Used 2006 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews
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Test drive b4 you buy anything under 30K
This car is a compromise between price and perfection. Unbelievably closer to perfection considering the price. In terms of the cost-savings per deveation from perfection, the Sonata shines. I adjusted the cost of the following cars for each "defect" that needed improvement(Test Drive Rating)/ (Value Rating)..VolvoS40 1/2, HyundaiSonata 2/1, HondaAccord 3/3, ToyotaCamary 4/2, MitsubishiGalant 5/4, Mazda6 5/5, FordFusion 5/5, & NissanAltima/(felt cheap). S40 had fewer deductions, cost much more. Camary cost slightly more & had a horrible door armrest, losing more points than Sonota's cruise/radio buttons on the steering wheel. Insurance savers on Sonata - etched glass & alarm - standard.
Great Car
I traded my '01 Blazer for this car mainly for fuel economy. My only complaint is that Hyundai does not offer a rear spoiler and the car does not come with automatic locks. The 17" wheels offer a much stiffer ride than what I'm used to, but it's not bad. The interior seems spacious, but I think I'll have to get a smaller child's car seat for comfort of rear seat passengers.
- GL SedanMSRP: $2,9007 mi away
- GLS V6 SedanMSRP: $2,999115 mi away
- GL SedanMSRP: $3,199124 mi away
awesome
It's an awesome car...by far the best one i owned- considing I had a daewoo!
I hope mine is Not a lemon!
I purchased the car on 4/2/06. I drove it to Florida on 4/7. Enroute,the "ESC OFF" and the ABS warning lights came on,and the brake lights stopped working. I took the car to a Hyundai dealership in Gainesville. They replaced the brake lamp switch,and reassured me that it was the cause of the trouble. While on the way back home, I dicovered that not only does the "ESC OFF" light still come on, but the brake lights stay on, the cruise control won't set, and the Check Engine light is on! The car is now at the dealership that sold it to me,awaiting proper repairs. I hope that they will be able to correct the problems,or I will seek relief under the NYS Lemon Law.
What an excellent car
First i considered Camry or Accord but were too expensive and had less features than Sonata. So I purchased one and it is just Flawless. Built quality is still not as good as Japanese cars but otherwise, the Sonata is the winner even with the 4cyl engine. Roomy cabin, excellent ride quality and subpar steering. The cabin is quite even above 70miles/h. Guage is clear and simple. 4speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Sonata is not only a great family car, it is also fun to drivc!!
Great Car
Well I have never been as happy with any new car as I am with this one. This is one great car. I can't get this car away from my wife nearly often enough. The V6 is spectacular, loads of power and very smooth. The manual shifting option is great in the mountians especially for passing. The front passenger seat could be more comfortable though. All in all a great car for the money. I am considering buying one for myself, as we like it so much.
Very Pleased
We spent considerable time researching mid-size cars before going for a road test. We narrowed our choice to a Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. After the road test we decided on the Sonata because of its comfort, how it handled on the road, and its performance. We wanted a 4 cyl., but also enough power to handle and perform well. We have not been disappointed at all. The Sonata is a wonderful car for its price, comfort, handling and performance. We have gotten 26 mpg for around town and 34 mpg on the highway. For a couple or a small family, this is an ideal mid- size car.
Camry Beater
great car fun to drive handles well, lots of room up front large trunk. love the 5 speed automatic great for merging on the highway all the dials are user friendly nice features like steering wheel mounted radio volune and mute buttons
by far best buy for money
I have had many cars from Cadillacs to TR6's. Few have continued to attract me to want to drive more often. It is truly "driver friendly". In black it gives the appearance of a more costly vehicle. Passing power is impressive, as is it's excellent braking system. Audio controls on steering wheel lacks station changing mode. Also, radio is placed where air/heat controls should be. I am averaging about 17-18.5 city, and between 24 and 25 highway @ (75- 78 mph.) If Hyundai ever goes upscale to Lexus status i will buy one. Until then, I am quite satisfied.
2006 Hyundi
Not at all happy with this car since I picked it up from the dealer. It had pulsating on the brakes and a vibration while driving. This was on city streets. Had to go back twice to have the rotors turned and wheels balanced. Vibration was never fixed to my satisfaction for a new car and was told that there is nothing wrong. Washer pump failed at 120K Strut mount bushings had to be changed at 130K Head lights need to be replaced at least once a year and engine light comes on with no fault and needs to be reset. The initial cost is attractive but the resale value is not there so as far as I am concerned the cost of ownership is high. I will not buy another Hyundi. I have owned two Sonatas.
Great Car
This car is a great car for the money. Interior and Exterior looks are great.
