Used 2006 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews
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Sonata Shortcomings
Gas mileage is suspect. While local driving is OK, highway mileage is low. I've gotten 25 MPG when driving on Interstates at the posted speed limits. When I asked about the mileage, I was told that the tests were done with 91 octane, which is not mentioned on the window sticker. It is in the owner's manual, but one does not see that until he/she is the owner. Frankly, I was disappointed that I can only get the low end of the mileage range with the recommended octane gas--87 octane. I don't believe the warranty lives up to the hype. If it does, why do I need to pay $1593 for additional warranty coverage?
So Far, So Good
Beautiful vehicle! Lots of power and lots of extras. The MPG seems (is!) less than advertised, and the when you take you foot off of the accelerator there seems to be a lot of drag in the automatic transmission - not sure if that is a feature or a bug. Overall, we are very happy with our Sonata. Time will tell as far as reliability, however the car feels solid so we don't expect any problems.
- GLS V6 SedanMSRP: $5,97710 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: $4,43916 mi away
- GL SedanMSRP: $3,99533 mi away
Good car could of been great
I love the interior and exterior styling of the car. I wish the car's rear did not look too much like the 05 Accord's, it needs its own identity. The front seats are very uncomfortable. The seat belt warning light does not turn off if you are not wearing one. The suspension is horrible, you feel every bump. It is not as silky smooth like an Accord or Camry. The steering wheel radio buttons serve no purpose, all they change is the volume and not your presets or cd track. It needs break away mirrors. This is a nice car but if they fix all my complaints this car beats an Accord and Toyota hands down, but it doesnt and this is why Hyundai will never beat a Honda or Toyota. It will always be # 3
My most liked car yet
I have owned many different types of vehicles, excepting SUV's, trucks, and real sports cars. Of them all, I really like this vehicle. Having driven a 4.6 V-8 for six years I was skeptical about this 4-cylinder but, after six weeks I now have no reservations at all. It's a very refined car for the price, and overall has a better highway ride than my previous 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. I get many compliments on it's looks. I am very satisfied.
Be careful Honda!
Honda and Toyota were two main imports that prevailed for the past decades. But it is official, the hell freezes over!! This Sonata out performes those Accords and Camries in terms of built quality and performance. Actually it can be compared with a Lexus or Acura league.
I Love My Sonata
My 2006 Sonata is everything that I had hoped for (except only getting 17 mpg). It is a great family car. Lots of room. Huge trunk. Remote keyless entry makes it so much easier. Built in security system. Great sound system. All of this and I am riding in style.
All this for how much?!?
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is a great car, it is the best car for the money. My wife and I traded in our 2003 Mazda 6i which cost the same amount when we purchased it, but came with a lot less standard equipment, less quality and a lot less power (4cyl vs v-6)!
Competitive Build, Great Value
After test driving all the obvious competitors, I purchased my Sonata. The value and warranty are impossible to beat. I've had to deal with a few minor quirks that the dealership can't/won't fix (strange dash panel fit around the radio, rattles coming from the windshield and the rear headliner). The exterior design is nice (looks like the offspring of a late-model Accord and an Audi A4) and the interior is decent. The manual mode on my auto transmission is a bit odd - it always feels like it lags behind my input when shifting. Overall, a great car with an exceptional warranty.
Great Car
We have had this for four months now and love this car. Performance, handling, and ride comfort are outstanding. The mp3 player will also play wma's. The only complaint is fuel mileage. Don't expect good mileage from this car. We have averaged just over 20 MPG. You should test drive this before you buy anything else.
Very happy customer
I am very happy with my Hyundai Sonata. It feels like I'm driving a much more expensive car. Even the buying experience was pleasant. I'm so glad I chose the Hyundai Sonato instead of the Toyota Camry (my previous car).
Exceptional value-Great Car
After taking a test drive on the Sonata I was sold. I have been very impressed by the fit and finish of the car. I am getting the 20/30 fuel rating listed and have enjoyed riding either to the store or on the road. Has great acceleration and is fun to drive. The LX is extremely quite and has a very big feel to it. Once people start to learn more about the new Sonata they will become more popular than the Camery ar Accord. Great value, best safety features available, and excellent quality. Best kept secret around. Great job Hyundai
Worth EVERY dollar
I purchased my 06 Sonata last week. All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE... Hyundai has gone way beyond everything they have put out before.
Hyundai needs new badge.
When I first saw this car through commercial, I thought "well thats a good looking car from hyundai". I didn't really care, until I saw a silver one on the road. I was in the market for a relatively reliable, all-around characteristic, and bang-for-the-buck sedan, so I visited Hyundai dealership right away. I was blown away when I first saw it, and I was in love with it when I got inside of it. I bought it after I test drove it. Do I need to say more? H is no long solely standing for Honda anymore. There is something called Hyundai coming very fast. I was never fan of hyundai. I heard few people saying its a nice car. Now, I believe it.
