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2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 13

Wow! Americans Really Like the New Sonata with Sales Up 66 Percent

Automakers create "halo" cars in hopes that theyll draw attention to a given brand and therefore pull traffic into dealer showrooms, resulting in increased profits. Hyundais halo car has long been its Tiburon sports coupe, and while its still competitive within the ever-shrinking entry-level coupe segment, the very fact that it has been in production for four years has it losing a little luster. Interestingly enough, however, Hyundais mainstream Sonata has taken over halo duties, filling the brands showrooms on its own merit, no traditional halo needed.

When compared with its 2005 predecessor, monthly sales of the all-new 2006 Sonata are up some 66 percent across the nation. The automakers midsize model has always done well in the U.S., but such leaps and bounds, above and beyond any previous growth in this segment for the South Korean automaker, is impressive to say the least.

With Hyundai Motor Americas 2006

Hyundais "halo" car is a mainstream model... it doesnt come any better than that. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

calendar year sales up as well, many thanks have to go to the new Sonata, and those crafty marketers doing such a good job getting the word out - great TV ads Hyundai.

"Hyundai is definitely on a roll," commented a company spokesman. "Driven by steady, consistent launches of award-winning new products, the Hyundai brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image. In 2005, sales of Hyundai products were up 11 percent and we have every intention of continuing this trend."

And now with a new Santa Fe on the horizon, an all-new minivan being readied for production, the first time Hyundai has entered this highly
profitable

Compared with its 2005 predecessor, monthly sales of the all-new 2006 Sonata are up some 66 percent in the U.S. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

segment, and additional new models expected, things are definitely looking up for Hyundai.

Our long-term Sonata GLS V6 certainly hasnt lost its halo, still performing flawlessly, but not to the point of being boring. OK, its boring from a reliability standpoint. Nothing goes wrong so theres nothing to talk about. And in case you were thinking that all new cars are dependable, we have one of those odd European microcars to test this week, a smart fortwo (lowercase intentional) that wont start half the time (more on this car that Mercedes - the brands parent company - is considering importing into the U.S. in the logs), had a Saab 9-3 two weeks ago that simply died on the side of the road (again

Hyundais overall sales have increased year after year. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

more in the logs), and a MINI Cooper S a number of weeks before that which kept dying as it was being driven (ditto) - fortunately it would start up again, and continue on. Yes, in this case boring is good. But ironically, the Sonata is quicker off the line than any of these cars (OK, the tiny two-seat smart is low hanging fruit but the Saab should be faster considering its price, and the Cooper S hits 60 mph in almost the same time), features a more accommodating interior than any of the above (also not a fair comparison to the two-seat smart or subcompact MINI), comes with way more standard features (especially safety features), and when equally equipped is almost the least expensive in this bunch - the smart fortwo isnt sold in the U.S. (it has been sold by ZAP but this company buys retail from smart in

Just one question: Do these flashing red lights on the dash really turn away would-be thieves? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Germany so pricing is way over the top) so it doesnt count. Yes, of course the smart and MINI are much cheaper to run, that is until their warranties run out.
Of course, most smart and MINI buyers, or for that matter Saab owners wouldnt consider a Hyundai Sonata; unless its picking them up from the side of the road after their cars stall out. Yes, boring, in this scenario, is good.

Since we last left you, two weeks ago, our long-term Sonata has been fairly busy, racking up 207 local miles - and remember, most of our West Coast staffers dont commute. Now, with a total of 4,714 miles on the odometer, its time to take a look at the logs:

Odometer: 4,520 miles

Trevor: Weve had a lot of premium models recently; some more premium

A very dirty Range Rover Sport Supercharged next to a slightly cleaner Sonata. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

than others. As you can imagine, during the three short days that the Bentley Continental Flying Spur was in my possession I didnt spend much time in the Sonata - sorry Hyundai. I mean, as impressive as the Sonata is in its segment, even fully loaded its some $140,000 more affordable than the "bargain-basement" Bentley. Therefore, such an opportunity was the first and may end up being the last I get with this particular car. That week I also had a Mercedes-Benz ML350 and a Porsche Cayman S, both which are fabulous vehicles that more or less were ignored thanks to the winged-B (a bit of poorly organized press car booking on my part, with a last minute opportunity to schedule in the Flying Spur making things more cluttered - there was no way I was going to turn the Big-B down). Then, last week, I decided to take a 390-hp Range Rover Sport Supercharged on a short 370 mile road trip instead of the Sonata,

Handy nooks like this CD holder add to the Sonatas convenience. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a decision that Hyundai will be glad for being that the $70K-plus SUV ended up with two chips in the windshield (that cant be fixed due to a million little hairline electric wires for warming purposes - think of the cost of that replacement) and multiple paint nicks out of the bumper and grille thanks to missile-like rocks being spit rearward from passing cars and trucks (or vehicles that were being passed) on a snow-covered high-speed mountain freeway which the powers that be chose to make less slippery by adding gravel instead of salt. Ugh, I cringed every time I heard a whack from a stone; and not just because of the expected price of a repaint - much higher than the Sonata no doubt. I would have been just as upset hearing rocks hit the Sonatas shiny dark blue paint, which is still immaculate after about a year of service - if you remember, it wasnt new when we got it - with 1,193 miles on the odometer. Wow, have we really put 3,327 miles on the clock? Thats a fair amount

Most of the time Jennifer tries to get the keys to the Sonata as it suits her driving style more; a nice key fob too, with remote trunk release and a panic alarm button on the back. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

for a second car, subject to family duties and the odd road trip. As always, its impossible to fault. Absolutely reliable... a powerful, smooth drivetrain... tons of room and totally comfortable... this car will do its part in changing perceptions about the Hyundai nameplate.

Odometer: 4,543 miles

Jennifer: Man, for a guy who spends most of his time locked into his office without a sound emanating from within, you sure have a lot to say. My log entry will be about the Sonata, not all the premium cars that Trevor wouldnt let me drive (and I wouldnt have anyway, thanks). OK, I spent some time running around in the Mercedes SUV, which was very nice, btw, but most of the time I try and get the keys to the Sonata as it suits my driving style more. And before you make some wisecrack about women drivers, Ill take you down any day of the week... especially if Im behind the wheel of the Sonata.

Impressive are all the details, like the little cubbies for stowing everything from loose change, to CDs, to sunglasses, plus its deep glove box (look for lots of detail photos in this update). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

But I wont go on and on about how quick it is, at least not right now. Rather, Ive got a complaint. Yeah, really! I know I complained about this one before, but Im still finding it difficult to keep the light gray carpets clean. Of course, its winter, so dirt and mud is the order of the season. And, if I were laying down my own cash for a Sonata, Id get it with black carpets if I could (although its not available with black carpets, only light beige, so the problem wouldnt be completely solved). Cest la vie.

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