Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
http://worldwide.hyundai-motor.com/
There was an ad for a new base '05 Sonata in today's paper for $10,750--a lot of car for the money, and about the same price as other dealers in my area are advertising on Elantras with no options.
http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/cyber/CyberCarView.php?number=38109&maker_no=49&model_no=729&l- evel_no=&stat=&gubun=KoreaCar&features=&cat=&x=20&y=16
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Found out from Hyundai that '06 Sonata would not be at the Fort Laud Auto show. Bummer. So will have to wait until it's locally available down here.
The 2006 Sonata is going to blow away its competition when it is introduced. The refinement of it's interior and outstanding exterior styling equals to my BMW,along with all the standard equipment that says it all. Those of you who have not had the pleasure of driving, sitting and feeling this Sonata are really missing out. My prediction is the 06 Sonata is going to be The new Car of the Year.
I went to the Hyundai USA site and notice that side torso and curtain airbags, ABS, traction control, and ESC will be standard on all trim levels. Impressive. Now, if it is entertaining to drive, they will have a contender!
Keep in mind the car that they brought to the show was a pre-production model. The representative from Hyundai also confirmed this. One could also tell because the odometer was in Kilometers and there were some interior pieces that were not complete from a final production stand-point. This was for all intentional purposes merely a representation of what the upcoming vehicle would resemble.
With the above disclaimer disposed these are my initial first impressions and overall feelings about the '06 Sonata.
1. Looks better in person than in pictures.
2. Rear end has only mild resemblance to Accord's. It would seem to me that any controversy between the Accord's rear design and the '06 Sonata should be easily dispelled after comparing the two.
3. Car lines are very symmetric and design flows go well together overall. Designed to appealed to target market.
4. Exterior Fit and finish are very good with details such as fully carpeted trunk lid with hydraulic lifts , also hydraulic lifts for the hood as well. Gaps between doors, hood and trunk are very tight and comparable to both rivals Accord and Camry.
5. Interior features such as 60/40 split folded rear seats , automatic dimming interior lights, over head illuminated vanity visor lights, dashboard materials and seating surfaces appear to be of good quality. Gaps are tight. I was impressed that even in this pre-production car at how well the interior fit and finish pieces were well assembled to very tight tolerances.
6. Front seating is comfortable and rear seats are very supportive with adequate thigh support.
Since I had the opportunity to view both '05 and '06 side by side, one could see the stark contrast between where Hyundai has been compared to where they are heading now with the new '06 Sonata. In a word, Impressive. The Hyundai representative who came with the car stated that Hyundai expects to start retailing the new Sonata in June or July.
I believe Hyundai has a winner here. Too soon to say whether it will be a runaway but it's easy to see that this vehicle is a definite milestone in the auto manufacturer's history, especially here in the U.S.
I am quite eager to see the Alabama final production model and test drive one as well.
I have been searching and questioning forums like crazy about this new car and no one can answer my question. I was hoping some of you knew something that no one else has. Do you know if we will be able to get a Sonata LX with the black leather interior with red trim? In korea the car is called the SONATA F24S (24 for 2.4L and "S" for special edition). I love the black interior and red trim and have been wondering if that would be available. I would buy the first one off the lot if available. I also think we will all be pleasantly surprised at the leaps and bounds Hyundai has made with this one. THANKS!
In the press material, and from what I've seen online of the American versions, I have only seen gray and tan leather interiors. Our version is not the exact same car as the overseas one. For instance, the Korean model has chrome on the bumpers front and rear, as well as navigation, and a reverse-sensing system. Ours has none of this.
My bet would be that if they are to come out with black leather and red trim like the Korean one, it will be with the introduction of the AGCS (Active Geometry Control Suspension) which will be later on. Perhaps we will be seeing a Sonata GT...