Would not buy again. Looks good-eats gas
Have driven the car 11,000 miles and gas mileage average is 19.9 MPG (for the 11K miles), sticker said 20 City, 30 Hwy. Rust spot by the sunroof, paint starting to peel around stone dings. Carpeting already worn by driver's left foot rest. It is reliable, the new 235 hp engine is fun to drive, except lagging acceleration in passing. Had to replace horn, it had gone dead. Dealer does not keep promises for service. Had to call Hyundai to schedule service by dealer, since service manager would not return calls. Other offerings offer greater value in this price range. Was looking at the AZERA, sharp looking car... but after this experience, will go somewhere else.
You should BUY THIS CAR!!!
Only 1000 miles but I am very pleased. Camry/Accord didn't have enough room for my long legs; Sonata does. Plenty of room for my family of five and I find the front seats to be quite comfortable. Stable and secure ride, sure brakes, fantastic acceleration and very acceptable milage for a V6 as long as you don't try to red line the tach each time you take off; 32 hwy and about 20 city. I think the refinements and quality of the car may not quite match those of Accord and Camry and only time will tell how well it holds up, but the price makes this car an excellent value. Hyundai has come a long way in the past ten years. I'll post again after a few more thousand miles.
Commuter Dream
My wife drives this car 80% of the time to make her daily 36 mile round trip commute to work and home. It has made quite an impact on her when you consider our previous car was a shaker and rattler. The interior of this car is large with lots of rear leg room. Fit and finish is quite pleasant and unexpected in a car priced below equally equipped Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys. Those two models would easily have been two or three thousand additional dollars. Our only complaint to date has been squeeky brakes when reversing. (Paid our dealer to fix but came back just as bad!) Ride is quiet and comfortable. Superior warranty sold me right away. Doors sound great and solid when closed.
great car good price
I have had this car 2 years its fast and rides good not crampted have room to strech on long run. The back seat is comfortable and easy to get in and out. gas milage good if i could keep my foot out of it 24 to 27 mpg city
Quick little 4 Cyl.
Every thing about this car is better, the trunk has more space and even with more HP than last years model this car still get between 32-37 mpg. on the highway.
Best bang for the buck!
Had the car for 2months and only got 500 miles in. Still breaking it in.
hyundai value second to none
Excellent build quality combined with luxury options brings this vehicle to a level second to none. Why pay more for Camry & Accord when you get the same degree of quality and I have owned both. Love the power on the V- 6.By the way this is my second Hyundai.I own a Elantra 5-door GT dubbed it the red rocket and that car is a winner too! Go Hyundai.
Most reliable family sedan in NA
It does every work when I need to do such as passing ahead, emergeny break, cornering at high speed.
The car is A OK.
The driving is very good. Good power, and good handling. Have had no problems with the car so far.
Never would have gotten one before now.
The new sytle is what got me into the dealer to begin with. Great car lots of power behind the 3.3 litre. Inside qual not as good as a Toyota but you are not spending as much and yet still get a bunch more. Drives very nice and I see a good future for Hyundai with this new car.
Its AWESOME
I've always been hesitant to even look at Hyundai's. When the new Sonata came out I liked the design and decided to take a closer look. OMG. This car blew me away. So I bought it and have not looked back. I am banking on the 100,000 warranty to run out way before this car does. Honda, Toyota, move over... Here comes my Sonata.
Surprised in PA
The car is surprisingly nimble and attractive. The 6 cyclinder engine is powerful and throaty. The dealer however leaves something to be desired. Maintenance department employs strange and scary charachters
Very good car...but not perfect
With one exception, this has been a great car. The driver's side seat (non-powered but adjustable)has a squeak that has not been "repairable" after the third visit. The seat is comfortable, but squeaks at stops and starts. It can get rather annoying. Otherwise the car has been all that I could ask for, especially at the price.
Three Plus Years and Counting
Bought my Hyundai Sonata because of the price, warranty, and features. Have owned it more than three years. Dealer replaced dead windshield washer pump at three years. No major problems in three years. Would and will buy more Hyundai products. My biggest complaint is the road noise when driving on the interstate. Those ole boys (and girls) in Alabama build a GREAT car for the money!
Definitely give Hyundai a look
I still get insulted by others making fun of my car being Hyundai. But I am quick to inform them that my own experiences and continued positive reviews make Hyundai a formidable competitor in the auto industry. Hyundai is advancing so quickly that the Sonata is already behind in relation to other Hyundais. Even still, this vehicle is similar to Honda and Toyota in every sense and surpasses Nissan and most American builders. I owned a 2002 Altima which was a nightmare. I plan to be one of the first to test drive Hyundai's new Genesis sports sedan. If you're looking to save money but still want a quality, stylish, dependable vehicle. At least test drive a Sonata.
