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Introduction
The mid-size, mid-price car market is approaching saturation. Depending on how
they're counted, more than seven nameplates compete for shoppers looking for a
car that's thrifty, yet performs; that's comfortable, but not expensive; that's
fresh and new, but promises to be reliable.
Korea's car makers have never been a part of this class. They've danced around
the edges, with the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata. But neither car has broken
through and established a solid foothold in the mainstream U.S. market.
Enter the all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata.
While the previous-generation Sonata made a dramatic jump to the top spot in
the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study ranking of entry
midsize cars, the 2006 Sonata has been completely redesigned. It's bigger,
better equipped, more technologically advanced and sharper looking than the
2005 model it replaces.
The class in which the new Sonata competes, however, is blurred. Exterior-wise,
it goes against mid-size sedans, primarily the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and
Nissan Altima and secondarily against the Chevrolet Malibu, the Kia Optima and
the upcoming Ford Fusion. Inside, though, the '06 Sonata moves up a class, to
large car, which gives it a potential edge in creature comfort.
With minor and essentially immaterial exceptions, it lives up to that
potential. It's roomier in almost every dimension than its midsize competitors,
which is no surprise. Fit and finish is on a par with most others in the class,
which also is no surprise. In terms of performance, it equals or bests
comparably featured cars, which is a surprise. It's cleaner, too, than earlier
Sonatas. Just as important, if not more so, the new Sonata is aggressively
priced, positioned smack in the middle of the range of prices of the mid-size
sedans.
All this combined makes the 2006 Hyundai Sonata good enough to put the
mid-priced, midsize market on notice. There's a new player.
Model Lineup
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata comes in one body style, a four-door, five-passenger
sedan. Two engines and three transmissions are available. The base engine is a
162-horsepower four-cylinder. The uplevel engine is a 235-horsepower V6. The
four-cylinder can have either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed
Shiftronic automatic. The V6 comes only with a new-for-2006 five-speed
Shiftronic automatic.
The model line begins with the Sonata GL ($17,895), which comes standard with
the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. Standard equipment includes
air conditioning; cruise control; power outside mirrors, windows and central
locking with keyless remote; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo; and leather-wrapped, tilt
steering wheel. There are but two options, the four-speed automatic ($900) and
carpeted floor mats ($85).
One step up the ladder is the GLS ($19,395), which comes standard with the
four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. The list of standard items
starts with those on the GL and expands to include fog lamps; premium-grade
cloth upholstery and cut-pile carpeting; choice of wood-grain or metal-grain
interior trim accents; steering wheel-mounted, redundant audio controls;
adjustable lumbar in driver's seat; five-function trip computer; carpeted floor
mats; and 16-inch alloy wheels in place of the GL's hub-capped steel wheels.
The GLS order sheet has two option boxes. One is for a power, tilt-and-slide
glass sunroof ($850). The other is for a Premium Package ($1350) containing the
aforementioned sunroof plus auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass
(both with a much-appreciated on/off switch), HomeLink programmable garage and
security remote and eight-way power driver's seat.
Next up the GLS V6 ($20,895), which comes standard with a five-speed automatic.
This brings with it solar control window glass, chrome exterior window trim and
chrome-tipped dual exhausts. The sunroof is an option ($850). The optional
Premium Sport Package ($1500) includes the sunroof, 17-inch wheels with
Michelin Pilot tires, the electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, HomeLink
and power driver's seat.
On the top rung is the LX ($22,895), which comes with everything on the GLS
plus leather-trimmed seats and simulated leather interior door panel inserts.
Distinguished by chrome exterior door handles, the LX also gets automatic air
conditioning with Hyundai's Air Quality System, which shifts to recirculating
when it detects offensive or polluted outside air; a sliding cover on the front
center console; the auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass; the
HomeLink system; the eight-way power driver's seat; and a tilt and telescoping
steering wheel. The sunroof can be obtained separately ($850) or as part of an
LX-exclusive Premium Package ($1400) that also has a AM/FM/CD6 changer/MP3
stereo with subwoofer.
Safety features in addition to the mandatory dual-stage front-seat airbags
include front-seat side-impact airbags for torso protection and full-coverage
side curtain airbags, designed to provide head protection, all standard on all
models. Active-safety features include antilock brakes with electronic
brake-force distribution and electronic stability control with traction
control, all standard. These crash-avoidance features are optional or not
available on many of the other vehicles in this class.
Walkaround
Design tastes are extremely volatile in the automotive world. A styling cue
like an arched-eyebrow headlight treatment can go from eye-catching to
invisible in a couple years. Or it can survive for decades and come to be
accepted as a brand trademark, such as BMW's twin-kidney grille. The Hyundai
Sonata hasn't yet found its signature trademark cues, but the 2006's designers
are looking in the right places.
