My first Hyundai- 2006 V6 Sonata- my thoughts

I purchased a brand new 2006 Sonata with the 3.3L V6/ auto trans in
May.

I traded my 1997 Honda Accord (I4, 5pd manual) with 167,000 miles.

Just over 3,700 mostly highway (80%+) miles later, I wanted to check in
with my first Hyundai experience.

Overall, I have very satisfied.

Some comments/observations:

1) On the afternoon I took it home from the dealer, I was trying to
parallel park. As the steering wheel was turned fully right, I heard a
spring popping sound from the steering wheel. The dashboard airbag
light came on, and the horn stopped working (???). I took it back to
the dealer two days later. They said the clockspring had broken in the
steering column. They had to order the part. Three days later, I
received a postcard in the mail that the part came in. I called the
dealer, and had the part replaced in less than an hour. The first
(albeit way too soon) service experience was positive.

2) I think the stereo and the climate control dash regions should have
been reversed. Its uncomfortable to change the stereo settings (sits
way too high in the dashboard). Now I may be nitpicking, but the stereo
"next track"/"previous track" buttons and the "fwd"/"rev" buttons
should function horizontally, not vertically. Just not as intuitive to
use. Also, not having "change station up/down" button on the steering
wheel remote radio control makes the steering wheel mounted control
much less useful than it should be. Fader control emphasizes too much
power to the front speakers, and not enough to the rear. Native MP3
play capability is nice.

3) I havent noticed the sloshing sound from the gas tank others have
reported.

4) 12v accessory power outlet in the trunk? Good idea.

5) Havent had to use the heater yet; overall, the A/C has performed
well during 90 deg+ days.

6) Trip computer avg MPG, driving 55-65MPH interstate driving, is
around 30-31 MPG. City driving drops to computer-reported 23-24 MPG
avg.

7) I thought it was decorative at first- the narrow metal chrome trim
piece on the lip of the hood. It should provide extra protection from
stone chips on the hood lip and reduce chance of rust there- well
thought out.

8) Trunk is huge, and the split fold down rear seats make hauling
longer items a breeze.

9) I am concerned with how well the cloth interior will wear...I notice
fabric fraying on the edges of the sun visors already. Keeping an eye
out for any extraordinary signs of wear from normal use.

10) The rear wide windows roll down completely into the doors! Trivial,
but a feature appreciated by rear passengers.

11) The "lag" when the accelerator is pressed -the same thing
mentioneed previously here- is definitely present. But it's just
something that I've gotten used to- especially since there doesnt seem
to be much options here.

12) I havent had any problems with the headlights being aimed too high.
In fact, I never gave it a thought until I saw several postings about
it here.

13) Plenty of headroom and leg room (I'm 6'2"), although the front
seats do feel a little short.

14) I agree that the cubby holes and storage nooks dont seem to be
sized well. Yes, the console cup holders should be called the "console
cup-tippers". A previous poster was spot-on with the Yahoo drink bottle
fit reference...they're right!

15) I do have a question though: how do you clean the dashboard? It has
kind of a tacky feel that seems to really attract and hold dust/road
grit. It is a matte finish...I certainly wouldn't try Armor All or any
cleaner/conditioner like that. What do you clean/protect your
dashboard/ interior plastic trim with???

Just wanted to share my experience, since I've learned so much from the
posters in this group.

Overall, I'd buy this car again without hesitation. Its good value, and
my insurance DROPPED almost $140 annually vs. my 9 year old Honda
Accord.

Cheers.
Mark Space

 

I use a damp cloth like a dish rag or similar. DON'T use a paper towel!
In my other vehicles, after I clean the windshield with Windex or
similar, I use the paper towel to wipe the over spray from the dash. In
the Sonata, the dash will pull paper fibers from the towel making the
dash a mess. I've also noticed that the plastic under the chrome trim
bar (glovebox door and area around it) are very soft and easily
scratched. Mine has several scratches already from watches, rings,
pocket book buckles, etc. These materials are very cheap compared to
other cars I own and have owned. I hope Hyundai improves them in later
models.


Matt

 

I use Meguiars Quick Detailer detailer on the vinyl only. It maintains
the matte OEM look. (afraid to use it on painted or other plastic
interior parts)
-

Bob

 

How come you didn't notice all this shit before you bought the vehicle?

Tom

 

How does that compare with actual measurements?

 

What a stupid comment. Much of what he listed can't be noticed without
driving for a while. Things such as MPG in varying conditions. Things
such as what will or won't fit in the cubby holes. It wasn't until I
got my Sonata home and tried to fit standard size things in the cubbies
that I found that they were just a little too small for almost all of
the standard things I use. The dash compartment isn't deep enough for a
CD without leaving the door open. The console compartment isn't big
enough for a standard size square box of tissues. The cup holder won't
hold most cups. I generally don't take a cup of coffee on a test drive,
but probably should in the future. The sloshing gas tank only occurs
when the tank is nearly full. All of the Sonatas I test drove (3
different ones) has less than 1/4 tank.


