Hyundai Sonata 2006-2007

ray_h1

Take a test drive.

era174

ken_zen, I don't think so.

I heard that NHTSA itself respects IIHS data more than its own, believe it or not.

Check this IIHS site.
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

The 2006 Sonata's record is not released yet.

The 2005 Sonata's rating is one of the worst: side impact & Rear crash protection/head restraint ratings.

I guess the 2006 model has improved, but wait until its report card is in.

According to IIHS, the Subaru Legacy is the safest mid-sized car, safer than Audi A-3 & A-4. The Saab 9-3 is also rated the safest but it's pricey.

The Volvo S40 is a premium COMPACT car, not mid-sized.

Even though the S40's safety points are a little lower than other vehicles, I'm pretty sure, it's way safer than the Sonata and the Civic (rated the safest compact car).

The safety ratings sometimes do not translate into REAL WORLD crash protection. That's where Volvo vehicles excel any other cars easily.

At Volvo's crash test centers, they do MORE SEVERE and FREQUENT safety tests than NHTSA and IIHS combined. Not only Volvo's crash protection is excellent, but also its seat & head restraint design (often car makers do not pay much attention to) is top notch. It uses BORON STEEL, one of the toughest steels that Volvo's parent company (Ford) refuses to use on its SUVs because of cost issues. Volvo's pillar strength and design is also way above other makers.

My personal priority in vehicle purchase is SAFETY. But, I couldn't afford to buy a Volvo. That's why I settled for Subaru (less expensive) whose vehicles have excellent IIHS records (safety per dollar, I'd say).

dan42

Like everything about the new Sonata, however I notice that the front seats slant down with little under leg support. I guess its all personal preference but I am 6'2" and its like sitting in a 1st grade kids desk at teacher conference time. Does anyone think this issue will be resolved with the 07' model. Also when can we expect the 07' model to come out.

backy

I really notice the forward slant on the manual seat but find that the power seat is OK for me because the front and rear of the seat bottom can be adjusted independently. Have you tried the power seat? It's optional on the GLS, standard on the LX.

dan42

I will have to try the power seat, however would prefer not to spend the extra $1000 or so more to get it.

kwonc71

Can't believe this. Someone threw a egg at my LX last night. I was mad ,but would let it go. However, a car wash reveals paint chips all the way around where the egg hit. Police came out put data on his computer, and said "it will go away with one of those scratch remover". God It is not. I end up take whole paint off of 1/4" X 1" area! It's got to be some kind of chemical reaction with egg. The Egg actually ate up the paint. Someone's joke might cost me $500. It's kinda too big of area for a touch up. It's not good to have handsome fast car parked at driveway. :mad:

zen2

If you are concerned about interstate driving, definitely
get the V6. The mileage difference is not that great for
interstate driving, but the acceleration difference definitely is. I drove both several times, and the V6 is
quite a bit quicker, especially for entering the interstates, and high speed passing. And if you are 77,
why worry about economy? Get the LX. I wish I had, just
for the power seat. I got the GLS V6, and have traveled the Pa. Turnpike several times in the 4 months I've had it, and I am glad I got the V6. Good luck!

hdsit

I have talked about the suspension, both with the dealer, Hyundai Denmark technician and the independent technician at our car-owner organisation (FDM), and no one think that the suspension can be the problem. All says that the problem must come from something that is rotating and is in unbalance - either driving shafts, hubs and bearings (which have been replaced in both frontsides) or from the engine or A/T. I have not had something done with the engine-A/T yet. Also when the car was on a lift in front without wheels mounted, me sitting in the car, there was some shaking in the problem-range. I think that all is pointing in the direction, that it must come from something that is rotating. We havent yet investigated the rear. Have only been lifted (with wheels on) and rotated with a machine that was pulled against the tyre. Nothing was discovered here. But of course i will give it a try with the suspension if you think that could be the problem. I just think i need som good arguments to get it replaced.

stockmanjoe

Kwoc71:

Sorry to hear about that but do you have a garage? If you do why wasn't the car parked in it?

I swear 70% of the people on my street which is a middle-middle maybe upper middle class neighborhood keep their cars outside and fill the garage full of worthless crap. One guy has a nice Lexus and Infiniti that sit all the time in the drive way. I told my wife from the beginning the garage is for the cars!

stockmanjoe

I agree with mamamia2. I like my 4cyl. It has plenty of power and the AC blows ice cold. I would be honest and tell you if I didn't. I do not understand this infatuation with 6cyl. My wife has the same idea in here head she has to have a 6cyl.

johnjj

"Did I mentioned that my LX beat Audi A4 2.0T the other night? My LX also blew the door off of Mitsu Eclipse Spyder 3 days ago. That was a tight race, but driver of the spyder had to let me go at the end of a HWY ramp."

"Someone threw a egg at my LX last night."

kwonc71,
Maybe it's not always good to win the race?
John

backy

If you go the power seat route with the V6, it could actually be cheaper to go with the LX, if you don't need a sunroof and don't mind leather. Invoice less rebates on the LX is about $150 less on the LX vs. GLS V6 with the power seat.

johnjj

I've been reading this forum since 8/05. I've noticed many complaints about the passenger front seat comfort, or lack of, from 2006 Sonata owners. I was wondering if an Azera POWER front passenger seat could be installed in the Sonata. I plan to contact Hyundai about this, but was wondering if anyone here had an opinion about this possible fix?
John

w9cw

This is exactly the first thing I noticed when driving a GLS - it felt as if I was sitting downhill! I really couldn't find a comfortable seating position in the GLS with the manual driver's seat. The LX with the power seat eliminates this problem, but I wouldn't buy an LX since I don't like leather seating surfaces. Obviously, the option route is the only was to go with the current GLS.

I think this is an area where Hyundai really didn't do its marketing homework very well. The base Toyota Camry does not have a power driver's seat (at least with the current gen Camry), whereas the LE does. It's my opinion that the Sonata GL should come with the manual seat, but the GLS should have the power seat standard as with the LX. The GLS is in many respects closest to the Camry LE in marketing (except for Camry LE's rear drum brakes and steel wheels of course), and all of the other standard equipment differentials the Sonata offers.

It would really be interesting to take a survey of those who cross-shopped the Sonata GLS and Camry LE, and ended up buying the Camry due to the driver's seat. This is one perceptibly minor area that can really swing a purchase decision. At least in my sales area, I have found very, very few GLS's with the power seat option.

We ended up going downmarket a bit, and purchased a 2006 Elantra GLS which includes an infinitely manually adjustable driver's seat. If Hyundai changes the Sonata GLS in 2007, or if the dealers make it easier to acquire the option, we'll buy a Sonata then, but not until that time.

backy

I would not be surprised to see Hyundai add the power seat as standard to the GLS for '07, to be more competitive with the new Camry and with the Milan, which has a really comfortable power seat standard. It's really odd that the driver's seat on the low-bucks Accent is a lot better IMO than the seat on the Sonata GL and GLS. Another thing Hyundai could do is bring back the dual-knob height adjuster on the Sonata. I'd actually prefer that to the power seat, if it means keeping the price low. Also the dual-knob adjuster offers a greater range of motion than the Sonata's power seat.

bobad

I was wondering if an Azera POWER front passenger seat could be installed in the Sonata.

Good idea.

I've thought of adding Recaro's... if they make one to fit the Sonata.

johnjj

The Azera's beige and gray leather interior colors should be the same, or very close to, the Sonata's beige and gray leather interior colors. So, cosmetically it should look good. I understand the Azera's leather seats are larger, more supple, and more comfortable than the Sonata's leather. I might want to replace BOTH front seats in my Sonata LX. I know this would be costly, but keeping my co-pilot happy (the wife who constantly complains about her passenger seat) could be "priceless". Even if it cost $2000 to replace both seats, it may be worth it (I rationalize this thinking with I bought my Sonata LX with Pkg 3 for $5000 less than my cousin paid for his Azera. I'd still be $3000 ahead in savings over the Azera which doesn't have anything else I would want).
Now to find out if the switch is technically possible. I tried contacting Hyundai via the internet and their web site, but I apparently need a login password. I've requested one, but haven't gotten it yet. Has anyone else been successful in contacting Hyundai via their web site (home page>owners>service/maintainance or parts/accessories)?
John

blnewto

Hi Russell,
When we went on our latest car-shopping mission we had intended to get a 4 cylinder since gas keeps going up in price. We really were impressed w/ the 4 cyl Sonata, it was very smooth & responsive for a 4 cyl, and it will have adequate power for safe passing and decent power for hill climbing etc. We ended up w/ the 6 cyl because it's just a blast to drive and this motor is just silky smooth. We felt the 10% decrease in mileage was worth the extra "fun-factor" and overall smoothness. Also, keep in mind the 6 cyl has a 5speed auto compared w/ the 4 speed in the 4cyl. I also believe you get a larger rebate w/ the 6cyl, so price isn't too much more in the end. At any rate Russell, you'll get a great car w/ either engine choice.

blnewto

Changing those seats over may be quite problematic since they contain airbags. It may involve voiding a portion of your warranty and since the electronics involved are probably different that could also be tough to retrofit. Good luck and keep us posted if you give it a try.

johnjj

I wouldn't be doing it myself. I would hope a Hyundai dealership would do it with technical support from Hyundai Motor of America.
If Hyundai Motor of America doesn't know if this is doable, perhaps I can get them to research the feasability of this. They may be motavated by the large number of compaints of the Sonata's uncomfortable front passenger seat.
John

kwonc71

I already tried that. Tech told me will cost more to get new seat and modify stuff than just trade up for LX. That's Y I ended up with LX from GLS. GLS sport package with 17" wheel and power cloth seat was only $500 less than LX with leather power seat.

desertguy

You could have the entire seat rebuilt from the ground up using the existing frame and electrics to your specifications for less than $500. Go to a good auto upholsterer. I had it done to a Corolla drivers seat and it was wonderful. Cost me about $250. I don't think you could touch a new Azera seat for $1000. That is if you could even get one.

bimmer4me

with all that racing around you do...what goes around, comes around.

kwonc71

3 other neighbors cars got Egg Attack too. One of the car does not even run. Anything else I can help you with?

backy

I empathize with you. My house has been egged three times in the past couple of years. And I don't race anyone! But there are some young people in the neighborhood with far too much time on their hands. Fortunately, I am usually able to put my cars in the garage, although I just added a 3rd car for my oldest son so now that will be vulnerable to eggs. Be sure to keep the wax coat up!

FWIW, I found out that cold salt water is a great way to remove dried-on egg, at least off of the house.

ctalk

My car nearly got egged. I was driving back home one day, and noticed a group of people were throwing eggs at cars driving by! I quickly stopped and called the police. Some people really need to find better things to do :sick:

I noticed once the egg dries on the car, it makes it harder to take it off without damage. My friend's Corolla still has the damage from halloween night- the worst time to park your car outside.

lightfootfl

Re the web contacts... they are not very good at all.. If and when they get back to you, they don't say much. It is about one of the most useless web connections that I have ever dealt with. Granted I am no computer genius, but at least I am able to use most of the sites I go to. Just like this one. I have tried now for 2 weeks to get the Hyundai site to get back to me with why I can't fully sign into their site. I am only able to be recognised, but not with any information about all of the stuff I filled out originally. They can't tell me the type of car I now own, or who sold it to me, or how to correct this problem either. Oh well... I at least have a nice car. 2006 Sonata LX. and loving it, so far.

backy

I stopped by my local Hyundai dealer on my way to the store to see what's what. They had a couple of the new Accents and five Azeras. They had a few Elantras. They had tons of Sonatas--must have been at least three dozen there, and they are a relatively low-volume dealership. All but a handful were V6s, with most of those GLSes. I saw the new silver blue color for the first time, and it is definitely blue. I also saw the Aquamarine close-up for the first time and that is a very good-looking color on the car IMO. If the stock is anything like this at other dealers, I don't see the big rebates ending anytime soon.

blnewto

Since most of the complaints seem to be the forward tilt of the seat cusion, just wondering if it'd be hard to put spacer blocks and longer mounting bolts on the front track mounts to give the seat less downward tilt?

blnewto

I also saw the Aquamarine close-up for the first time and that is a very good-looking color on the car IMO.
We ended up w/ the Aquamarine GLS V6 and are very happy w/ the choice, it gets a lot of compliments and looks very different depending on the lighting. We ended up deciding between it & the dark midnight blue (another awesome color IMO).

lightfootfl

Really love my Silver Blue Sonata... it is pretty, and seems to change color with the light surrounding it. Of course, that is the way I see it.

jojoe

We also have the Silver Blue,which in Canada is called Crystal Silver.WE get many compliments on the colour and the car.We had the windows done in a deep tint and the car looks fabulous done that way.As far as the seat problem,we have none whats so ever.Seats are fine just the way they are.

bamacar

Hyundai seems to take a strange approach to selling vehicles. For years they pushed Excel/Accents until they made a nice Elantra. Then the lots were flooded with Elantras for years until the new Sonata came out. The Elantra became a much better value than the Accent. Now the Sonata appears about all they want to sell. The discounts now shrink on Elantras and Accents, and all the value emphasis turns to the Sonata. Honda and Toyota did not give up on Corollas and Civics when the Camry and Accord became more popular.

My Hyundai dealership is similar to yours. One Accent, one Azera, two Tiburons, ten SUVs, ten Elantras (zero hatches, zero with manual transmission), and about fifty Sonatas. The Kia dealership seems to keep a nice balance of vehicles instead.

johnjj

"I already tried that."

kwonc71, I'm talking about replacing my 2006 Sonata LX front seats (mainly the front passenger's) with the Azera's leather front seats. Did you try that?
John

johnjj

"Re the web contacts... they are not very good at all.."

Dam. I was afraid of that. I'll try calling them. I've called Hyundai Motor of America before, and haven't found them very helpful.
John

bhmr59

Sorry to hear of the egg attack. Eggs on car paint are at least as bad, probably worse, than bird crap.

Hopefully it will never happen again. But, to all, power hose off egg or bird crap ASAP. Better to hose it off than use a cloth to wipe it off.

fk322

I just bought a Sonata GLS with manual seat adjustment. I am 6'2" and find the seat very confortable. I did notice that if you push the seat forward towards the steering wheel, it seems to slope down so maybe this is an issue isolated to shorter people???

kwonc71

Believe me. They won't do it-Azera seat in Sonata will void warranty. Azera seat might not even fit in Sonata because Azera is wider car. Will be too much money to do so too-Azera seat alone will cost you $1,500+ modification+labor= Close to $3,000. That's Y I went to Acura of Portland to look at TLs. Could buy 2003 TL with 42,000 miles for $17,000. After a short drive on a TL, I decide to get LX instead. Other than more comfy seat, my old GLS Sonata drove better than TL. All the used TL on the lot had black interior that I don't like at all too.

kwonc71

I'm little over 6 feet, still had same problem which made me upgrade to LX. My major problem was back pain, and car keep getting faster if I rest my foot on the gas pedal.
In LX,I still have sensation of riding on the car not in the car, but I can live with it. Back pain ,and no place to put my foot at, I could not deal with.

94hawkskin

I have the single disc player. I burned all of my CD's on to MP3 Cds and they play fine while showing the song title on the display. However, when I press the text button it does not want to show the artist or album information. Did I do something wrong in the burning process?

Also, what are the direction buttons for? And can you make the text scroll when the song title is too long?

lxcan

Stockmanjoe wrote "I agree with mamamia2. I like my 4cyl. It has plenty of power and the AC blows ice cold.... I do not understand this infatuation with 6cyl. My wife has the same idea in here head she has to have a 6cyl."

Two words my friend, "Dual Exhausts" I saw a Sonata today at the gas station; exact colour as mine, but 4 cylinder. Those chrome tips on the dual exhausts make my car look so much more upscale. As for the "power vs. fuel economy" debate - I don't drive more than 15km to work one way, so it's not that big a deal to me.

This car is awesome. Just AWESOME!!

backy

Anyone who owns a '06 Sonata with a manual seat tried one of those wedge-shaped seat cushions? That may provide enough thigh support to make the seat more comfortable.

targettuning

No..no..noo! not an advertisement, not placed there by Hyundai because they (Hyundai) feel you should get those numbers but instead a U.S. Government mandated window sticker placed there so you can compare V-6 Honda Accord to V-6 Toyota Camry to V-6 Sonata to Pontiac V-6 G6, to......
Yes, E-85 ethanol will reduce fuel economy, another little fact omitted when it is pushed as an alternative fuel grown here in the USA. Corn.

kwonc71

I could not agree more. Dual chrome tips make Sonata GLS and LX looks double more expensive than GL.

twister1

Just bought a new 2006 Sonata GLS. I am very happy with the car . My question is should I use regular or premium gasoline?. What are the pros and cons? And will premium cause any problems if I do use it?

targettuning

Use regular... The pro's: it is recommended by the manufacturer, works fine and is cheaper.The con's: none really.
Premium...pro's: none really although some believe they feel some slight performance gain and some who truly believe they get better fuel economy. I believe neither. cons: although it probably won't cause harm there is no reason to use it in your car...much more expensive....$$$ out the tailpipes.

billward

After looking at the Fitzmall site, does anyone know why some of the LX option 3s are 20369? and some are 20070? Why the increase in some of the cars? I notice that there is a $100 difference in the MSRP listed, but I don't know of any changes that have been made or new options, since there are no options left if you get the LX Option 3.... and both cars listed the Sunroof and CD changer set. Any ideas why the difference? It's not the long awaited XM receivers, is it?

cumptrnrd

How come the interior pictures on Edmunds show wood grain on the steering wheel and another button down on the left side (near the dimmer and ESC)? I thought I had a fully loaded LX...

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2006/Hy- undai/100534616/20024608-E.jpg

And this other picture shows it with sidemarkers and without that yellow piece of plastic in the headlight. Is there any way to take that thing out? I think it looks a lot nicer without it.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2006/Hy- undai/100534616/20024616-E.jpg

skyler01

The artist and album information will display only if it is stored in the tags of the MP3 file. It is possible that the software you use to convert CD's to MP3 does not fill in this information. You can use MP3 Tag Studio (http://www.magnusbrading.com/mp3ts/) to view/edit the tags.

Do you mean the DIR buttons?. This is for scrolling though directories on the MP3 CD. If all your MP3's are in the root directory, these buttons will do nothing.

You can scroll the text by turning the knob on the right side on the radio (tuning knob, I think).

kwonc71

Must be Korean domestic sale one. In Korea they put smaller engines. 2.0L standard , and 2.4L option. Even Azera in Korea gets 3,3L not 3.8L. 3 times more gas price in Korea makes them use smaller engines. On the other hand, They put more options inside out to attract more customers.