The new Sonata's fascia is refreshingly clean and spare, with sharply angled
headlight housings and a quiet, clean-cut grille topped with a sliver of
chrome. Wide and deep openings beneath the front bumper provide a home for
tightly focused foglamps and visually pull the front end closer to the ground
while directing cooling air into the radiator. The striking, concave hood
reduces the car's perceived mass without cramping the engine compartment.
The side treatment avoids the all-too-common wedge look with an almost
horizontal beltline riding above softly shouldered fenders and door panels.
Mirrored "Z" seams where the end corners of the bumpers meet the quarter panels
add interest, while blacked-out window surrounds play down the tallish side
glass. Extended C-pillars shorten the deck lid, which itself presents a
rounded, gently sculpted profile vaguely reminiscent of the much maligned
posterior posture of today's BMW sedans. The flat-flanged rims on the up-level
17-inch wheels suggest a high-end European import more than an affordable Asian
nameplate.
The taillight outlines repeat the headlight shapes and bookend a broad,
trapezoidal license plate inset. Again, there's a hint of other cars'
architecture, most notably contemporary Camrys and Accords. Sporty, California
hotrod-idiom dual exhausts mark the V6-equipped models.
Interior Features
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata's interior marks a major step up the quality ladder.
Some rough edges on a few plastic molds and a less-than-lustrous finish on some
dash panels are the only shortcomings we noticed. The overall look, though, is
clearly competitive with most in the class and better than some.
A polished, hard-surfaced applique capped with a thin slice of chrome divides
the upper and lower halves of the dash. The upper is a glare-absorbing dark
color, the lower a space-enhancing light tone. The passenger airbag enclosure
is seamless, mimicking the trend in higher-end midsize sedans.
As with many modern cars, the stereo head is fully integrated into the dash,
making difficult any aftermarket customizing of the sound system but adding an
upscale touch. Air conditioner controls are mounted beneath the stereo, within
the accent trim centered in the lower portion of the center stack. Stereo and
air conditioner controls are substantial, finger-friendly, intuitive knobs and
buttons, with status and selections clearly displayed in their respective LCD
screens.
Three round dials in the hooded instrument cluster communicate the bare
necessities of operational data to the driver, with the largest the speedometer
nestled inside a polished circle. To its left is the tachometer, to its right
conjoined water temperature and fuel gauges. In the lower dash to the left of
the steering column are a bank of five switch plugs, only two of which are
employed in the U.S. version, one as an on/off for the ESC, the other the
dash-light rheostat, and a flip-down storage bin. The ignition key slides into
a slot placed where it should be, in the dash to the right of the steering
column instead of on the steering column itself.
All models get a leather-wrapped steering wheel. On the GLS and LX, the
steering wheel serves multiple duties. Besides the obvious, redundant controls
for the audio (arrayed somewhat oddly, with the mode selector on top and the
volume controlled by the lower two, versus the more common approach of
sandwiching the mode button between the volume controls) are appended to the
lower left-side of the hub. On the other side of the hub are the cruise
controls, with a helpful Cancel function.
Outward visibility is good, although the wide C-pillars constrict quick,
over-the-shoulder traffic checks for lane changing. Rear side windows roll all
the way down, thanks to small, fixed, rear quarter windows that move the
windows' rear tracks forward in the door. All four doors have roof-mounted,
hinged assist handles.
Seats are comfortable, with adequate bolstering for the style of driving to
which the Sonata aspires. The cloth upholstery on the GL looks and feels
durable; on the GLS, it's a bit fancier in texture and stitching. The leather
surfaces in the LX add a touch of class without pretending to be luxurious. The
height adjustment on the driver's seat, both manual and power, pivots on the
seat's front mounts, which effectively moves the seat forward as it rises. This
compels taller drivers to choose between rearward seat travel and forward
sightline, not always a happy compromise. On the upside, this adds inches to
rear-seat legroom behind the driver, one of the multitude of measures in which
the '06 Sonata bests the competition. Among the primary competitors, the new
Sonata only comes in second to the Honda Accord in front and rear headroom and
to the Toyota Camry in rear-seat headroom, but by a mere one- to three-tenths
of an inch. And of the second-tier competitors, the Kia Optima alone betters
the new Sonata and then only by three-tenths of an inch in front seat hip room.
Rear seats are accommodating, with the bottom cushion in the center position
only minimally higher than and nearly as well padded as the outboard positions.
Both rear outboard seating positions have adjustable head restraints, as do the
front seats. The rear seatback is split 60/40 and folds to allow the transport
of long objects, such as skis and snowboards or gardening tools, depending on
the weekend and season.
