2006 Sonata traction control vs 4WD?
 

Anyone have experience yet with how the traction control in the 2006
Sonata actually performs in the snow? We are considering the purchase
of a new Hyundai vehicle, and are actually looking to replace an older
4-wheel-drive car (AMC Eagle) that was recently totalled in an
accident. We're in the Northeast and have a fairly long, uphill
driveway that the Eagle was able to navigate with ease even after a
fairly heavy snowstorm.

The Tuscson looks attractive, but I'm concerned over reports about very
poor gas mileage -- on the order of 15 to 20 mpg. (This is about the
same as the ancient AMC with its emissions-strangled, carbureted 4.2
liter six and 3-speed automatic!) With the rising price of gas this is
obviously a concern. Hyundai is still using their older series engines
and transmissions in both the Tuscon and Santa Fe, but the design is
not *that* old -- I would have expected some improvement in efficiency
over an AMC drivetrain that dates to the 1960s!

>From what i've been reading, the new Sonata, with its new engine
designs, gets decent mileage (mid to high 20s) even with the V6. I've
also heard people say that with traction control you "don't need
4-wheel drive," but how true is this? Would a Sonata with traction
control be able to scoot up a snow-covered driveway?