2006 Sonata
- Size: Midsize
- Engine Size: 2.4L - 4 Cylinders 3.3L - 6 Cylinders
- Model: Sonata
- Year: 2006
- Class: Sedan
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As good as the 2006 Honda Accord?
Pros
Price, Acceleration, Refinement, Fuel Economy
Cons
Some interior quality control issues, Generic styling.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A great family sedan for a great price..
The 2006 Sonata represents the first release of an entirely new fleet of Hyundai sedans. An all-new Accent, Elantra, and a brand new addition to the Hyundai line titled "Azera" will all join the Sonata later this fall. The 2006 Sonata has changed dramatically, but has is it changed enough to finally compete with the likes of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry?
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is available in four trim levels; GL, GLS, GLS V6, and LX V6. While the base GL and GLS come with a merely adequate 162 horsepower 4-cylinder, the GLS V6 and LX come standard with a new 3.3-liter DOHC V6. This new engine cranks out a whopping 235 horsepower, making it the most powerful Hyundai sold in the US. The only transmission available with the V6 equipped trim levels is a smooth 5-speed automatic with sport-shift (1 gear more than last year's 4-speed automatic). If you are looking for a manual transmission you will have to settle with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder GL, which offers a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment.
Driving Impressions:
Though the 2.7-liter V6 in last year's Sonata did an adequate moving its mass without too much complaint, it wasn't at all in the same league as the V6's equipped in the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, or the Toyota Camry. With the all-new 3.3 liter DOHC V6, the Sonata no longer has that submissive attitude that made it such a ho-hum sedan. Step on the throttle at a light and the Sonata moves with the great prowess of any Japanese V6 family sedan. With a 0-60 time of 7 seconds flat (Car and Driver, 2005), the new V6 equipped Sonata is almost 3 seconds faster to 60 than its 2.7-liter equipped predecessor. Not only is the Sonata quick, but it accelerates with the finesse that you typically don't find in a sub 24k family car. The sound from the Sonata's dual exhaust is muted (perhaps too muted) and the engine is more than happy to go all the way to its 6,500-RPM redline.
The 3.3-liter V6 in the Sonata LX is not just a snappy little engine, it's also extremely smooth; especially when compared to cars like the Ford Five Hundred and Chevrolet Impala. When stabbing the throttle from a stop, the Sonata LX moves without a single complaint from its engine or transmission; not exactly commonplace from a midsize car made by Hyundai.
The 2006 Sonata hasn't just improved when it comes to acceleration, it's also a more capable highway cruiser. The Sonata absorbs bumps and general road imperfections extremely well; nothing in the cabin rattles and harsh jolts are finally a thing of the past. Wind, engine, and general road noises are also kept devoid from the cabin. Even at speeds upwards of 80 MPH the Sonata feels just as quiet and refined as an Accord EX V6.
Hyundai, in general, hasn't provided its family cars with the smoothest automatic transmissions in the world. Although the 2002-2005 Sonata did come with a decent automatic tranny, that transmission still lacked the quick shifting of the automatics found in the Accord and Camry. With the all-new 5-speed automatic transmission (with sport shift), shifting is both quick and smooth. The only slight gripe I have with this transmission is its reluctantly to downshift when flooring the throttle at low speeds. Nonetheless, under normal driving conditions the Sonata's transmission almost always feels like it's in the right gear.
The Sonata's handling attributes are a bit stronger this year over last year's V6 models, but the Sonata is still no sports sedan. Even with the LX's larger 17" wheels versus the GLS's 16" wheels, the Sonata rolls too much in turns, the steering is lifeless, and overall the LX V6 still feels exactly the way it looks on twisty roads; like a big family car. If you are looking for a better handling family sedan or wagon, I highly suggest checking out the '05 Mazda6s or the offerings from Subaru. For some added support on tricky roads, the Sonata comes with electronic stability control. Also, to make sure the Sonata can stop just as good as it can go, Hyundai has given this car powerful 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS as standard equipment.
The extra 65 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque this year makes the Sonata more than just a car good for cruising on flat surfaces and in town. The V6 equipped Sonata can now claim to be just as good of a hill climber as the Accord V6 and an even better hill climber than the Camry 3.0. Last year I recommended those who lived in mountainous terrain to avoid the Sonata due to its somewhat lackadaisical engine; this isn't the case at all with the '06 model. The '06 Sonata LX will climb the steepest terrain without any problems.
