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"The introduction of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata is the most important vehicle debut in the history of Hyundai." This bold statement was made by Hyundai Motor America's CEO Bob Cosmai. Granted, many press introductions are filled with this kind of hyperbole as well as hokey sales meeting clichés like "hit the numbers" but Hyundai officials may not be overstating the importance of their newest car.
The Hyundai Sonata is the company's best-selling model and accounts for roughly 26 percent of total Hyundai sales.
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is built on a new platform at an all-new U.S. factory in Montgomery, Alabama — the first Hyundai to be built in America. The sedan is bigger and offers two new engines plus a new five-speed automatic transmission. Think Hyundai is serious about making the Sonata a contender? We do.
Improved Interior
The new car is 2 inches longer and taller with a 1-inch-longer wheelbase than the previous Sonata. It's wider than the 2005 versions of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
Once inside the car, it doesn't appear notably larger than its Japanese rivals but the rear seat does offer about a half-inch more legroom than the Camry. The trunk is spacious as well and offers more room than the Accord and Altima. Only the Camry tops the Sonata in this area with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Hyundai's 16.3.
But numbers don't tell the whole story. The 2006 Sonata's interior is not only larger than before, it looks and feels better, too. The dash and door panels are covered with soft-touch materials that, in some places, mimic the feel of an Audi. That's not to say the entire interior is up to Audi standards, but our initial impression is that this Hyundai's cabin is definitely on par with its direct competitors.
The seats are reasonably comfortable but the seat bottoms are too short and even the power-adjustable driver seat in the upscale LX model was difficult to position exactly right. We also feel the leather-covered seats are a little less comfortable than the cloth seats. Thankfully, that cloth is as good as or better than that found on cars like the benchmark Honda Accord. Even the cloth inserts on the doors feel soft and durable.
Lots of Features
The Sonata is offered in three trim levels: base GL ($17,895), midlevel GLS ($18,795) and "loaded" LX ($20,895). The base car comes with features like six airbags, cruise control, ABS, stability and traction control, remote keyless entry and an MP3/CD player. The midlevel GLS has extras like 16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic lights. The LX adds features like heated leather seats, sunroof, 17-inch wheels, V6, five-speed automatic and a power driver seat.
The GL and GLS come standard with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. A 3.3-liter V6 is optional on the GLS and standard on the LX. The four-cylinder makes 162 hp and uses variable valve timing. The V6 makes 235 hp and delivers its 226 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Driving Dynamics
The power and refinement of both engines are notable with the V6 being more fun and responsive. Still, the smaller engine doesn't sound or feel harsh and those who prefer the fuel economy and lower price of a four-cylinder car won't get shortchanged by choosing the Sonata GL or GLS.
The LX with its standard V6, 17-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot tires feels sportier and comes close to the Honda Accord's taut feel. The '06 Sonata is no road racing champ but it does have a combination of firm brakes, a powerful engine and predictable handling that makes it an entertaining drive should the mood strike you.
On the open highway, the Sonata LX is remarkably quiet. Even at speeds of 80 mph and above, wind and road noise are never intrusive. In city driving, the five-speed automatic transmission worked well. It never hunted or chose the wrong gear. If anything, the transmission is reluctant to downshift but this is likely due to the Sonata's V6 delivering most of its torque at a fairly low engine speed. Still, when downshifts came they were smooth and sure.
Tough Competition
On the whole, the new Sonata is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It's attractive inside and out and is filled with standard features like six standard airbags and stability control. We don't like the leather seats and would wish for a more premium stereo on the LX model, but Hyundai has done so much right that it boils down to nitpicking.
The 2006 Sonata may be the first Hyundai we can recommend without qualifiers like "for the price." Sub-$20,000 pricing (GL only) and 100,000-mile warranties will only get you so far. With the Sonata's excellent attention to detail and generous standard features, the price is just icing on the cake. It may sound like blasphemy but Camry and Accord shoppers now have one more stop to make at the local auto mall before deciding on a midsize sedan.
Used 2006 Hyundai Sonata listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2006 Hyundai Sonatas for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 1,451 used and CPO 2006 Sonatas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 800 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 164 on a used or CPO 2006 Sonata available from one of 2,634 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2006 Hyundai Sonata ?
Save up to $163.6 on one of 25 used 2006 Hyundai Sonatas for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $800 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 15 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2006 Hyundai Sonata trim styles:
The used 2006 Hyundai Sonata GL is priced around $4163 with average odometer reading of 107213 miles.
The used 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 is priced around $4349 with average odometer reading of 100817 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
Available Hyundai Sonata 2006 Submodel Types: Sedan
Available Hyundai Sonata 2006 Trims: SE, SE SULEV, SEL SULEV, Sport, SE PZEV, Limited SULEV, Limited, GLS PZEV, SEL, Sport PZEV, Limited PZEV, Sport 2.0T, Limited 2.0T, Base, Base PZEV, GLS V6, Limited w/Brown Leather PZEV, Eco, Limited 2.0T w/Black Leather and Gray Accents, Limited V6, Sport 2.0T w/Black Leather and Gray Accents, Sport 2.0T w/Black Leather, Eco w/Prod. End 9/30, GL, GLS, LX, Limited w/Brown Leather, SE V6
Exterior Colors: Quartz White Pearl, Phantom Black, Symphony Silver, Machine Gray, Scarlet Red, Lakeside Blue, Electric Blue, Shale Gray Metallic, Radiant Silver, Venetian Red, Harbor Grey Metallic, Pacific Blue Pearl, Dark Truffle, Nouveau Blue, Midnight Black, Phantom Black Metallic, Shimmering White, Iridescent Silver Blue Pearl, Pearl White, Sparkling Ruby, Indigo Blue Pearl, Black Plum Pearl, Deepwater Blue, Indigo Night, Willow Gray, Camel Pearl, Dark Cherry Red, Silver Blue, Slate Blue, Brilliant Silver, Powder White Pearl, Bright Silver, Desert Bronze, Ebony Black, Urban Sunset, Arctic White, Ardor Blue, Desert Sand, Golden Beige, Medium Silver Blue, Natural Khaki, Noble White, Slate Gray, Steel Gray, White Pearl
Interior Colors: Gray premium cloth, Beige premium cloth, Black leather/cloth, Gray leather, Black leather, Gray leather/cloth, Black premium cloth, Camel cloth, Beige leather, Camel leather, Camel premium cloth, Black Leather w/Gray Accent leather, Brown leather, Gray cloth, Wine leather, Black, Beige, Beige cloth
Popular Features: Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Bluetooth, Back-up camera, Blind Spot Monitoring, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Keyless Entry/Start, Post-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Cooled Seats, Upgraded Headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Navigation, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pre-collision safety system, Parking sensors, Alarm, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Trip Computer, Remote Start, Upgraded Stereo, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Auto Climate Control, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Power Driver Seat
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATED_MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2006 Hyundai Sonata Overview
The used 2006 Hyundai Sonata is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include GLS V6 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 5A), LX 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 5A), and GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Sonata models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2006 Sonata comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed shiftable automatic, 4-speed shiftable automatic.