Very happy with this car!
I just bought this car last week, and I have to say it has to be one of the coolest cars I've ever owned! You cannot believe all of the features you can get on this car, all for under $25,000 dollars! Took it to the hand car wash and the man at the window looked in the camera screen and said "you own the Audi?" Wow! The car looks great and runs even better, what a great car and a great deal.
2006 Sonata Review
I saw, I drove, I own. This car is simply amazing for the dollar/fun raio. This being my fifth Hyundai, I may be a little biased, but compared to the Toyota and Honda, the Sonata wins my money every time. Great job Hyundai!!
Update
Now have over 27000 miles on my '06 Sonata and still love this car. It has been bullet proof so far. What impresses me the most is how smooth and quiet this car is. Except for the noise that comes from water spray on the undercarriage when it rains, this car is extremely quite. My friend owns a Lexus LS and this car is nearly as smooth and quiet as his car! Power is very good for a 4 cylinder, but is noticeable slower with the A/C running. ESC is great in the snow. Overall mileage has been 24.9 mpg with about 31 mpg on highway. Way more car for the money that with Toyota or Honda. Only issue is poor resale value. But that should improve as more people discover Hyundai.
Surprisingly fun
Hyundai Sonata fun? You bet! I would have never thought that I could get 80% of an A6 for less than half the price. This car has people staring trying to figure out who makes it. I thoroughly enjoy the comfort, quietness and overall performance of this vehicle and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sporty midsized car with a modest, but stunning look.
Hyundai can handle its own
We were skeptical when we bought our Hyundai. When Hyundai first came out years ago, I referred to them as "throw away" cars. I really wanted a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord, but I couldn't afford one. I liked the new look of the Sonata and i was in the right place at the right time. We love our car. Hyundai is keeping up with its competitors - The Camry and the Accord. We are pleased
A Challenge to the Japanese
A superbly-engineered vehicle with a full range of accessories, comfort, and power for less than $23,000.
"A TEN IN MY BOOK"
This is the second sonata I purchased with even better quality than 05 model. I bought the 06 4 cylinder GL model that drives like the V6. Others could not beat the ride, price-value, style or 5yr 60,000 bumper to bumper warranty.
standard stuff
The Santa Fe was my 1st new purchase and very happy with it. At my age I wanted something sporty and nice looking. I love my new Sonata, has everything I liked and was able to custom it for me, such as sharp chrome rims and a spoiler, and it gets lots of looks. The comfort is as good as the santa fe but the mileage is even better. but once again there's no lighting for the door lock buttons.
Audi quality at Hyundai price
My test driving of this vehicle seriously convinced me to make the purchase. The fit and finish of this vehicle is far superior to any other its competitors. I was shocked by its low sticker price while I was expecting at least $30,000 for this new model. (I was happy though)
AWESOME!!!
I recently traded-in my Accord EX for 06 Hyundai Sonata LX. WOW!!! This car is amazing. It's sleek, fast, and comfortable. Good job Hyundai!
You must test drive this car!
After doing extensive research on several comparable models I "discovered" the Sonata on Edmunds.com and I'm sure glad I did! I hadn't considered a Hyundai, but I was willing to keep an open mind and give all the vehicles a shot. This car is very tight & solid, has great acceleration and is very pleasing to the eye. The doors close w/ a heavy thud, not a tinny feeling like some models. The interior knobs and buttons have a substantial feel to them and are placed in a logical order. The shiftronic transmission coupled w/ the V6 makes for a very fun driving experience. So many standard features for the price really make this a car you MUST consider.
Hyundai - Keep Doing the Good Job
Put 800 miles in two weeks. Very quiet, smooth ride; Handling well; Luxury feel (LX model) with Sunroof and Sound systeim upgrade (Package 3). Very roomy; Lot of cargo space. Mixed city and highway driving between 20.5 to 22 mpg (non-agressive driving behavior); Great workmenship both interior and exterior. The Reliability index is just what I've predicted. The actual could varies.
Love it so far--you need one
I never thought I would have a Hyundai sitting in my driveway. Happened to see the commercial and thought it looked nice. The more I found out about it, the more I liked it. Car has lived up to all my expectations so far except gas mileage is low (mine has averaged approx. 22.5 mpg 80% highway) Build quality and driving experience are excellent for a car this price. Wouldn't have bought the new model without the warranty.
