There will always be a few that disagree, but I think the majority of us are more than happy with the direction that Sonar has taken.
It's an excellent DAW with (pretty much) all of the features one could want or hope for.  And with updates and new features coming at us on a monthly basis, I can't help but wonder....
 
What are 3 key features (realistic and attainable) that you would like to see implemented into Sonar that would make you feel as if it were the best DAW on the planet? 

Interesting question.  
 
1 Varispeed 
2 More and better notation (staff View)
3 An internal audio editor.  

Properly working AudioSnap with phase coherent time stretching.
Better (minimal) video management (start time, import formats and basic renders).
An integrated sample editor with comprehensive noise reduction options (e.g. IzoTope's RX series).

A proper mastering suite (light version of course) with noise reduction tools (like RX which Sander mentioned) and onboard Redbook tagging and export options inside the Track View.
 
Essentially I do not want to leave Sonar to do Wavelab type stuff and I think they should strike up a third party deal with Izotope to put together a "light" package of their mastering goodies with upgrade paths like the ones we have with other companies like Celemony and Overloud. It would be good for both companies companies (Cake and Izotope).
 
So that's two things (Redbook, mastering FX suite) but rather large things so I'd be happy with that.
 
If I were going to be greedy/forced to choose a third major improvement then yeah... I'll go with integrated transcription capabilites. Again better left to a third party like Sibelus or the people who make Guitar Pro. I just realized (for some dum dum reason) we don't have a Tab view and the limitations of Staff View are thoroughly documented. If one of the major hitters in that field were brought on board to integrate their programs directly into Sonar, again with an upgrade path to those companies full suites) it would be a benefit to all involved.
 
With stuff like that onboard and the current rapid progression of Sonar (and if they stay on top of the stability issues which they have) then Cake/Gibson could crush the competition even in the "industry standard" department.
 
The goal should be to at least be installed on at least one computer in every digital studio out there. Those features should do it.

Oops... thought of a fourth. Steal the keybinding/MIDI mapping feature that Reaper uses. That is the most ridiculously thorough and easy to use controller mapping thingie I've seen. Sonar's is like a bad joke after playing with that for five minutes.
 
No offense but it's true.

1) Brand new drum map UI (scrap the old one, condemn it to history and we shall promise never to talk about it again).
2) Fix and improve take lanes.
3) Make audiosnap better (take some lessons from drum replacer). Make the UI less complicated, maybe even change it completely.

.... and most importantly don't stop the bug fixes coming...
I don't want anything new, I want to see existing functionality brought up to date and working. We need a great and better user experience all round.

Varispeed.
 
Audiosnap III
 
ACT II
 
 

Added features to Matrix!
 

I have only one feature request of Sonar that
Would make it Perfect for me, as I love the GUI, the
freedom of workflow, and the goodies
(although Beep's #4 would be awesome)...
 
IT ties with/into some of the previous posts;
 
Make Sonar dummy-proof, and make it run like a tank.
 
(E.G. instead of stack error at address blah, blah, blah,
popup-"{you/I} screwed up the midi routing!" "Reverting to last saved instance.")
This would make Sonar invaluable to users who don't code,
almost like a tutor.
 
He He.
 
Native stuff should run seamlessly.
In my humble opinion, the best thing you can
say about a DAW is "It just RUNS."
 
Mel

1. Batch export by region (this would be the icing on the CAKE!)
2. Creating a better implemented auto ripple edit mode, the DELETE HOLE isn't quite there
3. Drum Replacer being able to have random muliple samples and dynamic groups like Drumagog
 
SONAR would simply rule the world...