Usually an increase in horsepower and torque means reduced fuel economy; this isn't so with the 2006 Sonata LX. Despite the Sonata gaining 0.6 liters and 65 more horsepower, the EPA rates the 2006 V6 LX at 20/30 versus the 19/27 it got with last year's smaller 2.7-liter V6. This new and improved EPA number finally gives Sonata equal fuel numbers as the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry V6, and beats the Altima 3.5 SL by almost 3 MPG on the highway.
Interior:
The Sonata's materials have improved drastically over its predecessor, however the '06 Sonata LX still suffers from cheap plastics. The good thing, though, is that Hyundai has completely disguised these cheap plastics with a wonderful two tone dash that looks very upscale. Hyundai has also given the Sonata LX V6 comfy leather seats with just enough bolstering. The overly glossy simulated wood grain that was found in last year's Sonata has been totally redesigned this year. I am usually not a fan of wood grain due to the cheapening effect it has on many economy cars, but the simulated wood in the Sonata LX looks stylish and upscale. Please note that wood grain is only available in Sonata's with tan leather seating, gray cloth and leather get titanium accents instead.
The Sonata also boasts a well-organized interior. Most of the buttons and controls are logically located for easy adjusting. The only slight gripe I have with this interior, other than the plastics, is the location of the stereo. Hyundai has put its sound system on the top of the center stack (even above the HVAC vents) which make it a bit awkward when attempting to make stereo adjustments.
Seating in the Sonata has consistently improved over each generation and for the 2006 model year the seats in this car are just about perfect. While more support would have been welcomed, the LX's leather seats are comfy and do an adequate job keeping the drive in once place. Thanks to the LX's standard (heated) 8-way power seats, getting in the perfect driving position is also very easy. The rear seats are 60/40 split bench seats also provide good comfort.
Interior room is very good for a family sedan. Hyundai has made the new Sonata bigger than last year's, so much so that the EPA classified it as a "large car" versus the midsize rating it got last year. All this relates to plenty of head and leg room; not only for the front occupants, but also for the rear passengers. Stowage space is also excellent. The 2006 Sonata offers cubbies throughout its cabin and enough trunk space to cater to a large shopping spree.
Like the Accord EX and the Camry XLE, the Sonata LX comes with loads of standard amenities, especially considering this is a car with an MSRP less than 23,000 dollars. Some noteworthy standard amenities in my LX included cruise control, a leather tilting steering wheel with audio controls, a 6-speaker CD player, 6 air bags, heated mirrors, 4 cup holders, auto temp controls with air quality control, fog lights, power everything, and much more. For more info on optional and standard LX features, I highly suggest checking out Hyundaiusa.com, as there are far too many cool features to list here.
Exterior:
Hyundai has always been one to copy other companies' designs. Last year the Sonata took styling cues from the Jaguar S-Type and the Mercedes C Class, while this year it takes styling cues from just about every Honda and Chevrolet product on the market. Though unoriginal in design, Hyundai has made the 2006 Sonata a handsome vehicle. The new design is no head-turner by any stretch of the imagination, but with its attractive 17" alloy rims, a bold profile, and Japanese influenced rear-end; to the untrained eye the Sonata can definitely be confused with a higher priced sedan. To segregate the V6 models from the 4-cylinder models, Hyundai gives the V6 LX and GLS two wide exhaust pipes that help give the Sonata a slightly more aggressive look.
Price and Warranty:
The 2005 Sonata GL has a starting MSRP just south of 18,000. For the top of the line LX, expect to pay around 23,000 (add 1,400 dollars if you want a sunroof). The LX I drove (with no options) came to just over 23 grand. In comparison to the Sonata's competition, a fully loaded Sonata LX will run you about $3,000 less than a comparably equipped Honda Accord EX V6, 5,000 dollars less than a comparably equipped Nissan Altima SL, and about 5,000 dollars less than a 3.0 V6 Camry XLE. If anything goes wrong with your 2006 Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai offers an excellent warranty; 6-year/60,000 mile full coverage and 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain coverage.
Final Thoughts:
So, is the new Sonata just as good as the Accord? In some respects the 2006 Sonata is just as good if not better than the Accord, i.e. engine refinement, performance, interior styling, exterior styling, etc. The only shortcoming I see with the Sonata versus an Accord would be the only average resale value of the Sonata and the cheap interior plastics. That said, the Sonata can finally compete with the Accord, the Camry, and the Altima. If you are looking for an inexpensive family sedan I recommend the 2006 Sonata LX 100%.
