Outward visibility is good, although the wide C-pillars constrict quick, over-the-shoulder traffic checks for lane changing. Hyundai says the audio controls will be improved by the end of the model year. For the 2007 model year, the Sonata promises more content for less money. Exterior-wise, it competes primarily against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima; and secondarily against the Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima and Ford Fusion. I think it looks best in white, some of the other colors make it look like an old person car.
In manual mode, the Shiftronic will upshift automatically when the engine bumps up against redline, and it declines to downshift at all, leaving that to the driver's preferences. Beyond that is a flip-down storage bin. Meanwhile, the Sonata finished among the top three mid-size cars in the 2006 J. It's roomier in almost every dimension than its mid-size competitors. Still, stubborn shifting and poor steering road-feel detract from an overall solid performance.
The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that it was a common characteristic. The Hyundai Sonata is a four-door, five-passenger sedan, and comes with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 engines. There's a new player in the mid-size sedan market, and it's from Hyundai. They are arrayed somewhat oddly, with the mode selector on top and the volume controlled by the lower two, versus the more common approach of sandwiching the mode button between the volume controls. Having read the owner's manual previously, I popped the button on top of the shift console and pushed the button with my knife. Since I have only 8,456 miles on the car, warranty covered the repair. I brought the car to my dealer on June 16.
Among the primary competitors, the new Sonata comes in second only to the Honda Accord in front and rear headroom, and to the Toyota Camry in rear-seat headroom, and by a mere one- to three-tenths of an inch. The brake light switch was faulty and sticking causing the problem. Wide and deep openings beneath the front bumper provide a home for tightly focused fog lamps and visually pull the front end closer to the ground, while directing cooling air into the radiator. . The standard cloth upholstery looks and feels durable; while the Limited's leather adds a touch of class without pretending to be luxurious. He called the regional representative, who acknowledged that there was an issue, but never took any action. As with many modern cars, the stereo head is fully integrated into the dash, making difficult any aftermarket customizing of the sound system but adding an upscale touch.
Sporty, California hot rod-idiom dual exhausts mark the V6-equipped models. Sonata is now a large car, with a full-size edge in creature comfort. The V6 boasts a larger front bar to handle the larger engine's extra weight. Seats are comfortable, with adequate bolstering for the style of driving to which the Sonata aspires. Three round dials in the hooded instrument cluster communicate the bare necessities of operational data to the driver. MotorWeek called the Sonata the Best Family Sedan, Kiplinger's Personal Finance named it Best in Class, Consumers Digest called it a Best Buy, and Popular Mechanics gave it a Safety Excellence award. And of the second-tier competitors, the Kia Optima alone betters the new Sonata and then only by three-tenths of an inch in front seat hip room.
I had to push the button. As you'd expect, the Sonata is aggressively priced, positioned smack in the middle of the range of mid-size sedans. Still, interstate-intensive travel, even at socially irresponsible speeds, is smooth and unruffled, which is no small achievement. The height adjustment on the driver's seat, both manual and power, pivots on the seat's front mounts, which effectively moves the seat forward as it rises. All models get a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.
Easier and more elegant when starting or shutting off the car. This second-generation Sonata is bigger, better equipped, more technologically advanced and sharper looking than the previous-generation pre-2006 model. I wish it had a different interior tho. On the upside, this adds inches to rear-seat legroom behind the driver, one of the multitude of measures in which the '06 Sonata bests the competition. There's nothing unique or especially exciting about driving the new Sonata, save for the fact it's a Hyundai.
A styling cue like an arched-eyebrow headlight treatment can go from eye-catching to invisible in a couple years. There's a roof-mounted, hinged assist handle inside every door. I was able to get into reverse, but the shift locked down again keeping me from going into drive. The automatic offered responsive performance while tackling the hills of San Francisco. The suspension layout looks good on paper, with double wishbones in front, multiple control links in back, and twin-tube gas-pressure shocks and stabilizer bars all 'round. The failure mileage was 32,000 and current mileage was 36,000.
The striking, concave hood reduces the car's perceived mass without cramping the engine compartment. No optional manual transmission is available for either of these two trims. On the plus side, that means more nimble and confident handling. Rear seats are accommodating, with the bottom cushion in the center position only minimally higher than and nearly as well padded as the outboard positions. On the flip side, that means a ride less insulated from rough roads.
Acceleration is brisk in the four-cylinder and brings a grin to the face in the V6. While driving various speeds or idling on an incline, the vehicle spontaneously rolls backwards as if it had a manual transmission. The light came on 2 more times in the next 4 days. Not that there's anything wrong or necessarily lacking in the ride and handling. This latest Hyundai Sonata marks a major step forward in the engine department and more than a couple steps forward in weight reduction. Air conditioner controls are mounted beneath the stereo, within the accent trim centered in the lower portion of the center stack.