2006-2008 Hyundai Sonata: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Hyundai's midsize sedan was redesigned for 2006 with fresh looks, more power, and standard curtain side airbags. Sonata's redesign added 1.2 inches to wheelbase, 2.2 inches to overall length, and about 2 inches to height. Passenger space grew in every dimension, with the biggest gain being 1.2 inches of additional rear-seat leg room. Trunk space grew by 2.2 cubic feet, to 16.3. Sonata continued with a base four-cylinder GL model, uplevel GLS in four-cylinder or V6 form, and top-line LX V6. Both engines were new. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder made 162 horsepower, versus 138 for the previous 2.4-liter. The V6 grew from 2.7 liters with 170 horsepower to a 3.3-liter with 235 horsepower. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic for the four-cylinder; a five-speed automatic was standard with the V6. Traction and stability control, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags were standard on all Sonatas. The GL sedan rode on 16-inch steel wheels, the GLS on 16-inch alloys, and the LX on 17-inch alloys that were optional on the GLS V6. The LX also included heated leather seats, a power driver's seat, and automatic climate control. Like all Hyundai models, the Sonata came with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Competitors to the front-wheel-drive Sonata included the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry.