• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 12

More Awards and Continued Bulletproof Reliability

How does the Sonata do it? Once again, Hyundais new 2006 variant has walked away with a major award. It important to note that rival midsize sedans win awards, such as the new Volkswagen Passat which took the 2006 "Gelber Engel" ("Yellow Angel") "Best Family Car Trophy", a victory that is possibly somewhat biased by its all-German ADAC automobile club membership, although the all-American online firm Autobytel.com gave it a 2006 Editors Choice Award. Still, no midsize model comes close to winning over as many major global awards as the new Sonata.

If youre interested in making a count of your own, make sure and check out some of the previous long-term updates. Not all updates feature a new award, but a number of them announce more than one. The Sonatas latest win came from the popular U.S. TV

Once again, Hyundais new 2006 Sonata has walked away with a major award. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

show MotorWeek, in which it named Hyundais new superstar Best Family Sedan in its 2006 "Drivers Choice Awards", announced during a press conference at the Chicago International Auto Show.

A total of fifteen judges, made up of the writers, producers and crew of the weekly TV show, evaluated more than 150 cars, trucks and SUVs to arrive at their 12 winners, one for each vehicle segment. The vehicles were judged on performance, technology, practicality and dollar value, after subjecting them to road and track tests plus thorough

MotorWeek named Hyundais new Sonata the Best Family Sedan in its 2006 "Drivers Choice Awards". (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)?

competitive comparisons, as stated in a press release. According to that release, the Sonata came out on top by outperforming its main rivals, offering more safety features, greater comfort, more attractive styling and, last but hardly least, affordability.

"Hyundai is honored to take home this award from MotorWeek recognizing Sonata as the Best Family Sedan," said John Krafcik, vice president of strategic planning and product development, Hyundai Motor America. "The Sonatas blend of advanced safety features, ergonomic interior design and impressive performance truly offer something

"Hyundai is honored to take home this award from MotorWeek recognizing Sonata as the Best Family Sedan," said John Krafcik. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)?

that everyone in the family can appreciate."

The automaker will also receive an original artist-commissioned trophy designed by Dennis Simon, known internationally for his automotive illustrations, but undoubtedly the award, not to mention the following quote by MotorWeeks host John Davis, would have been enough for Hyundai.

"The North American-made Hyundai Sonata is the first Korean-brand car to ever win our Best Family Sedan award, and did so with a tremendous value combination of roomy comfort, quality assembly and most of all safety," said Davis. "Standard ABS, skid control and curtain airbags, simply

The Sonata won MotorWeeks award mostly because of its safety features. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

outclassed the mighty Camry and Accord."

MotorWeek will feature its Drivers Choice Award segment on a special episode to air on PBS beginning February 10 and on the SPEED Channel beginning February 13.
While it could hardly be considered a normal two week stint in the Sonatas lifespan if it hadnt won an award, we failed to mention one that it claimed way back in November. The New England Motor Press Association previously named the Sonata "Family Vehicle of the Year" at the New England International Auto Show in Boston, once again ahead of rivals such as Fords Fusion and Chevys new Impala. The Globe cited the Sonatas "excellent value, good fuel economy and segment-leading standard safety features, such as Electronic

The New England Motor Press Association previously named the Sonata "Family Vehicle of the Year".? (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)?

Stability Control (ESC), six airbags, and anti-whiplash head restraints" as key qualifiers cinching the decision.

And youd think that with such a great car on our hands it would get more attention, but alas, this last two weeks it has been largely ignored due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it was only at the office for five days (of which there was a new fully-loaded Range Rover also parked in the driveway... guess which one got the nod more often than not). The remaining nine days the Sonata was in Alexandras capable hands, and from what I understand shes been putting in a lot more time working than driving - poor girl. And speaking of poor girl, Jennifer has spent the better part of the last week getting over surgery, so even if it was at the Hofmann home she certainly wouldnt

The Sonata looks as good now as it did when we first took delivery. (Photo: Alexandra Straub: American Auto Press)

have been driving it. Hence, we embarrassingly have to report the lowest recorded odometer increment in the six or so months weve had our long-term Sonata, a mere 104 miles, from 4,396 to 4,507 miles. I think a road trip is in order, if just to shake out the cobwebs.

Actually, the Sonata looks as good as it did when we first took delivery, and will (touch wood) be just as nice when we finally give the keys back. And now, for the abbreviated logs:

Odometer: 4,401 miles

Jennifer: How come life feels like one endless loop starting at the kids school, then back home for food, off to the recreation center for one of the kids programs, then to church for a young womens activity, oh yes, and finally off to the store to pick up something that I forgot to get for the evenings dinner, etc, etc, etc... before collapsing

An ideal car for a busy lifestyle. (Photo: Alexandra Straub: American Auto Press)

on the couch at home after the little souls drop off to sleep... does it ever end? And more often than not Im behind the steering wheel of a car. And when you think about that, something youre probably doing right now, as Im sure my existence isnt much different that the lives of many other moms (and dads for that matter), it might as well be a car worthy of spending your life in, right? After about six months in the Sonata, a car that I admittedly wasnt too excited about when Trevor first brought it home, Id have to say its one of those rare vehicles that make you feel spoiled, despite its low price.

Odometer: 4,424 miles

Trevor: Cant say that Ive had time to drive the Sonata much lately, so handing the keys off to Alexandra who will make better use of it and, once again offer her unique perspective. Jennifer has her surgery coming up and Ill be homebound

I change over vehicles so frequently that its nice to know theres some automotive stability in my life! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

after that for the better part of a week, or two.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo