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Sedans Hyundai Sonata Hyundai Sonata Test Drive Experiences
29 messages, Last post on Jul 02, 2008 at 3:23 PM
You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
| Considering a Sonata? Have you taken one for a test drive? Tell us about it. | |
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Over the past year, I've test driven the 2006 Sonata six times. Once in the GLS I4 and the other five times in the LX V6. Handling: My experience was that the handling was good for me. On the back twisty roads it responded well and held the road. Much better than my current midsize Malibu. Better than the Camry's I've driven but not as well (or as tight) as the Accord's I've driven. I'd call it a good mix between holding the road and giving a touring type ride. Engine noise level: I had an experience at one dealership in which the salesman brought the car up front and parked it where I was waiting. He showed me thru the car and explained features. The whole time the V6 engine was running and stupid me didn't realize it was. It was very quiet. Cabin noise level: Seemed rather quiet. I didn't notice any of the thumping or road noise or gas sloshing that other's have talked about. Transmission: I like the Shiftronic... the ability to manually shift it myself if I so choose. I did notice a 'downshifting' when I was drifting down a hill. I wanted it to just roll, and the transmission I guess decided that it wanted to downshift to hold down the speed as I was going downhill. ??? Heated seats: I took one test drive during the winter. Those heated leather seats felt really good! That would probably be good for the arthritis in my back. I4 or V6: Even though the I4 had plenty of power, I did get it to really whine at one point, and my son riding with me felt that was wierd, but I will have to say that the Sonata I4 had more get-up-n-go than the V6 in my 2000 Malibu. The V6 in the Sonata was quiet, smooth and great exceleration for me. Interior: I didn't have a big problem with the "Buick-like" center stack and dashboard, but I will admit that I like the 'look' of the center stack on some of the competitors better. A plus on the center stack, for me, was that my right leg rested really well against the center console, much better than some of the competitors. Some competitors, even though I like the look of the console, and stack, tend to force my right leg more to the left than is comfortable for me. The Sonata gave me a better 'resting place' for my right foot and leg. I took my wife with me on one of the test drives. She just LOVED the interior space in both the front and rear seats. Overall she loved the car... said it puts my Malibu to shame. As some others have complained about the length (front-to-back) of the seats, I will have to say that Hyundai could have lengthened the seat cushion another inch or two for us long leggers to give better support of the thigh. I'm 6'1" with a long torso. The headroom in the Sonata was wonderful for me, even with the sunroof. Would have liked to have seen power seat controls for the front passenger seat like on the driver seat. Controls on the steering wheel: This has been a topic of debate for a long time on these boards. I will have to say to Hyundai, that if you are going to put audio controls on the steering wheel, please add a button to change channels/tracks. Exterior styling: Acceptable. Mainstream conservative. Not radical. I could live with it. I am definitely considering the Sonata. My purchase is 6 to 12 months out, and I'm hoping that Hyundai will add XM radio later in the model year. |
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Replying to: pat (Jul 20, 2006 10:15 am)  This has the effect ( for the front passengers ) of muffling the range of sound from those rear speakers. Compare this to the Camry and Accord where the rear speakers are better placed and better 'envelope' you with your music. I have seen various comments about shimmying etc. The first test model I drove vibrated badly above 60mph. The 2nd one did not.
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And loving it!. Really though, we pulled in a mall, and I had my own personal drag strip. Punched the Car, and the rear tire just spinned, not impressive for anyone. Of course I knew the Sonata V6 had all the power I needed, if applied correctly!
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Replying to: mark156 (Aug 28, 2006 6:50 am)
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First I need to say that mark156 did not post that, I did. When I logged in, it seems I was already logged on, but as someone else. Pat, if you can look into that? After almost loosing control with my first Front Wheel Drive Car, a Turbo Dodge Colt 20 years ago, you never forget it. The Sonata however is a heavy full sized Car, and spins the rear tire, go figure?.
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Replying to: somanycars (Aug 28, 2006 6:35 am) |
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Replying to: jlindh (Aug 28, 2006 6:59 am)
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Replying to: drjames (Sep 09, 2006 7:41 pm)  The Sonata is a great new Car, spinning rear Wheel and all. Why couldn't they make it AWD though 
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Replying to: pat (Jul 20, 2006 10:15 am)
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