Hyundai is getting serious.  With an all new redesign of its mid-sized Sonata sedan this year, the Korean automaker provides an attractive and affordable alternative to some of its Japanese competitors.  It's also committed itself fully to the U.S. market by making the Sonata the first Hyundai to be produced in the U.S., in a new plant in Alabama.  The new 2006 Sonata is actually classified as a larger car due to the extra inches its put on in height, width, and length, featuring a roomy 37 inches in rear legroom and a large 16-inch trunk.  

The exterior is updated with a new grille, lamps, smoother contours, and sporty dual exhaust pipes.  It's also serious about power, with new four and six-cylinder engines. Trims remain the same -- base GL, GLS, and luxury LX.  Both the GL and GLS come with a 2.4-liter, 162-hp I4 and 4-speed shiftable automatic (the GL comes with a 5-speed manual or optional automatic), while the GLS can be outfitted with a new 3.3-liter, 235-hp V6 and new 5-speed shiftable automatic.  This engine is standard on the LX.  Other additions include side curtain airbags, bringing the total to six, and all levels now come standard with ABS brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control, upping the crash ratings to five stars for the 2006 Sonata.  

The base model gets more standard features, such as an MP3 compatible CD player, while the GLS adds wood trim, automatic headlights, and wheel-mounted audio controls.  The LX beefs up the package with larger 17-inch wheels, heated seats, and a sunroof.  The 2006 Sonata offers more room than the Accord and Camry, and its reclassification as a large car means it's also offered at a lower price than others in its class.  This, combined with the long-term warranty, makes it a popular choice for families or budget-minded commuters.  Owners praise the interior space, the large trunk, and stylistic changes.  They say the new V6 is a powerful accelerator with a quiet ride and sure-footed performance.  Complaints center on seat comfort, a sometimes bumpy ride, and a gearbox that noticeably searches the next gear.