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2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 8

Midsize Car of the Year!

A great deal has happened in the life of Hyundais Sonata within the last two weeks. First, the Sonatas GLS V6 was chosen above every all-new competitive four-door for the winner of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canadas (AJAC) "Family Sedan Under $35K" (CAD which is about $30K USD) category, which means that it was up against the new Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, VW Jetta and VW Passat - incredibly stiff competition. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, among others, were not entered because they either were not new enough for 2006 (this years Accord only features a mild facelift and a much needed rear-end redesign)

The Sonatas GLS V6 was chosen above every all-new competitive four-door for the winner of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canadas (AJAC) "Family Sedan Under $35K CAD" category. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

or Honda didnt have a car ready in time for the November event.

While this is a Canadian COTY (Car of the Year) award, it is still relevant being that the cars tested are more or less the same as those available in the U.S. - except for trim level details. The AJAC COTY is also especially

The Sonata bested all four newcomers when it came to exterior and interior styling, and many other categories.? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

thorough in its testing process, involving side-by-side street and track testing and individual and group ratings, unlike the majority of U.S. COTYs.

The Sonata bested all four newcomers when it came to exterior styling, interior styling, quality (which seems like a pretty ambiguous category - perceived quality; expected reliability, what do they mean?), driver position and ergonomics, passenger comfort and access, noise vibration

The Sonata came in third overall for braking feel and effectiveness, as well as stopping distances. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and harshness (HVH) levels, engine smoothness and refinement, transmission/drivetrain, ride comfort, fuel economy (where it is tied with the Fusion at a combined rating of 25 mpg for last place - go figure), and safety features.

It tied the Impala in first place for interior volume, although it offers slightly more, tied the Passat for visibility, tied the same 280-horsepower Passat 3.6 V6 for acceleration (told you it was fast - and the Sonata passed the 60 mph mark in only 7.7 seconds compared to the Passats 8.1 but lost out

All cars tied for environmental responsibility, which could mean that fuel economy was not taken into consideration, that emissions ended up being exactly the same for all vehicles in the test, or possibly that the Sonata is more recyclable than its peers.? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

from 50 mph to 70 where the Passat posted a 6.0 second time and the Sonata took 6.4 seconds), plus tied once again for first place with the Passat for overall handling.
Where did it lose out? It failed to carry more cargo in its trunk than the Impala, but only marginally, and the Passat and Fusion beat it in throttle response, but the difference was hair-like thin. The same German car also took the steering category, but once again the Sonata came in second (and remember that the two cars tied for first when it came to

Hyundai took home top honors for the "Family Car Above $35K" CAD category with its new Azera, an even more impressive feat considering the seven competitive models it was up against. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

overall handling), while the Sonata came in third overall for braking feel and effectiveness, and again, other than the Impala, the differences between the top four cars was minor.

Being that the braking category is so critical, stopping distances were also measured (which I would have though would be classified under braking effectiveness), showing the Sonata tied for second place with the Fusion, although there was a tie for first between the two VWs. To be specific, as this is such an important segment, the Sonata actually came in at a close third, with the Jetta managing to haul itself down to standstill from 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 123.06 feet, the Passat in 123.79

We took the Sonata in for its 4,000 mile service this week (a bit early at 3,565 miles). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

feet, the Sonata in 126.34 feet, the Fusion in 128.67 feet and the Impala in a ruddy awful 156.10 feet - fleet managers who want to hang onto their employees take note. The Sonata also lost out in cargo convenience, with only the Jetta faring worse (see log notes for this one).

All cars tied for environmental responsibility, which could mean that fuel economy was not taken into consideration (as once again the Sonata was picked highest while faring worst alongside the Fusion), that emissions ended up being exactly the same for all vehicles in the test, or possibly that the Sonata is more recyclable than its peers - they didnt say.

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