Two days later, he called me back about Tucsons. I told him that I wasn't really interested, and that I'd probably wait for the new Elantra in the fall. He remembered my questions about the new Sonata, and informed me that he had spoken with the regional distributor (or something official like that), and said that I can expect to see Sonatas at our dealership in April. He said he'd call me when they come in. Judging by how persistent this guy was, I know he wouldn't just let me get by him. This really makes me think that they will definitely be out by the end of April at the very latest. I know that they already have begun production of the Sonatas a long while ago, so it's soon, trust me.
If Hyundai plans an earlier launch than June then good for them but I would imagine if they were feeling salty about releasing it sooner than that they would be making more noises already.
Look at it: The new Sonatas are already being stockpiled in Alabama.
The www.hyundaisonata.com website says that the cars will come out in "Spring 2005". Considering June a spring month is a bit of a stretch, it's more like early summer. Especially in the automotive industry.
Also consider the fact that there are no old Sonatas being made. The EF Sonatas were all made in Korea, and they have not been made since early summer of last year.
Then think about the fact that they added the "Special Value Model" GLS with heavy discounts, in an effort to get rid of the remaining Sonatas.
I can think May at the very very excrutiatinly latest date. June is much too far off. Mid-to-late April is my bet.
The Active Geometry Control Suspension:
This is what I know of it, but I can't remember the sources.
There is some good information in this, although not about AGCS:
Unfortunately, although it is not a forum, I cannot post a link to a site with FORUM in the name. If you'd like to see the information, go to google.com and search for "building a camry fighter" or "2006 Sonata" and find an article from Caranddriver.com.hk (Hong Kong)
AGCS is a system that control the angles at which the wheels hit the road. Basically, imagine a view of the car from behind. The wheels are not exactly straight up and down angle-wise in relation to the pavement. If you were to look at a 1996-2000 Honda Civic, you'd see that they have really bad angle aperture (I think that is the right word) for which the wheels hit the road. Essentially, they look like they have so much weight in them that the suspension is being bent and the wheels aren't hitting the road right. Definitely not perpendicular.
The Hyundai AGCS system controls the angles at which the wheels will "hit" the road. Hyundai says that this will provide optimal handling in all driving conditions.
Think of it like this:
You're driving down a straightaway. So that the car will feel more stable to the driver, the suspension flexes so that they are at an angle similar to this: Imagine this is a diagram of the car, which the parenthesis being the outside of the car, and the slashes being the wheels:
( / \ )
If you were to take a corner really fast, so as to provide the best handling around the bend, or in an emergency maneuver, it may do something like this if you were turning right:
( / / )
If you were moving really slow and trying to park in a tight space, the car may try to provide the most neutral steering possible:
( | | )
And remember, this system is continually adjusting. There are probably millions of different approach angles and what not.
My guesses at starting prices (no basis in reality):
GL 17,500
GLS 19,000
LX 20,500
GL - 18,500
GLS - 19,200
LX - 23,500
Who knows the pricing maybe somewhere between our two guesses?
TWM Performance makes a short-throw shifter kit that will tighten up the stick a lot.
"Bravo to Hyundai for making stability control"
First link
Great pictures of US model
The new Sonata rides on double A-arms in front and a multi-link setup in the rear, and Hyundai’s active geometry control system will be available later in 2005. It regulates toe-in, or the angle at which the wheels are turned inward, at the rear wheels using electric actuators that vary the geometry of the control arms. At low speeds and in a straight line, toe-in is reduced; at high speeds, it’s increased. The result, Hyundai claims, is optimal geometry in all conditions and therefore improved roadholding, especially in high-speed cornering.
http://www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/FirstDrive_Summary.asp?RT_ID=213966
Also note a diesel version will be coming to the U.K.--wonder if it will ever show up here?
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/03/24/200503240035.asp
*I just had to have mine replaced, both sides, at a cost of $400.00+. 13,650 miles on a lightly driven car after 2 years, 3 months' ownership. These pieces are considered "expendables", so no warranty coverage. The service manager told me they see a lot of these, and Hyundai doesn't seem to care. (If you have a 1998 or newer Sonata and notice "popping" sounds from the rear over bumps or through corners, you're already in trouble.)