Note: Looking for a more refined family sedan? Check out my review on the 2008 Honda Accord
Thanks for reading!
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is available in four trim levels; GL, GLS, GLS V6, and LX V6. While the base GL and GLS come with a merely adequate 162 horsepower 4-cylinder, the GLS V6 and LX come standard with a new 3.3-liter DOHC V6. This new engine cranks out a whopping 235 horsepower, making it the most powerful Hyundai sold in the US. The only transmission available with the V6 equipped trim levels is a smooth 5-speed automatic with sport-shift (1 gear more than last year's 4-speed automatic). If you are looking for a manual transmission you will have to settle with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder GL, which offers a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment.
Driving Impressions:
Though the 2.7-liter V6 in last year's Sonata did an adequate moving its mass without too much complaint, it wasn't at all in the same league as the V6's equipped in the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, or the Toyota Camry. With the all-new 3.3 liter DOHC V6, the Sonata no longer has that submissive attitude that made it such a ho-hum sedan. Step on the throttle at a light and the Sonata moves with the great prowess of any Japanese V6 family sedan. With a 0-60 time of 7 seconds flat (Car and Driver, 2005), the new V6 equipped Sonata is almost 3 seconds faster to 60 than its 2.7-liter equipped predecessor. Not only is the Sonata quick, but it accelerates with the finesse that you typically don't find in a sub 24k family car. The sound from the Sonata's dual exhaust is muted (perhaps too muted) and the engine is more than happy to go all the way to its 6,500-RPM redline.
The 3.3-liter V6 in the Sonata LX is not just a snappy little engine, it's also extremely smooth; especially when compared to cars like the Ford Five Hundred and Chevrolet Impala. When stabbing the throttle from a stop, the Sonata LX moves without a single complaint from its engine or transmission; not exactly commonplace from a midsize car made by Hyundai.
The 2006 Sonata hasn't just improved when it comes to acceleration, it's also a more capable highway cruiser. The Sonata absorbs bumps and general road imperfections extremely well; nothing in the cabin rattles and harsh jolts are finally a thing of the past. Wind, engine, and general road noises are also kept devoid from the cabin. Even at speeds upwards of 80 MPH the Sonata feels just as quiet and refined as an Accord EX V6.
Hyundai, in general, hasn't provided its family cars with the smoothest automatic transmissions in the world. Although the 2002-2005 Sonata did come with a decent automatic tranny, that transmission still lacked the quick shifting of the automatics found in the Accord and Camry. With the all-new 5-speed automatic transmission (with sport shift), shifting is both quick and smooth. The only slight gripe I have with this transmission is its reluctantly to downshift when flooring the throttle at low speeds. Nonetheless, under normal driving conditions the Sonata's transmission almost always feels like it's in the right gear.
The Sonata's handling attributes are a bit stronger this year over last year's V6 models, but the Sonata is still no sports sedan. Even with the LX's larger 17" wheels versus the GLS's 16" wheels, the Sonata rolls too much in turns, the steering is lifeless, and overall the LX V6 still feels exactly the way it looks on twisty roads; like a big family car. If you are looking for a better handling family sedan or wagon, I highly suggest checking out the '05 Mazda6s or the offerings from Subaru. For some added support on tricky roads, the Sonata comes with electronic stability control. Also, to make sure the Sonata can stop just as good as it can go, Hyundai has given this car powerful 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS as standard equipment.
The extra 65 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque this year makes the Sonata more than just a car good for cruising on flat surfaces and in town. The V6 equipped Sonata can now claim to be just as good of a hill climber as the Accord V6 and an even better hill climber than the Camry 3.0. Last year I recommended those who lived in mountainous terrain to avoid the Sonata due to its somewhat lackadaisical engine; this isn't the case at all with the '06 model. The '06 Sonata LX will climb the steepest terrain without any problems.
Usually an increase in horsepower and torque means reduced fuel economy; this isn't so with the 2006 Sonata LX. Despite the Sonata gaining 0.6 liters and 65 more horsepower, the EPA rates the 2006 V6 LX at 20/30 versus the 19/27 it got with last year's smaller 2.7-liter V6. This new and improved EPA number finally gives Sonata equal fuel numbers as the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry V6, and beats the Altima 3.5 SL by almost 3 MPG on the highway.