Best vehicle for the money.
I recently bought my vehicle and other than having a slight noise on the window while it's going up and down I must say I'm quite satisfied for now.
DRIVE THIS CAR before you buy!
This car has blown me away from day one. This car is more comfortable, quiet and refined than my Altimas and Maximas ever were. The V6 makes this car a very quick sedan, and it stays composed at all times. At 80mph on the highway, it's nearly silent. When you factor in the performance, VALUE, refinement, all the standard safety features and the warranty - this is the only car to buy.
Excellent Car
Pleased in almost every way with new 06 V6 LX Sonata. It drives great and looks great. No problems after 5,000 miles. Gas mileage is a bit disappointing getting only about 26 mpg highway. Steering wheel radio controls should be improved to allow changing between preset channels and the trip computer controls should be added to the steering wheel radio controls like those found on other cars. Many impressive safety features like stability control and dual side airbags aren't even available on most other cars in class. Overall all I love the car. I have no regrets in trading in my 2003 Nissan Altima which was a good car but didn't hold a candle to Sonata's builty quality or performance.
What a deal!!
This was a best buy for comfort,gadgets,style,price and especially the 24MPG/city and 29.7MPG/highway fuel consumption I consistently get on regular grade gas. A little more play in the steering than I like but still handles very well. The shiftronic shifting makes driving safe on slick roads and fun on dry roads. It's performance is everything Hyundai promises.I like fast!! I am not crazy about the sound system but the rest of the car makes up for it. I would buy it again. Way to go Hyundai!
Great car great value
I really enjoy driving this car. I have owned many cars and this ranks with any of them. It is not quite as enjoyable to drive and as luxurious as my grandprix gtp but it also didnt cost as much and it has excellent safety features and warranty. I have never heard of a car with so many options at such a low cost 19k. I will buy another hyundai when I buy my next car!
Squeaky Squaky Suspension
I love my '06. Bought it used. Only one thing I hate besides the seat belt chime is the car creaks and groans over speed bumps and or rough driveways. Sounds like the rear window is being flexed or something back there is flexing and creaking. Dealer can't find anything. They've reinforced the package shelf and replaced the rear shocks. No noise when it's rainy outside and the road is wet. Anybody have this problem or have a solution? Great car, otherwise!
Better than I expected
I did the usual and spent a lot of time looking at the Accord and Camry. I wasn't convinced about Nissan's reliability and I didnt' like the Altima/Maxima styling. I was surprised when i test drove the Sonata. It's quite competent and very stable. While not a sports car, it handles itself well. The steering can be bit numb if you get the 16 inch tires.
Good, dependable, inexpensive car
I first saw the new Sonata a year ago from behind, and thought to myself, this is a BEAUTY! Hyundai has been known for building better and better cars every year, so when my old Accord started giving me trouble, I knew the Sonata will be a good choice for the next 5-6-7 years... I've been driving Camrys for years. We now also own an '05 V6 Accord -- and driving the Sonata I feel in no way like driving an inferior car!
Luv my Hyundai
On a budget of only $14,000, I wanted to find a good pre-owned family sedan and my choice was between a 2002 Honda Accord LX with 78,000 miles w/ barely any options or a 2006 Sonata V6 with 28,000 miles fully loaded. Well after the test drive, hands down the Sonata had every the Accord had and plenty more. The ride is smooth w/ in my opinion a good fuel economy V6. I had test driven 3 different V6 Sonata's at the same dealership and all were averaging about 25-26mpg. The car I finally decided to get still averages that in mix driving and I recently did a road trip where I put @ 70mph 450 miles with the trip computer indicating 55 miles more til empty. This is an awesome car.
Former Passat Owner
I've got pratically all the features that were in my fully loaded '02 Passat, yet several thousand dollars cheaper. The six year 60,000 mile full coverage warranty was quite a draw too. So far so good!
Great family car for the price
Purchased my Sonata GLS V 6 in May 2006. I have driven it to Sarasota Fla twice so far [985 miles one way }. I averaged 30 mpg on the hwy fully loaded with 3 adults & 2 younger children. city milage is about 21 mpg . V6 has more power than needed , but great on the hwy. First time Sonata owner , I have on complaint , disc breakes squeak alot when damp .
2005 buy back for new 2006
The 2006 was a buy back from Hyundai for us from a 2005 that was in the shop more then it was on the street. The 2005 was truely in the shop constantly. With much negoitiation, the 2005 was bought back and replaced with a new 2006. The 2006 is a much better car, more room, more power and better styling. The motor is responsive on the bottom end but seems to lag a little after the initial acceleration. The only problem so far is the back power window cable broke after about a 1000 miles. No other issues so far. This is the forth Hyundai we have had over many years and the 2006 is far superior over the first one we had when Hyundai first sold in the states. That one was a real dog!
