Most of the materials used for the cabin of the Sonata, regardless of trim, are now leaps and bounds ahead of GM and some Ford products. My only gripe is with the lower portion of the dashboard which maintains the same old cheap hard plastic for cost cutting measures. Hyundai is so close to having a totally top-notch car, why not spend an extra $50 per car to improve this slight irritant. Another annoyance is the chimes that go off when the lights are on or when the door is open: they are piercing and aggravating.
Technical
There are 2 available engines. The first is a 2.4L I4-cylinder that develops 162 hp at 5 800 rpm and 164 lb/ft of torque at 4 250 rpm. The other is a more powerful DOHC 3.3L V6 that puts out 235 hp at 6 000 rpm and 226
lb/ft of torque at 3 500 rpm. Transmission choices vary between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic with the 4-cylinder. The V6 gets a 5-speed automatic. Both automatics have a manual mode called Shiftronic. The Sonata is driven by the front wheels, has 4-wheel disc brakes and a fully independent suspension. Base GL models are shod with 16" wheels, either steel with covers or alloy. The GLS receives handsome 17" 5-spoke alloy wheels, which are optional with the base V6.
On the road
I have driven cars with both engines and although the V6 provides quicker accelerations, the 4 cylinder is the more reasonable. The 2.4L is very smooth and especially quiet. Although sprinting may not be its speciality, it can still tug the big sedan with enough ease. The 3.3L delivers its power in a linear and predictable motion. To say that the Sonata is fast is not so far from the truth. It will easily out accelerate a Camry or a Pontiac G6 and just about keep pace with the Accord and Altima. I was not impressed by the fuel consumption numbers though. I managed mid-10L / 100 km with the 4 and 12.5L with the V6.
Both the 4 and 5-speed automatic gearboxes are a little lazy; they are slow to react and I even noticed them doing a little hunting during gear changes. I would ask Hyundai to add a 5th gear to the transmission for
the 4 cylinder to improve response and fuel economy. When the transmissions are not rushed, they operate efficiently.
The Sonata's brakes are strong and response is quite nice. They have nothing to envy from the other cars in the segment. Steering is smartly assisted however the on-center feel is a little vague. The Sonata does not feel its size which is good and it is very manoeuvrable. The car drives smoothly and comfortably in general except when going over average-sized bumps where the suspension feels over eager to get you out of the hole.
Safety
The Sonata has standard dual front, side and side curtain air bags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (standard with V6, optional with 4-cylinder), active headrests and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has recently announced the test results of the Sonata and it quite simply got a perfect result in every respect. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has yet to crash test the 2006 Sonata.
Technical
There are 2 available engines. The first is a 2.4L I4-cylinder that develops 162 hp at 5 800 rpm and 164 lb/ft of torque at 4 250 rpm. The other is a more powerful DOHC 3.3L V6 that puts out 235 hp at 6 000 rpm and 226
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On the road
I have driven cars with both engines and although the V6 provides quicker accelerations, the 4 cylinder is the more reasonable. The 2.4L is very smooth and especially quiet. Although sprinting may not be its speciality, it can still tug the big sedan with enough ease. The 3.3L delivers its power in a linear and predictable motion. To say that the Sonata is fast is not so far from the truth. It will easily out accelerate a Camry or a Pontiac G6 and just about keep pace with the Accord and Altima. I was not impressed by the fuel consumption numbers though. I managed mid-10L / 100 km with the 4 and 12.5L with the V6.
Both the 4 and 5-speed automatic gearboxes are a little lazy; they are slow to react and I even noticed them doing a little hunting during gear changes. I would ask Hyundai to add a 5th gear to the transmission for
 |
The Sonata's brakes are strong and response is quite nice. They have nothing to envy from the other cars in the segment. Steering is smartly assisted however the on-center feel is a little vague. The Sonata does not feel its size which is good and it is very manoeuvrable. The car drives smoothly and comfortably in general except when going over average-sized bumps where the suspension feels over eager to get you out of the hole.
Safety
The Sonata has standard dual front, side and side curtain air bags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (standard with V6, optional with 4-cylinder), active headrests and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has recently announced the test results of the Sonata and it quite simply got a perfect result in every respect. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has yet to crash test the 2006 Sonata.