2006 Hyundai Sonata Review

Specifications

Its All About Value for Your Money

It seems like more than two weeks has past since we last updated our long-term Sonata GLS V6, but nevertheless time has passed quickly and another update is upon us. Alexandra did eventually return it with just a little more than 4,232 miles on the odometer, the final tally of our January 21st review, and it actually came back cleaner than when it went out - nicely done Alexandra. Now, two weeks later, and after regular use within the Hofmann household, it is less than pristine, with an exterior wash and interior shampoo seemingly in order.

And on that note, while the car has seen extensive use over the last couple of weeks, it hasnt gone very far. Mostly start and stop driving too and from the school, whenever we feel too lazy to walk them there, plus jaunts to the community centre for “stomp” classes and indoor soccer, as well as regular trips to the grocery store, of course. Again, the Sonata has been so stalwartly reliable that its almost boring, but then again, memories of distributor caps and corroded points arent so distant that Im not forever grateful for modern civilities.

The odometer now reads 4,396 miles, which means a total of 163 miles have accumulated in a two week period where the longest drive was to the airport long-term parking lot and back, after three days of idleness - the car, not your faithful managing editor.

And now, for the logs:

Odometer: 4,235 miles

Alexandra: Brought the Sonata back to Trevors house, and enjoyed a longer drive than usual now that Ive moved into the city. For a fairly large car, its quite maneuverable in city traffic, and relatively easy to park in the alley behind my apartment. Thats one of the things I like best about the Sonata, actually. Its so easy to drive. Where other cars seem ponderous, like youre moving some immense weight around all the time, the Sonata feels light on its feet, so to speak; a car that doesnt wear me out after an hours drive.

Odometer: 4,248 miles

Jennifer: Once again, good to have the Sonata back. I liked Acuras new CSX, but as mentioned before, its a little on the small size. I need the room of the Sonata, especially in the rear seating area. Its just so practical… just like my dear hubby… NOT!

Odometer: 4,269 miles

Trevor: Hey, I see a need to defend myself here. Im slowly becoming that family guy that Jennifer wants. I now prefer solid and dependable over exciting and stylish, although the V6-powered Sonata delivers on all fronts. Its just so much easier than other cars to live with on a day to day basis that I hardly look forward to testing other cars, often carrying a higher price tag and superior performance credentials, as much as I used to.

Odometer: 4,296 miles

Jennifer: Hmmm… has Hyundai made a pragmatic out of my head-in-the-clouds (or in the sand) husband? When I met him his mode of transport was an on-again, but mostly off-again 67 Maserati (he told me he also had a minivan but it was being rented by an older couple touring the west coast). Sure, good line… I thought to myself; that is until the older couple returned his Dodge Caravan. OK, he has a responsible side to him when it comes to other appliances, but it doesnt surface often when it comes to cars. Now Hyundai, do you have something for him thats a bit slower?

Odometer: 4,308 miles

Trevor: Hey, dont give Hyundais PR department any ideas; Im happy with the V6 thanks. And didnt you know that a powerful engine can also help to avoid accidents, if used correctly? Its true.

Odometer: 4,321 miles

Trevor: It certainly is nice leaving for the airport with time to spare, for a change. I took the Sonata, despite Jennifers protests, because Im leaving in the early AM on a Monday, the day that Alexandra and Steve swap our press cars around, and I cant exactly have them pick up one of the weekly rides at the airport parking lot. Instead of my usual mad dash to the friendly skies, yes, Im flying United to Arizona; I have enough time to write down my thoughts while sitting in the car, waiting for the shuttle bus.

