For 2006, Hyundai introduces a Sonata with two much more powerful engines, both of which, in most cases, either match or beat the competition.

The 2006 Hyundai Sonata’s big player is a 3.3-liter V6 that offers plenty of punch for all driving situations, and Hyundai claims that the engine will return as much as 30 mpg on the highway. Planting the throttle results in an impressively quick take off, with very little noticeable engine noise, even at redline. This is a refined and capable powerplant. There’s also plenty of power for multi-car passing on two-lane roads, and high-speed passes on the highway, though the Sonata never feels exactly fast. The transmission does a good job of managing the power, but stays clear of the rev limiter by shifting a little too early at times. And during one merge onto a highway from about 40 mph, a full plant of the throttle resulted in a delay of a second or two before the transmission downshifted and the Sonata delivered necessary power.

A short spin in the four-cylinder Sonata GLS revealed that 162 horses is more than enough to provide peppy acceleration around hilly San Francisco. The high-revving four-banger never felt underpowered, though it was less refined at redline. Adding a full load of passengers and cargo will likely make the reasonably priced V6 model look like a more attractive buy.

The four-wheel-disc brake setup worked like a charm, providing excellent pedal feel and modulation, and we didn’t notice any fade or deterioration in braking performance after several long, downhill runs. With the 17-inch tires on the LX, this Sonata takes the corners without hesitation. There is little body roll, and if there was any tire squeal, the NVH engineers made sure we didn’t hear it. The Sonata LX is a surprisingly good handler, and can be fun to drive, though the stability control can rain on the corner carving parade. The Sonata GLS we drove had the smaller, less aggressive Michelin Energy MXV4 215/60R16 tires, and provided a pillowy, yet controlled ride. In comparison, the 17-inchers seem to give the Sonata a sportier, Accord-like demeanor.