opt for similar features with Accord, Altima or Camry, and you’ll be paying at least $4,000 more. Yes, Hyundai’s rivals had better keep a sharp lookout for the rising South Korean automaker, both here at home and abroad. The South Korean automaker wont catch up to the Japanese giants global dominance for quite some time, or maybe never, but Hyundai will be a constant thorn in Toyotas side as it vies for many of the same customers by offering top-tier reliability, attractive styling, and with the addition of its upcoming all-new 2006 Sonata, enhanced performance and superb interior quality. The brands low prices and better than average warranty won’t hurt its prospects either. I’m not going to go so far as to say the Sonata is the hands-down class leader, because there are too many good cars in the midsize class, with varying biases toward sport and/or comfort. The Sonata is, however, one of the best at balancing the sport/comfort equation, and therefore should find an ever increasing following. Opt for similar features with Accord, Altima or Camry, and you’ll be paying at least $4,000 more. Yes, Hyundai’s rivals had better keep a sharp lookout for the rising South Korean automaker, both here at home and abroad. The South Korean automaker wont catch up to the Japanese giants global dominance for quite some time, or maybe never, but Hyundai will be a constant thorn in Toyotas side as it vies for many of the same customers by offering top-tier reliability, attractive styling, and with the addition of its upcoming all-new 2006 Sonata, enhanced performance and superb interior quality. The brands low prices and better than average warranty won’t hurt its prospects either. Source: http://www.automobile.com