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| 2006 Hyundai Sonata Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
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Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
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| Other Thoughts | |||
The Sonata line opens with the 4-cylinder only GL (the only place to get a manual transmission) at $18,495. The 4-speed automatic costs $900; floor mats are the only other menu item. This "base" model is hardly basic judging by either features or hardware.The mid-line $19,995 Sonata GLS 4-cylinder seems like a good deal, with the $600 premium buying alloy wheels, fog lights, floor mats and better carpeting, better cloth, steering wheel audio controls, metal or wood interior accents (metal with gray interior, wood with beige), driver lumbar support, and trip computer. $1,500 extra steps up to the GLS V6 (adding 5-speed automatic, dual exhaust, and slightly bigger brakes and front stabilizer bar). Options come down to an $850 moonroof; the GLS 4's $1,350 Package #4 (moonroof, power seat, auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink garage door opener), and the GLS V6's $1,500 Package #5 (all that plus 17-inch alloy wheels). Last, the final extra $2,000 for the V6-only Sonata LX ($23,495) pays for chrome door handles, 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, sliding center console, leather seats, power driver's seat, telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming mirror, and HomeLink. Its $1,400 Package #3 adds moonroof and 6-disc CD changer. Let's pit the mid-line 4-cylinder Sonata GLS against an Accord LX 4-cylinder automatic. At $21,375, the Accord's got the better engine and an extra gear in the tranny. At $19,995, the Sonata's the one with the alloy wheels, disc brakes with EBD, stability control, better stereo, and audio controls. One question is what monetary value should be awarded to all the Sonata's extra space. But the most pressing question - aside from "how did they fit an Accord into a Xerox machine?" - concerns resale value and reliability. On one hand, used Sonatas are some of the most worthless cars on the secondhand lots; on the other, history has proven that one vastly improved redesign (for which the new Sonata definitely qualifies) can fix that overnight. Have you seen the going rates for those late-model Mazdas? Reliability is the other mystery. In the early 90s, the Sonata was Consumer Reports's most troublesome vehicle (that's vehicle, not car). In 2005, the Sonata scored as the Most Reliable Vehicle among all 2004 models, handling trouncing 18 seemingly undefeatable Acuras, Infinitis, and Lexuses in a row. Months-old results would normally beat decade-old data, but all new Sonatas are built in a new, unproven plant in Alabama, so all bets are off. Remember, the Mitsubishi Galant was once as bulletproof as the Accord. Then production moved to Illinois. Look what happened. Still, let's not forget Hyundai's best-in-class warranty: 10 years on the powertrain, 5 years on everything else, including roadside assistance. That plus Hyundai's recent track record hint at a good chance for the Sonata's life expectancy. But don't quote me on that. |
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