Great Car at a Great Price

Author's Rating:

Pros: Roomy interior, standard stability control, great reliabilty.

Cons: Not so great gas mileage, touchy gas pedal.

The Bottom Line: 
If you're looking for a safe family car, look no further.

Author's Review
After test driving several comparable mid sized sedans, I chose the 2006 Hyundai Sonata. My previous car was a 2002 Hyundai Elantra, and I was looking for something with more room and an automatic.
I considered it's main rival, the Toyota Camry, which was nice, but didn't have the features the Sonata did. The Sonata's warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles is impressive and suggests that Hyundai is getting very serious about quality and reliability (I've owned my Sonata now for a year and a half and it's been in the shop only because someone backed into it). The other deciding factor was the standard stability and traction control. The Camry didn't even offer stability control. I chose the GLS V6 model with the 17" tire package, sunroof and homelink rearview mirror. The V6 offers plenty of power, but it's almost too much at stop signs and stop lights if you step a little too hard on the gas pedal. Braking is impressive, and the handling suggests that you're driving a family sedan (which you are), not a sports sedan. It's a little mushy, but responsive just the same. The back windows go down all the way, something back seat occupants will enjoy.
My only complaints for this car are some rattles and squeaks that have developed over the past 30,000 miles and the less than great gas mileage. I drive 40 miles on the highway each day to work, plus errands on surface roads on the weekends. I'm averaging 21 mpg. Not great, but not horrible either considering the V6 engine.