Storage bins and cubbies are about average for the class. Only front doors have
map pockets, and there's no compartment in the rear of the center console,
which is, however, bi-level and on the LX fitted with a sliding top cover. The
center console and the rear-seat center armrest provide two cupholders each. A
small bin in the forward part of the center console is convenient for coins and
keys, while a fuzzy-finished cubby with a flip-down cover occupies the space in
the center stack below the climate control panel. A thoughtful addition is a
flip-out hook in the footwell on the passenger side of the center stack to
restrain handbags and the like.
The trunk is the second most capacious in the class, losing out to the Toyota
Camry by less than half a cubic foot. Despite the use of gas-pressure struts
(which the hood has, too, an upscale touch not all of the competition offer)
and articulated linkage on the trunk lid, the Sonata's stubby back end
constrains the opening; in other words, it holds a lot, just not big lots.
Driving Impressions
Korea's car makers have been unabashedly frank about their lack of
sophistication in engine technology and metallurgy. They've acknowledged they
have some distance to make up to compete in both regards with the best of Japan
and, of late, the U.S. and Europe. The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata marks a
major step forward in the engine department and more than a couple steps
forward in weight reduction.
Both of the 2006 Sonata's engines incorporate some of the latest developments
in variable timing of intake valves, which achieves the dual benefits of lower
emissions and higher fuel efficiency. Both engines are rated ULEV (Ultra Low
Emissions Vehicle) by the Environmental Protection Agency, a first for Hyundai.
The new V6 uses a variable intake system that boosts torque and makes more
power available over a broader range of engine speed. Fuel economy in the
four-cylinder GL with manual transmission, as estimated by the EPA, is 24 miles
per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway (up from last year's 22/30);
the V6-powered GLS and LX are rated 20/30 (up from the '05's 19/27). And this
is in a heavier car, by almost 200 pounds, and with a larger engine compared
with the 2005 model. Those added pounds may seem problematic vis-a-vis
Hyundai's weight-reduction hopes, but remember, the '06 Sonata is both a larger
car by physical size and it's fitted with a number of added features, including
vital safety upgrades.
The weight is hardly noticed from behind the wheel. What is noticeable is the
state-of-the-art engine technology. Acceleration is brisk in the four-cylinder
and brings a grin to the face in the V6. Hyundai officials say the V6 will turn
0-60 miles per hour times of about 7.5 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph.
Shifts are executed easily with the five-speed manual, and chirping the front
tires is even easier. The Shiftronic automatic transmission moves between gears
smoothly, kicking down for passing with minimal hesitation. The automatic
offered responsive performance while tackling the hills of San Francisco. In
manual mode, the Shiftronic will upshift automatically when the engine bumps up
against redline, and it declines to downshift at all, leaving that to the
driver's preferences.
Steering is light and direct, with good on-center feel and directional
stability. Brakes are mostly linear, displaying little of the interference of
some of the more complex EBD-equipped systems and then only in the final stages
of a stop. Nevertheless, the Sonata is equipped with Electronic Brake-force
Distribution, which improves stability and reduces stopping distances by
balancing brake force between the front and rear tires, and anti-lock brakes,
which allow the driver to maintain steering control under hard braking. The
17-inch wheel/tire combination makes its presence known on rough pavement,
where the shorter sidewalls transmit more of the road's imperfections into the
cabin. Wind and road noise is decently muted.
The suspension suffers more from what's best described as teething than from
lack of proper geometry and components. The latter are there: double wishbones
in front, multi-links in back, twin-tube gas-pressure shocks and stabilizer
bars all 'round, with a larger front bar in the V6 to handle the larger
engine's extra weight. But how it all works together still needs, well, work.
Against the competition, which has been refining its suspension technology for
much longer than Hyundai, the Sonata feels less polished, less of a whole. Not
that there's anything wrong or necessarily lacking in the ride and handling,
just that some of the transitions, in direction and between types and qualities
of pavements, aren't as smooth as the look and feel of the Sonata promises. The
front end tucks in nicely as steering is cranked in, but the car doesn't track
as surely as expected. There's also the impression of poorly managed unsprung
mass when the rear suspension crosses rough or broken pavement, which suggests
the hard parts are a generation or two behind in the alloys used and how
they're formed. Still, interstate-intensive travel, even at socially
irresponsible speeds, is smooth and unruffled, which is no small achievement.
Summary
The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata is a giant step up for Hyundai, moving the
brand closer to Honda, Toyota and Nissan, and contesting for buyers considering
Ford and Chevrolet. There's nothing unique or especially exciting about driving
the new Sonata, save for the fact it's a Hyundai. By that yardstick, and what
that portends for shoppers in the class, it's a blast.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from San
Francisco.
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