Posted: Wednesday, October 19, 2005.

Upgraded, upsized, and upscaled: Hyundai Sonata

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Tony Hyundai

Last year’s edition of Sonata was just below the dead center of the car market — that is, the 4 door, 5 passenger sedan represented by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry among about 42 others.

The 2006 Sonata is not only all-new, but is aimed at the heart of the American market for best selling sedans. And speaking of America, the Sonata V-6 is being produced in Hyundai’s brand new billion-dollar plant in Alabama.

With a stretch of dimensions here and there (2 inches longer, an inch wider, and 2 inches higher), the Sonata is within fractions of inches in the overall size of the Accord and Camry. Likewise, the powerplants are also on parallel courses.

Just like the other two, 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder motors are offered. All three have 2.4 liter inline 4s developing about 160 horsepower. In V-6 land there are some marginal differences, but the Hyundai unit has a brand new 3.3 liter V-6 with 235 horsepower, which is 5 hp either way of the big two.

Besides mimicking the main competitors, Hyundai is aggressively pricing the Sonata and will, of course, continue with one of the best warranties in the business.

Safety is not left off the menu either. Every Sonata comes with electronic stability control and 6 airbags, which includes side curtains and side impact bags. So-called active head restraints also are standard, and they help prevent whiplash injuries.

Pricing starts at $18,500 for the base GL, which is not so base in features. (See specs). Prices and features step up with the GLS middle child and the high end LX.

High Hyundai
An absolutely loaded LX V6 with an automatic transmission (starting at $22,895) with two options (sunroof at $850 and 6 CD player at $550) was the Wheels test unit. (Out the door MSRP was $24,895).

Certainly, the styling of the Sonata is better than the last edition, which could be described as forgettable. But equally as clear, the new look is very clean and proportional but very much Honda Accord like, particularly the rear quarter and taillights.

Inside, a two-tone belt of material runs from the door panels across the dash separated on the dash with wood and metal. Likewise, wood (or a good imitation of wood) surrounds the auto air conditioning controls and console. Various forms of the metallic looking pieces are found around the gearshift lever, in the dash, console and door panels.

Separating the bucket seats is a double opening armrest/storage unit with a sliding top. On the tilt/telescope steering wheel buttons for both the stereo and cruise functions are found. Buttons to open the trunk and fuel door are mounted on the driver’s door panel.

Stepping On Up
The cabin at nearly any speed is quiet and tranquil. Contributing to this is the V-6, which generally maintains its composure throughout its entire rpm bandwidth. The fact that the engine is mounted on hydraulic motor mounts helps. Acceleration is not lacking by any means, and the V-6 does not hesitate when called into action.

The five-speed automatic is equally composed with nearly undetectable shifts. But like many vehicles today if the driver feels the need to control the gears, that option is available with use of the up and down shift mode with the gearshift lever. When the latter is in use, the gear selected is shown in the dash pod.

No attempt is made by Hyundai to claim a sport type ride in this Sonata redo. Again a compromise was sought with a smooth ride over road imperfections, yet the Sonata does not trip over itself in tight corners at speed.

Rated at 20 miles per gallon of fuel by the EPA for the city seems about right for the V-6. Readings varied from a low of 17 in heavy city traffic to a high of 28.6 reading with a Kailua to Mililani run. Most of the commute jaunts from the windward side to town and back netted 18 to 21 mpg.

Up front, the seats are very supportive and the leather and related materials throughout the cabin are of a very good quality and fit. All of the controls for the various features are logically laid out and simple to understand and operate. Particularly good is the auto air-conditioning dials and the small screen indicating the status of the system.

Rearward
With additional exterior dimensions comes better accommodations in the rear chamber, and the new Sonata certainly delivers there. Rear accommodations are quite good—both legroom and headroom for the taller of our society can be handled easily. A little tougher is the middle of the rear seat, but that fact is quite common in so called 5 seat sedans.

A large armrest with covered cupholders is found in the 60/40 split seat backs. Dropping the backs is very easy with a pull of a handle, and the headrests do not have to be removed in the process. No rear air vents are found in the B-pillars or the back of the console like so many others.

Mr. Trunk is fully lined and very large. It can be opening with the remote besides the key and button on the driver’s door panel.

More Than The Middle
With the brand new 2006 Sonata, Hyundai is taking on the toughest part of the market with over 40 competitors. In doing so, the Sonata packs in standard safety and other features at an attractive price point. Styling has been upgraded, but may be somewhat generic in the process. Certainly the powertrain changes and general quality of the product with its outstanding warranty package will give this newest Sonata a fighting chance.

Q&A
Q: In the doors of the Sonata is a somewhat usual "feature". What is it?

A: When you grab the door to shut it after you get in, the puka that you put your hand in has small ribs in it that match the spacing between your fingers so that you can grab it better, I guess.

High Beams
• Generally good upgrade all around.
• Silent and powerful V-6/ 5 speed automatic combo.
• Good looking and well put together interior on LX model.

Low Beams
• Copycat styling a little to generic.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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