MAtt

 

Thanks Matt. Wiped it down this weekend, and it looks fine. On the
cheap to boot

 

Generally falls within 10-15% of actual miles vs. actual gas used.
Highway is MUCH more accurate than the mixed city driving (which makes
sense).

 

Mark Space:

I purchased my Sonata LX in February and I agree on all accounts from
your first posting. My Sonata does lag slightly in the acceleration,
however it is only noticable when the vehicle is cold, and especially
noticed from first to second gear; otherwise the response is pretty
good.

I chose the beige interior - kind of a mistake, like buying a white car
- shows dirt easily and quickly. I notice the sloshing in the gas tank
only after filling and after about 25-50 miles, afterwords, it's quite
quiet.

Yes the CD player should have been a little further down on the dash,
but compare it to other car manufacturers, like the Nissan
Altima/Maxima. The higher end models have the NAV system waaaay up on
the dash.

Little quirks nonetheless, however, I traded in a Saturn L300 with 50K
miles that was starting to have transmission problems, and I don't
regret trading either.

-Matt Y

 

) On the afternoon I took it home from the dealer, I was trying to
parallel park. As the steering wheel was turned fully right, I heard a
spring popping sound from the steering wheel. The dashboard airbag
light came on, and the horn stopped working (???). I took it back to
the dealer two days later. They said the clockspring had broken in the
steering column. They had to order the part. Three days later, I
received a postcard in the mail that the part came in. I called the
dealer, and had the part replaced in less than an hour. The first
(albeit way too soon) service experience was positive.


Interesting, I had the EXACT same part go bad a month after I owned the
car. Wonder if there is a defect?

 

Your insurance went down? The Hartford (AARP) raised my insuyrance by $520
a year and I've never had a ticket or a claim????

 

What Insurance Co, Pls??

 

I'm with Hartford; not AARP plan but another one. My insurance jumped
from 46/mo to nearly 200. No claims ever.

Then they hit me with a knock because they showed a huge jump in
outstanding credit -yeah, the stupid car I just financed which showed
100% credit line utilization 'cause I hadn't made the first payment.
Did they expect the credit union to give me a loan for more than the
final price of the car, just to have extra unused credit line???

Policy renewal is in a month. I'm planning on shopping around.

 

Join the club. The insurance industry does not like Hyundai - this is
according to my former Allstate insurance agent. The rate basically doubled
when I bought my Sonata. I shopped around, and got quotes from $500 to $1000
for six months. My T&C runs around $315 for six months - $100k/$300, etc.
It's not just because it's a new car. A couple years earlier, my rate went
down when I replaced my 2001 Caravan with a 2004 T&C. Same vehicle, just
new. I wound up switching to Geico, because they don't seem to rate the
Hyundai the same as the others I tried.

 

My 05 XG350L $332 for six months with AIG 100k/300k, full comprehensive
$1000 deductable on collision

 

I have a 92 Ford conversion van, a 2003 Elantra, a 1993 24 ft travel
trailer and the 06 V-6 Sonata. rates were better than Geico before I
bought the Sonata. I replaced a 99 Merc Grand Marquis with the Sonata

 

Liberty Mutual. No tix or accidents in >5 yrs., said my agent.

 

Update:

I just got a Sirius satellite radio for it last week.

The supplied auto mounting kit, with the suction cup, seemed awkward
when mounted on the windshield.

On a whim, I tried mounting it to the small, hinged door below the AC
controls, on the right side.(Just using the factory Sirius suction cup
mount)

It looks MUCH better (and slightly less attractive to thieves) than the
windshield mount. It block the right vent control knob somewhat, but a
minor reach around given that I just usually set the control to the
panel vent setting.

I thought it may pop off, but it's been secure for 6 days now.

Also, I heard about the Sirius antennae failing when mounted outside. I
just mounted it inside, above the third brake light, from the inside,
and secured it with a small blob of funtak. Then ran the antenna wire
along the seat edges, etc. then up alongside the center console to the
unit.

There's no decrease in sensativity mounting the antenna on the inside
that I can notice. Under bridges, trees, sure...you cut out. But open
road, its great.

 

I had 42 miles on the odometer. The dealer initially told me it may
take a couple of weeks. But since I had no horn, I raised the issue
that this is a SAFETY issue, not a convenience issue. The time suddenly
was reduced to a couple of days.

And, seriously, the very next day after I had it back for the diagnosis
I nearly got backed into at the Post Office. Naturally, I reached for
the horn when I noticed this fellow in a minivan backing up straight
towards me...nothing. I guess all those years watching Starsky and
Hutch paid off when I quickly shifted to reverse and backed up out of
the way. What a incredibly sinking feeling though for those couple of
moments....

 

Mounted my XM antenna much the same way, except next to the light
housing rather than on top.

Wasn't expecting much with it mounted inside the glass but performance
has been excellent.