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

2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 2

Ride Quality, Interior Fit and Finish and Quietness Set Sonata Apart

The Sonata performed flawlessly during its second two week stint, with the odometer now reading 1,523 miles. Having finished the last update with 1,266 miles on the ticker means that in two weeks we managed to drive 257 miles. Not much compared to some two week intervals in our previous long-term tester, but all things considered 257 miles would equal 26,465 miles covered in a year, much more than the average owner drives.

And now for the log entries:

Odometer: 1,278 miles

Trevor: I know I should have grown up by now, but I just couldnt help myself when a rather racy looking fellow pulled up on my right

The Sonata performed flawlessly during its second two week stint. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

in his previous generation Audi S4 (the 250-horsepower V6 twin-turbo one, not the V8) and proceeded to pull away from me in order to move in front after the light went green. Fortunately, I happened to be entering a highway which allowed me to "race" up to highway speeds... heh, heh...! Race a Sonata against an S4? Am I crazy? Well, maybe just a bit. To make a short story long, you should have seen the embarrassment in this guys face

The Sonata V6 really goes surprisingly quickly, and its so ruddy smooth too, making its acceleration so deceptively sneaky it could really get a person in trouble fast. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

when letting him pass by, but only after leaving my mark slightly later I quickly passed by him and, neither driver letting up, kept ahead until hitting (slightly above) the highway limit. This Sonata V6 really goes quickly, surprisingly so. And its so ruddy smooth too, making its acceleration so deceptively sneaky it could really get a person in trouble fast.
Odometer: 1,292

Reaching back to hand through the drive-though "food" is difficult because theres so much legroom the rear seats are more than an arms length away. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

miles

Jennifer: Speed, shmeed, this thing is just plain comfortable to drive. Its funny... when I first saw the Sonata I was a bit disappointed. I mean, cmon, from a pretty cool Japanese SUV to a midsize family sedan? Nothing more needed to be said, right? Anyway, Im really starting to warm up the Sonatas many merits. As Trevor was saying, this car is so smooth its a bit eerie, so quiet inside that carrying conversations along with the kids is extremely easy, although reaching back to hand through

Yes, the two elegant oval-shaped chrome exhaust tips are stock with the V6. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the drive-though "food" is difficult, because theres so much legroom the rear seats are more than an arms length away. I suppose this would be an attribute to some people.

Odometer: 1,332 miles

Trevor: On my way home from the bank I took the Sonata by my friend and tuner-car colleague Jeff Dann of Bishop Sales, Canadas Steeda (Ford Mustang, Focus and now Mazda tuner parts) agent (among other aftermarket tuner parts), and he and Tim from his crew poured over the car. I was a bit surprised at it getting so much positive attention from a young bunch of grease monkeys, it being

The interior panels are as well put together as those on the outside. The steering wheel feels really good too... and the HVAC controls feel like those on an Audi or something. Very upscale. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

a midsize sedan and all, but the accolades came in one after another.

Tim (Wholesale Accounts Manager): I love the twin oval exhaust tips, are they stock?

Trevor: Yes, pretty sweet, no?

Page:  1  2  3

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