2006 Hyundai Sonata Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Let’s be honest, shall we? Last year’s Hyundai Sonata was not a looker. Stacked up against competitors like the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry, a low price was the only way to get one off the dealer’s lot and into a customer’s driveway. Even a Ford Taurus held more styling appeal.

But now, well, things are different, aren’t they? Check out the redesigned 2006 Sonata, with its clean lines, balanced design, and undeniable good looks. Now this is a car you can be proud to own… and to be seen driving.

The goodness extends to the interior, where the Sonata jettisons last year's crass, parts-bin, econo-car ambiance for a simple, uncluttered, and even upscale cabin. From its gated transmission shifter to its metal-ringed speedometer, the Sonata whispers elegance and sophistication.

In short, the change is utterly transformative.

A 162-horsepower, 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine is standard with the GL trim in Canada. Technically, a five-speed manual transmission is also standard, but Hyundai will no doubt build most Sonatas with the optional four-speed automatic transmission, which comes standard with GLS trim.

For more power and performance, a 3.3-litre V6 is standard for the GLS and GLS Premium trims. It generates robust power specs of 235 hp and is paired with a five-speed automatic.

Your choice between the two depends on how fast you want to go and what kind of fuel economy you prefer. The four-cylinder is adequate in terms of power and performs on par with competitors, even if it lacks the outright refinement of the best engines in the segment. The V6, according to Hyundai, gets the Sonata to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, quick for a family sedan. (Zero to 100 km/h times are not available.) In either case, power is delivered via a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain.

With the automatic, the four-cylinder is rated to get 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway, while the V6 engine returns 11.5 L/100 km city and 7.2 highway. If spending our own money, we’d go with the V6.

Though the new Sonata’s design and powertrains are competitive, Hyundai needs to fine-tune the car’s ride and handling. Most drivers won’t find the steering, suspension, or braking components lacking in any way, but there is a lack of refinement here that is plainly evident in a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry.

With that said, don’t be discouraged. This redesigned Sonata is easy to recommend.

Another big change for the 2006 Sonata is its amount of interior space. This is an accommodating sedan, on par with the Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry in terms of passenger space.

Front-seat occupants face a clean, logically arranged dashboard. In lighter colours, the black dashboard and door panel tops present an appealing, high-contrast, two-tone look that lends the Sonata a more upscale look and feel.

Quality materials, refined switchgear, and clarity of purpose are the rule rather than the exception, and Hyundai supplies good storage combined with large cupholders. The trunk measures 462 litres, which is plenty for a family road trip.

Comfort levels improve as you climb the trim level ladder, with the Sonata GLS providing leather upholstery and an eight-way power driver’s seat. The rear seat is positively huge with plenty of legroom, making the Sonata especially useful as a hauler of kids both young and old.

As is true with any modern car redesign, the 2006 Sonata gains numerous technological upgrades. Even the base GL trim includes standard features such as power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, power windows, variable speed intermittent wipers, air conditioning, heated side mirrors, both a CD player and an MP3 player, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Upgrade to the V6 to get 16-inch alloy wheels. A sunroof and 17-inch wheels are available as standalone options.

Upgrade to GLS Premium trim for a trip computer, automatic climate control, and a universal programmable garage door opener.

Unlike some competitors, however, the Sonata does not offer a navigation system, so keep your maps handy.

If Hyundai’s failure to offer navigation is a blemish on the new Sonata, the standard safety equipment list definitely makes up for it.

Every 2006 Sonata has six airbags, including dual front, dual front side-impact, and dual side curtain airbags to protect the front- and rear-seat occupants. Antilock brakes are an option on the base GL with the automatic transmission, while electronic stability control and traction control are equipped on the GLS Premium.

In testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the new Sonata performs admirably, earning five-star ratings for frontal- and side-impact protection and a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

Unfortunately, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is not as satisfied with the Sonata’s crash protection. While the car gets a Good rating in moderate overlap frontal-impact testing, the side-impact protection rating is one notch down at Acceptable. Roof crush strength rates no better than Marginal, so you’re going to want to keep the rubber side down.

Compared to segment leaders, the new Hyundai Sonata remains an unbeatable bargain. Prices start below $22,000 in Canada, and the Sonata GL includes more equipment than its rivals' base trims do. In the top-trim specification, the Sonata GLS Premium is a bona fide bargain, offering similar equipment for thousands of dollars less.

The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is an exceptionally cost-effective solution to your midsize family sedan needs. The best news of all, though, is that the new Sonata stands on its own without them.

Note: Images show a US model.