Diligent Shopper
I was hesitant to buy a Hyundai at first. In the last two months, however, I have bought two! I was very satisfied with my purchase of a Hyundai Tucson so I took a good luck at the Sonata. I was very impressed by the fit and finish, ride quality and solid performance of the 235hp V6. It is very smooth and practically silent and free of vibrations while idling. I found the driver's seat a bit firm at first, but I got used to that in a very short time. I researched my purchase over several months. I looked at everything from the Volvo S40 to the Ford Fusion, and found that the Sonata was the best overall value. Best of all, the performance of the Sonata beat the all. I am very pleased.
skeptical at first, but very happy
I have had hondas, fords and my last car was a nissan sentra, I wanted something more roomy and with more power and i found it. At first I was skeptical about getting a hyundai, but it was more car that fit my budget and it has proved me wrong. I would suggest this car to anyone, and this is just a base model and it has more features then a the honda 2006 base.
Amazing car, its hyundai's time to shine
I love my car. I actually go outside just to look at it. It looks the best at night, but also at all other times. So far everything has worked perfectly. No problems what so ever. I had a 2002 Camry before this car and now I am converted to Hyundai!!
Nice!
Can not beat the price, this car in an equivalant Honda or Toyota would have costed $3,000 to $4,000 more and doesn't even come with roadside assistance nor 5 year warranty.
Great Car, Here are the things I would fix
Great Car. I wrote my review already about this car, here are my suggestions towards a better car. They need to fix the front seats, they are very very uncomfortable. Needs break away mirrors. Take that damn seatbelt warning off, it drives me crazy. The ride is choppy, it's not as smooth as a accord or camry. If they fix this the car would outsell toyota and honda hands down. Also, change the rear lights, it looks to much like the 05 accord, it needs its own identity.
I Love this car
This car is amazing, I got a steal of a deal, and for the price of base accord's, and camry's my care is fully loaded(v6,homelink,leather,seat heaters,auto air, sunroof,subwoofer). The car is Very fast, I totally enjoy the great pull anywhere in the rev range, and the throaty growl btw 4-5k. I'm 6'4 and can sit with the seat fully extended, and still not touch the drivers seat when i sit in the back. The mileage is amazing(34mpg going 75mph), but i noticed i get only 24mpg when i put premium in it.
Thrilled with this new car!
I've only had this car a week, so my review at this point is limited. However, it truly is a joy to drive. Smooth, solid feeling, responsive, comfortable, FUN! I have the loaded model, and so far no complaints. I've also had several people tell me what a great looking car it is. The quality and value for the price is amazing, and anyone shopping around should definitely go try this car before they decide!
I love my Sonata!
I traded a 2002 Elantra for my '06 Sonata and what an upgrade! I commute 100 miles per day, which is what led me to purchase a Hyundai in the first place, due to the fantastic warranty. I bought my Sonata on Mother's Day of '06 and now have almost 80k miles on it. I have had no problems with this car. It does not let me down. It's fun to drive with plenty of pick up and roomy comfort. I have taken on several long trips and it averages about 30 MPG on the highway. I have gotten as much as 39 MPG out of it, but under limited circumstances. This is a really great car! Mine is black, so always dirty, but I really love it.
Luxury became more affordable
This vehicle is not in the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord league... I would say my Sonata LX is in more of Lexus or Acura league...Well, Hyundai does not have its luxury division as of yet but it will soon... Its interior is larger than those Camry or Accord. Performance? 6.7 seconds from 0-60 with excellent road management ability. All premium features such as Advanced Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System, ABS are standard. Safety is the best in its class.
Definately Better Than Accord or Camry
I previously owned Accord and Camry V6. This time, I hesitated to buy a Hyundai because of the past Excel reputation. But now I am very pleased with my purchase. I believe Hyundai has improved tremendously. The engine of 4-cylinder Sonata is quieter than Accord and even Camry V6. It has a lot more room inside of car and trunk than both Accord and Camry. Also, both Accord and Camry offer 3 years or 30,000 miles warranty (which is basically non existent warranty) because problems start occuring after 30,000 miles. Above all, I like basic safety features Sonata comes with. I highly recommend Sonata above Accord and Camry as a preowner of all three vehicles.
06 Sonata!
This is a very smooth ride, takes the humps and bumps of the road with ease. The world outside isn't heard inside I don't hear the rush of the wind as it passes over the car. Easy to navigate into those shrinking parking spaces. The V6 models are manufactured in america. I had this model as a rental the week prior to buying it. I was looking to buy another 4x4. I'm not a car person I decided to add a car to my family of vehicles(I drive a 04 silverado with a 4-inch lift& a 95 blazer)there are lots of options available to me, I did my research and it just seemed to be the best as far as safety, price, warranty, & miles per gallon as well as comfort features. The internet was a huge help!
2006 Hyundai
great styling - much more than expected. performance very good, gas mileage quiet, and very smooth ride. best in safety features.