Interior:
The Sonata's materials have improved drastically over its predecessor, however the '06 Sonata LX still suffers from cheap plastics. The good thing, though, is that Hyundai has completely disguised these cheap plastics with a wonderful two tone dash that looks very upscale. Hyundai has also given the Sonata LX V6 comfy leather seats with just enough bolstering. The overly glossy simulated wood grain that was found in last year's Sonata has been totally redesigned this year. I am usually not a fan of wood grain due to the cheapening effect it has on many economy cars, but the simulated wood in the Sonata LX looks stylish and upscale. Please note that wood grain is only available in Sonata's with tan leather seating, gray cloth and leather get titanium accents instead.
The Sonata also boasts a well-organized interior. Most of the buttons and controls are logically located for easy adjusting. The only slight gripe I have with this interior, other than the plastics, is the location of the stereo. Hyundai has put its sound system on the top of the center stack (even above the HVAC vents) which make it a bit awkward when attempting to make stereo adjustments.
Seating in the Sonata has consistently improved over each generation and for the 2006 model year the seats in this car are just about perfect. While more support would have been welcomed, the LX's leather seats are comfy and do an adequate job keeping the drive in once place. Thanks to the LX's standard (heated) 8-way power seats, getting in the perfect driving position is also very easy. The rear seats are 60/40 split bench seats also provide good comfort.
Interior room is very good for a family sedan. Hyundai has made the new Sonata bigger than last year's, so much so that the EPA classified it as a "large car" versus the midsize rating it got last year. All this relates to plenty of head and leg room; not only for the front occupants, but also for the rear passengers. Stowage space is also excellent. The 2006 Sonata offers cubbies throughout its cabin and enough trunk space to cater to a large shopping spree.
Like the Accord EX and the Camry XLE, the Sonata LX comes with loads of standard amenities, especially considering this is a car with an MSRP less than 23,000 dollars. Some noteworthy standard amenities in my LX included cruise control, a leather tilting steering wheel with audio controls, a 6-speaker CD player, 6 air bags, heated mirrors, 4 cup holders, auto temp controls with air quality control, fog lights, power everything, and much more. For more info on optional and standard LX features, I highly suggest checking out Hyundaiusa.com, as there are far too many cool features to list here.
Exterior:
Hyundai has always been one to copy other companies' designs. Last year the Sonata took styling cues from the Jaguar S-Type and the Mercedes C Class, while this year it takes styling cues from just about every Honda and Chevrolet product on the market. Though unoriginal in design, Hyundai has made the 2006 Sonata a handsome vehicle. The new design is no head-turner by any stretch of the imagination, but with its attractive 17" alloy rims, a bold profile, and Japanese influenced rear-end; to the untrained eye the Sonata can definitely be confused with a higher priced sedan. To segregate the V6 models from the 4-cylinder models, Hyundai gives the V6 LX and GLS two wide exhaust pipes that help give the Sonata a slightly more aggressive look.
Price and Warranty:
The 2005 Sonata GL has a starting MSRP just south of 18,000. For the top of the line LX, expect to pay around 23,000 (add 1,400 dollars if you want a sunroof). The LX I drove (with no options) came to just over 23 grand. In comparison to the Sonata's competition, a fully loaded Sonata LX will run you about $3,000 less than a comparably equipped Honda Accord EX V6, 5,000 dollars less than a comparably equipped Nissan Altima SL, and about 5,000 dollars less than a 3.0 V6 Camry XLE. If anything goes wrong with your 2006 Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai offers an excellent warranty; 6-year/60,000 mile full coverage and 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain coverage.
Final Thoughts:
So, is the new Sonata just as good as the Accord? In some respects the 2006 Sonata is just as good if not better than the Accord, i.e. engine refinement, performance, interior styling, exterior styling, etc. The only shortcoming I see with the Sonata versus an Accord would be the only average resale value of the Sonata and the cheap interior plastics. That said, the Sonata can finally compete with the Accord, the Camry, and the Altima. If you are looking for an inexpensive family sedan I recommend the 2006 Sonata LX 100%.
Note: Looking for a more refined family sedan? Check out my review on the 2008 Honda Accord
Thanks for reading!
