2006 Hyundai Sonata First Drive

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

Entering the big leagues

Introduction

Hyundai Sonata - 2006 First Drive: Known primarily for its stellar warranty, Hyundai is out to prove its cars offer more than peace of mind.

In addition to that 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the Alabama-built 2006 Hyundai Sonata comes to the ring with a long list of standard features, plenty of safety-oriented components, a serious boost in power and a fully-loaded price in the mid $20,000 range.

Salespeople dealing Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys shouldn't sweat quite yet, as Hyundai hopes to sell 150,000 new Sonatas annually, a lot for Hyundai but a fraction of what the class leaders move into American driveways. Even so, those dependent on Accord and Camry sales commissions would be ill-advised to disregard this new Sonata. More likely threatened will be wannabes like the Mitsubishi Galant and Mazda 6, both of which might see fewer scraps from the family sedan table.

The redesigned 2006 Hyundai Sonata spells bad news for competitive car makers, and that's great news for consumers.

Model Mix

Whether it's a base model with clutch pedal and a four-cylinder engine or a leather-clad premium version with a V6, there's a 2006 Hyundai Sonata to suit most everyone who appreciates plenty of features at a competitive price.

All redesigned Sonatas come with six airbags: two front, two front side, and two side curtain airbags (cover front and second rows). Additional safety features standard on all Sonata models include four-wheel disc antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, and active headrests.

The base model, the Hyundai Sonata GL, starts at $18,495 (including a $600 destination charge) and comes with a four-cylinder engine joined to a five-speed manual transmission. A Shiftronic four-speed automatic can be added for $900. The only wheel choice for the GL is a set of 16-inch steel rims with wheel covers, and other standard equipment includes air conditioning; a CD and MP3 player; power windows, locks, and mirrors; and a tilt steering wheel. Even though the GL is the entry-level Sonata, it also gets premium features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, and cruise control.

As a mid-level model, the 2006 Hyundai GLS ups the content ante quite a bit, with either a four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic, or a V6 connected to a Shiftronic five-speed automatic transmission. For a starting sticker price of $19,995 for the four-cylinder and $21,495 for the V6, the Sonata GLS adds foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel radio controls, woodgrain or metalgrain interior trim, driver lumbar support, and a trip computer to the standard equipment list. Options for the GLS include an automatic-dimming interior rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a power driver's seat.

Poised at the top of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata echelon is the LX model, a fully-equipped version that we consider to be the best value. Available at a starting price of $23,495 and available only with the V6, Shiftronic five-speed automatic, and 17-inch alloy wheels, the Sonata LX adds chrome exterior trim pieces, automatic climate control, and Hyundai's air quality system (removes more particles than the standard air conditioning filter). Also standard are a sliding front armrest and leather seats with matching door inserts. All of the optional equipment for the GLS is standard on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata LX. Optional on the LX is an upgraded sound system featuring a six-disc CD changer, subwoofer and amplifier.

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