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2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 1
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September 6, 2005
2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 Long-Term Test Update No. 1
by
West Coast Office
, Canadian Auto Press
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A New Midsize Benchmark?
When the all-new 2006 Sonata first appeared in sneak preview photographs I wasn't sure what to think. Sure its lines were attractive in an  | | My attitude changed towards the new Sonata after spending time with the car during its media launch in San Francisco last May. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) | understated way, but I had liked the dare-to-be-different attitude of the previous two models and maybe wasn't ready for Hyundai's midsize model to go mainstream.
But all this changed when I spent time with the car during its media launch in San Francisco last May. After a full day's drive and a couple of evening jaunts around town, I saw the Sonata in a new light. Its conservative lines quickly grew on me, and after some contemplation my belief now is that the new car will enjoy greater staying power than the outgoing model.
One thing's for sure, it's a fine lot better looking the most of its Japanese competition, at least those at the forefront  | | Now that Hyundai has delivered a well optioned Sonata GLS V6 to our west coast office for a long-term test, we'll be able to see first hand if it holds up to the daily duties our staffers will put it through. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) | of the sales charts. And as I stated in the review it also performs equal to, and in some ways better than those top-selling imports. And I'm not just talking about driving dynamics, but real life performance like getting stuff in and out of the trunk, accommodating rear seat passengers, working the audio and HVAC systems, and delivering reliable transportation day in and day out.
So now that Hyundai has delivered a well optioned Sonata GLS V6 to our west coast office for a long-term test, we'll be able to see first hand if it holds up to the daily duties our staffers will put it through. It should, of course, as the previous generation car was recently awarded most reliable car overall by Consumer Reports magazine, but the new Sonata is an altogether different animal. It features new chassis architecture, a new drivetrain, new electronics - yes, pretty well new everything. |
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