Good car bad dealers
The Sonata runs god and has nice power. the seats could have better thigh suport. The build quility could be better. But the worst thing is the dealer attitude. My rear brakes howl when i turn left, and the dealer refuses to do anything because this only happens to the 4 cyl. cars. the paint is peeling off on the bumper. the seat rattles and the dealer says they can't do anything because that's how they build these things. So i went to the other dealer in town who also sells buick and doesn't have any time or desire to help a hyundai owner. So I'm going back to Toyota where I've always got very good cars and very good service. Hyundai a good car but not there yet.
I Love this car!
I puchased my Sonata after hating my Saturn Vue. I made sure I drove every car on the market-Altimas, Galants, Malibus, Impalas etc. I always came back to the Sonata for the interior space and the look of the car. I like how it took turns and it was very comfy.
Sunroof Noise
I just traded my 2002 Sonata for the 2006 Aquamarine V6 GLS with the 17" wheels, sunroof, etc. It's a beauty. The only issue I have is the noise from the wind when the sunroof is open. It's a lot louder on this car than my 2002.
Fun
The car is very quiet. Great pick up....looks good. A very enjoyable car.
Love It
I love this car. It is a treat to drive and I get TONS of compliments on it. There are a couple things lacking, though. It would have been nice to have a tuner on the steering wheel and lumbar support in the passenger seat. Otherwise it is fantastic.
mileage
Overall the vehicle is a good alternative to competing vehicles in the same class. However, I find the gas economy a poor alternative to other vehicles. For local mixed driving I am getting a poor 21.5 mpg as compared to 24 mpg advertised. On highway long distance driving of 200 miles and 150 miles local driving I got a poor 26.5 mpg. These numbers are achieved by taking consumed miles divided by gallons on fillup using a calculator not the onboard computer. Perhaps Hyundai should issue a tecnical service bulletin to correct this deficiency. Hundai should be aware that we use advertised ratings when we consider any vehicle purchase particularly in these days of high gas prices.
Love It!!
Absolutely LOVE the car!! It provides comfort & very high safety features, sleek, fun design. Great gas mileage! GREAT buy!!
Just bought it.
Runs great, sounds and feels great. Few points deducted on interior of the LX for little things like the incomplete audio controls on the steering wheel (seek/skip), and the placement of the audio equipment, which is a good reach from the driver's seat. The interior is spectacular for the price but isn't luxurious as its more expensive competitors (accord, g6). Handling is excellent. Power and response is again, great for the price. Not a G6, but pretty close. Equal to the Mazda 6. And although it doesn't "feel" like it has the power of the malibu's 3.5 it responds quicker. The "manual" feature is fun. Gas mileage isn't great in the class. Overall: Good car, but a great value.
Bigger, better, & cheaper than my Accord
Buying this car, I made a step-down in features from my former 2002 Honda Accord coupe. But the price difference more than made it worth it. I love the spacious interior, but bought it for the HUGE trunk space, as I make long trips south each winter, and need to pack it full with clothes & supplies. Once I got used to no power seat or side mirrors, I enjoyed driving this as much as the Accord, with more power for pulling out fast when needed, or passing quickly. Steering a bit mushy, seat could be more supportive. Love the MP3 CD feature - made several from iTunes playlists. I don't drive many miles (young retiree!), but not one problem in the 20,000 so far. Sheet metal does dent easy.
Great family car
We bought this car for the family. I was an Accord owner before and I was looking for something comparable. The wife and I do love to drive this car. We have a couple of teenagers who will soon start driving so I know they will enjoy it as much as we do.
Great VALUE
Just took delivery of my GLS V6 (paid $17,500 with no extra options but rebates just went up another $500 so I missed out on that). Nice so far. Just an incredible value compared to Honda & Toyota. Although I love the deal, I can't believe Hyundai has to offer such high rebates. That does not bode well for their future. More people need to get on the Hyundai bandwagon because you save so much $ (even without rebates) and get more for your money. I guess it is harder to overcome past quality stigma than expected, but Hyundai has arrived. Like everything I read, a comparable Accord or Camry might be slightly better but at way higher cost. Sonata won't depreciate as well but costs less.
Glad I bought it
I bought this car as a replacement for our gas guzzling minivan. The biggest draw was the standard safety features. My wife and I looked at the competitors, none of them offered comparable equipment for anywhere near the same price point. The engine is strong and works well with the 5 speed auto transmission and while the handling may not be a best in class sports sedan it certainly is acceptable for my everyday driving needs. I have owned an accord and still own a camry, both are good cars but this is the first hyundai I ever considered buying and so far I think it's worth it. I would recommend this car to others.