Odometer: 4,361 miles

Just drove home from the airport after an interesting trip testing out Dodges new Caliber compact five-door. By the time you read this it will already be published, so Ill forgo making any comments here and just refer you to the road test section under Dodge. The trip down to Phoenix was pretty harrowing, by the way, a two-leg journey that saw my first flight get cancelled and next one rerouted from San Francisco to Denver, and therefore estimated time of arrival increased by four hours (so much for laying around Scottsdale enjoying the sun by the pool). Four pm became six pm after our pilot had to abort a takeoff, the first time Id ever experienced this, when a gust of wind sent the widebody jet fishtailing down the runway at near liftoff speeds - unsettling to say the least. The brakes were cooked, so we had to wait awhile for them to cool down. Fortunately, my ride to and from the airport was less eventful, with only the need to dodge storm-level raindrops in an effort to minimize any soaking effect on my lightweight jacket (I packed for the desert after all) getting my heart-rate up. Rather, once inside I simply cranked up the defog setting on the simple HVAC unit, pressed the seat heater button on the lower console, and set my mind to warmer climes while relaxing tunes resonated from the audio system - its going to be tough getting back into the literal flow of the North Wests wet coast climate after a couple of short-lived days in Scottsdale.

Odometer: 4,384 miles

Jennifer: Once again its good to have the Sonata back. I must be sounding like a stuck record, but this is almost always how I feel when it gets returned home. Ive been “slumming” it over the last week with a new Passat 2.0T and, before that, a new Volvo S60 SE. The Passat, while a lot nicer inside than its predecessor, was a little too tight in the rear seat for the child safety seats. They fit in, of course, but fastening the seatbelts into their buckles forced me to almost lie across the kids, as there was less room in between the front seatbacks and their legs, plus the seatbelts were a little fussier to deal with. While I like the way the Passats interior is put together more than the Sonatas, at least all the luxury touches that Im sure VW buyers are made to pay for, its less accommodating rear seat make it less appealing to me. I also found its five-cylinder turbocharged engine to be a bit less refined feeling than the Sonatas smooth, powerful V6. Then, when Trevor told me the Passat 2.0T, with all of its features costs more than $32,000, and that our long-term Sonata is priced at about $22,000, I couldnt believe it. I mean, do the math. For $10,000, I could buy another economy car or a lot of really nice clothing plus hit the spa every week for… years. After all, lets get our priorities right! The Volvo 2.5T AWD we had costs even more, with a base price of $32,045, not to mention options. It looks great and is nice to drive other than its absolutely pathetic turning radius and rather gutless performance, well, at least when compared to the Sonata. So, let me get this straight. At just over $22K, I get a fast car with a smoother shifting five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, more interior room and vastly greater trunk room, a more compliant ride that doesnt seem any less capable when the road starts to twist, that two cars that cost tens of thousands more when similarly equipped. OK, that makes sense. Buy the Hyundai.

Odometer: 4,392 miles

Trevor: I couldnt agree with Jennifer more, but that was an extremely lengthy entry from someone who is usually much less verbose. Where I differ is that the difference between the Sonata and Passats interior is night and day, with the Passat winning from a design and general materials quality perspective. The Sonatas fit and finish is excellent, but the Passat moves “entry-level” midsize cars to an entirely different level, being better executed inside than many in the premium segment; that Volvo S60 included. But would I choose such niceties over the Sonatas stellar reliability, full assortment of safety features and, lest I forget, massive price discount. My personal income would probably force me to live with the Sonata either way, but being that it is made so well, and delivers such an exceptional balance of driving refinement and performance, plus increases interior roominess to large car status, I would have to opt for the Sonata. Its the smarter buy, and when it comes down to it I rarely go wrong when I use my head to think, instead of some other appendage.

Odometer: 4,394 miles

Jennifer: Hes starting to sound almost responsible (shock).

Odometer: 4,396 miles

Trevor: Stop it. Im not that bad, dont listen to her. While Jennifer is totally and completely honest, unless theres half a chance that bending the truth will result in a more humorous story, we both at least agree that the Sonata combines excellent styling, interior accommodations, performance, refinement, safety and reliability attributes into a nice, value-packed family sedan. Its going to be hard to let it go, but alas, that time is nearing.