2006 Hyundai Sonata LX V6
A Beauty

Susan Frissell
Women With Wheels

Chicago. Hyundai made a media stop in Chicago this week to show off its new edition to the family, the 2006 Sonata. From here, they will begin a five-city regional ride/drive to show off the all-new Sonata, their second product in a 24/7 blitz of new offerings. Sonata follows the compact Tucson sport-utility vehicle in what will be an introduction of seven new vehicles in 24 months. An all-new Accent will follow soon, as will a replacement for the XG350, in 2006. Hyundai is on a roll.

There are many good things to say about the 2006 Sonata. What a great car. A new look, new engine and new placement make it a very desirable package. Now a member of the "large" car category, Sonata raises the bar by remaining a "midsize" car yet, possessing the roominess of a "large" sedan.

The first product to roll off Hyundai’s all-new $1.1 billion dollar plant in Montgomery, Alabama, all Sonatas sold in the U.S. will eventually be built here. For now, some will be coming from Korea. Specifically designed to meet American’s needs and driving habits, the all-new Sonata has been percolating for three years.

Up against some pretty strong competition, Sonata will as before, go nose to nose with Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, Mazda6 and on another level, Ford Fusion and Mitsubishi Galant. In fact, Edmunds.com web site recently conducted a comparison of the new Sonata, Accord and Camry and Sonata came out on top. No surprise.

As in the past, Hyundai still faces the challenge of convincing consumers to step into their showroom and take a chance on an import that years before couldn’t live up to what it promised.

Not so today. Hyundai has met the challenge-head on-and a turnaround of products has, we think, brought to the market a very worthy contender. It seems to us that of late, the old standby imports have become lax, producing vehicles not up to snuff. Perhaps Hyundai can benefit by this (perceived) phenomenon, as consumers become itchy to try something new.

If you’re keeping up on survey results coming out of J.D. Power and Associates you’ll know that Hyundai is the fourth best selling import brand in America, and that they fall in the top three in the IQS survey. "Hard work and great products," they say.

We didn’t have a chance to drive the all-new 4-cylinder Sonata, but spent time in the V6 version. Sonata is available in showrooms now and comes in three trim levels: GL, GLS and LX. All three offer a large list of standard equipment; in fact, more than any other comparable vehicle, including a standard Satellite radio with the first three months service at no charge.

The V6 is only available with automatic transmission, no manual. The base GL’s standard engine is the 4-cylinder, the V6 not available. Accompanying GL’s 4-cylinder engine is the 5-sp manual transmission, with 4-sp. Shiftronic optional.

Our LX V6 test Sonata came "option-free," an unusual occurrence in a press vehicle. No matter, the list of standard equipment is endless, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS, Side curtain airbags, keyless entry with alarm, power windows, locks, mirrors, fog lights, floor mats, AMFM/CD/MP3 audio system, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (on the V6’s), cruise, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, 17-Euroflange alloy wheels, Homelink, sliding center armrest and lost of extra storage spaces, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, and on and on.

The standard engine on the new Sonata is a 4-cylinder Theta DOHC with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), 2.4-liter, with 162 horsepower. Pricing is as follows: GL 4-cyl., 5-speed: $17,895; GL 4-cyl, 4-sp. Shiftronic A/T: $18,795; GLS 4-cyl., 4-sp. Shiftronic A/T: $19,395; GLS 3.3-liter V6, 5-sp. Shiftronic A/T: $20,895; LX 3.3-liter V6, 5-sp. Shiftronic A/T: $22,895. Destination charge is $600.

Hyundai has priced the Sonata some $2,000-$4,000 below the competition, and includes some innovative features such as active front head restraints (standard), the Satellite radio and Electronic Stability Control with traction control.

Driving the Sonata is effortless; it’s quiet, smooth and easy to handle. Seating is comfortable and seats are adjustable for height and width concerns. The new Sonata’s cabin is roomy with plenty of headroom and legroom. The 4-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quietly, and with Shiftronic you can drive manually without a clutch. Hyundai has tightened up Sonata’s handling for ’06 (read: More sporty), improved cornering and made it more plush.

Due to Sonata’s shingle-style rear seat headrests, visibility has been improved. One needn’t be a contortionist to see oncoming traffic, as is the case with some vehicles. Sonata’s interior is larger, and its stance wider than its closest competitors. For 2006, Sonata has added two inches in length, two inches in height, and a one-inch longer wheelbase.

The 2005 Sonata sells about 60 percent V6 models. Hyundai expects this to be the same for the ’06 version.

On the outside, Sonata is quite different than its predecessor with a new concave hood dome, a rear door cut line, "Z-lined" body-to-fascia interfaces and jeweled projector headlights. The V6 models come equipped with Solar Control tinted glass and chrome-tipped exhausts; a nice touch! The trunk is 16.3 cubic feet (an increase of 16 percent) and will hold several bags and golf clubs, if needed. It’s flat and wide, so very accommodating. It works with an articulating four-bar link hinge mechanism with two assist struts to allow for easier trunk access.

Sonata will fit large and small drivers. A telescoping, tilt steering wheel and variable position seat (8-way power standard on LX) enables one to get comfortable. Controls are easily operated and reached, and don’t require an advanced degree to work. This we appreciate.

Hyundai has worked hard to make this all-new Sonata a quiet car and they have succeeded. Driving over bumps is even pleasurable. The car almost floats. This is a peach of a sedan that comes equipped with all you’d want, and at a price that won’t require you sell your first born. A winning combination, we think.