2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 1/16/2006
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- Hyundai, the largest car company in South Korea, invests in
North America with a new $1.1 billion Alabama assembly plant, a vast technology
and engineering center located in Michigan, $30 million worth of studios for research
and design in Irvine, Calif., plus a $50 million test track pitched near California City
in the Mojave Desert.
As a result, many of the vehicles in Hyundai's extensive line slant directly toward the
American market -- such as a new generation of designs for Sonata, a four-door and
five-passenger sedan which is the first Hyundai to come out of that Alabama
factory.Consider the Sonata for 2006 completely new in size, style and mechanical
components.
It fits in the class of a mid-size sedan, although generous space in the five-seat
passenger compartment seems more like the cabin of a large-size car.
Two new engines were developed for Sonata through three different trim grades,
with all stocking extensive equipment for safety.
And Hyundai applies aggressive price points for all trims.
MSRP leader is the entry issue Sonata GL, listing for $17,895 with a four-cylinder
engine and standard five-speed manual shifter.
Middle model Sonata GLS with the four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic
transmission tallies to $19,395, or $20,895 with the V6 upgrade and a five-speed
automatic.
Top tier Sonata LX, packing the V6 plus lots of luxury goods including leather
upholstery, starts at $22,895.
Then Hyundai supports each new Sonata with a warranty which goes beyond the
protection for other vehicles -- the powertrain insured for 100,000 miles and a
60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper shield against defects plus unlimited mileage for a
roadside assistance program.
With body styling drawn now in the mainstream of designs, a high content in comfort
features, extensive safety equipment, the generous warranty program and prices
whittled to keen low points, Sonata for 2006 makes a persuasive case for inclusion
on any sedan shopper's list.
The new structure for Sonata is considerably larger and far more sophisticated than
the predecessor.
It measures several inches longer and taller and half an inch wider, with the
wheelbase stretched out 1.1 inches longer and the wheel track 1.4 inches wider in
front and 1.2 inches in back.
Styling of the body appears clean and simple with a smooth front fascia setting off
bold contours on a concave-dimpled hood dome and followed by a windshield raking
high to an arching brow of the roof.
Four-point projector headlights mount in slit-eye clusters on corners of the prow as
separated by a streak of chrome capping the grille.
Sonata's side view reveals a beltline that's nearly level above rolled shoulders and
curvy door panels with large round wheelwells added to house big wheels and tires.
Windows rise high to meet the arching roofline with support frames and middle pillar
in black to blend with a dark tint of the glass and kindle the image of a sporty coupe.
A brief decklid on the rump-side trunk conceals the compartment's generous interior
dimensions -- there's more than 16 cubic feet of cargo space in there.
The passenger compartment also seems big -- but it is, as Sonata's riders will find
far more room inside than on the previous edition.
Headroom increases by more than half an inch, legroom in the back seat improves
by 1.2 inches and there's as least an inch more room at the shoulder level of rear
riders.
Layout of the cabin shows a pair of bucket seats up front flanking a floor-mounted
console and a broad bench in back with two articulated seat positions but room for
three.
The rear seatback splits 60/40 in sections and both fold forward to expand cargo
room in the trunk.
Driver's seat faces a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an instrument cluster
containing analog gauges with a large speedometer in the center spot ringed by
chrome.
Stow spots are scattered around the cabin -- map pockets mounted on the front
doors, the center console with integrated cupholders and cubbyholes, a hook in the
footwell of the right front seat that flips out to hold a handbag, a fold-down armrest
in the rear seatback which houses more cupholders in a pop-open section.
Sonata powertrains line up as a 2.4-liter aluminum four-pack with CVVT
(continuously variable valve timing) or Hyundai's new Lambda V6, a 3.3-liter plant
also with CVVT.
The in-line-four Theta engine produces 162 hp at 5800 rpm plus torque of 164 lb-ft
at 4250 rpm.
The Lambda V6 romps with 235 hp at 6000 rpm and 226 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.
On the 2.4 plant a five-speed manual is standard for Sonata GL with a four-speed
Shiftronic automatic optional.
The V6 that's optional on Sonata GLS but stock for LX ties strictly to a new five-
speed Shiftronic automatic.
For responsive handling as well as a comfortable ride quality, Sonata employs a four-
wheel independent suspension system with double wishbone design up front and a
multi-link arrangement in back.
The rack and pinion steering mechanism brings a direct touch with power boost
keyed to engine-speed sensors.
Brakes include a disc at every wheel with computer-controlled equipment for all
trims -- an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD),
electronic stability control (ESC) and a traction control system (TCS).
All versions also stock six air bags in the cabin including curtain-style air bags in the
ceiling.
Equipment standard on Sonata GL ranges from air conditioning and power controls
for windows and door locks and mirrors to heated side mirrors, a six-speaker audio
system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 and 16-inch Michelin MXV tires.
Sonata GLS adds foglamps and alloy wheels, plus a trip computer, lumbar support
for the driver's seat, deluxe door sill plates and audio controls on the steering wheel.
Sonata LX goes further with the leather-trimmed cabin, heated front seats, power
controls for the driver's seat, automatic climate system and 17-inch alloy wheels with
Michelin Pilot tires.
A power sunroof and six-disc CD changer are also available.
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| 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size four-door sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size four-door sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
107.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
188.9 inches |
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4, DOHC 3.3-L V6 |
| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5, Auto/4, V6: Auto/5 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc, ABS/EBD/ESC/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front), 2 (side), 4 (side curtain) |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 24/34 mpg, I4 A/4: 24/33 mpg, V6 A/5: 20/30 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
Sonata GL: $ 17,895 Sonata GLS: $ 19,395 Sonata LX: $ 22,895 |
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