Finally, a Toyota/Honda Killer
Picked it up from the local dealer, Delray Hyundai, nice guys. They had the car from a dealer trade (previous dealer had a $1,900.00 adjustment on it...ouch for Miami). The car is great. Took it on a 3800 mile trip already and it feels great. More room in the back seat area than ANY other car like it. The truck--- my son said it could hold 3 bodies... Well, at least 4 peoples luggage. 4cyl-4sp Auto is just fine. It's a great car.
Best Value on the Market
I drove just about every thing available in mid-size sedans. For the money, I couldn't find another car that could compete with the '06 Sonata. Never thought I would buy a Hyundai ... until I drove this one. You owe it to yourself to check one out and save yourself a lot of $$$! Every bit as good as Nissan or Toyota ... and much better than anything Ford/GM/Chrysler offers.
Kenny,s dream
dream to drive, look for every excuse to go on highway, tour whole neighbourhood just to get milk at corner store, extremely quiet and smooth, passing power on highway simply beautiful
Great fuel, great warranty
I was looking for an inexpensive car that would take a beating. I own a farm on a dirt road but drive a distance on expressways to get there. My Sonata gets great mileage, especially around 60 MPH. The few minor problems I have had have been fixed for free and without a long wait. Exactly what I was looking for from a warranty.
2006 SONATA GLS (LOVE IT)
This is my first Hyundia and i love it. It has a smooth ride and the 3.3L engine has more power than you would expect. This car is loaded with cool and smart features. The safety concerns bulit in this car is first class all the way. Do yourself a favor and atleast go to a dealer and check out what this car offers. I did it and love the smart choice i made.
a better car than Camry or Accord
I like the PRICE, WARRANTY, PAINT JOB, PERFORMANCE, safety features, interior, exterior, QUIETNESS, design, interior features, options, 17in rims and the STYLING. I have never been this excited about getting a new car. It's a good family car, as well as, a single man's car. Classy yet Sporty. Very Practical.
Better than the rest
Traded in an 05 Sonata which was an excellent vehicle but the 06 just rocks. Much better than anything else I have owned. Build quality and drivability is a top. I would reccomend to anyone. Paid $20,100 for the LX V6 with the sunroof and sound package. Nothing comes close.
A great automobile at a great price.
This is a handsome quality vehicle, well-appointed inside, possessing every safety feature I was looking for, at a remarkably low price and with an exceptionally robust warranty. The 4 cylinder has plenty of power and is quiet while cruising at 75 mph. Mileage is somewhat disappointing in the city and is not particulary great on the highway, considering it's a four. In a nutshell, hat's off to Hyundai for bringing this great car to the American market.
Comfort is so so
I have owned my car for 17 months, bought is at 13k miles, now at 38,500k. So far it's been very reliable except for one issue. It has a tendency to cut out or have minor hesitation when going up hills. Dealership says nothing is wrong, not hard coding. I use the 100% gas (non ethanol)and it seems to help. The front seats lack comfort. My back quickly starts hurting on trips, I must use a small pillow for the lumbar area. Have already had the following replaced: Driver side door lock, sun visor and window assembly.
Crashed Approved
This is my second review. Wife and daughter T-boned a lady driving a Saturn Outlook doing 50 MPH in our Sonata GLS, then spun out into a ditch. Based on the damage our car was totaled. The Sonata held up very well, all 4 doors would still open and the front end crumple zones took the impact very well. I was very impressed with the safety of the vehicle, both wife and daughter walked away pretty much unharmed. I would buy another Sonata based on this alone, including other features like the fun to drive, comfort and reliability factor. BEST car on the market for the money, hands down.
The Best I have ever owned !
When driving through Alabama in Sept .05 and staying at a motel a stranger saw my 03 Sonata and asked me if i liked the car.My reply was a yes, he said if you like this one wait until you see the new 06 Sonata, well wait i did, on june 28th i bought a gls V- 6 .Let me say that the 10 month was worth it.The new Sonata is everything I expected and more, a world class head turner with great power looks and handeling and a price ever i can afford.
A#1 FAUX EURO-CRUISER
Not a 6i in corners but solid.Quiet,refined,stately Buick-like ride and build quality.Astonishingly competent,loud tunes in base pkg.-if you can lose the roof check out the sound system and save the 1.4 grand.Two quotes for 799.00 to bump up to a 10 year wrap on the B2B warranty- 12k mi. or 1 year to do it.Huge upgrade over the previous generation in the engine/looks dept.-this car is especially handsome in Ebony or Deepwater blue,Cinnamon too.Trans does very well and is smooth,mud guards easy install,oil filter on TOP of the new,powerful 3.3 plant.If had black leather I would be in heaven rather than on cloud9.At 21,495 after 2k in rebates coupled with base warr.equals no-brainer/win-win.