As I noted when I drove a four-cylinder 2009 Sonata, this newest face-lift has yielded a surprisingly impressive sedan. Compared with that model, the V-6 offers plenty more power (249 hp vs. 175 hp) and pep. Still, the lighter, less expensive, more fuel-efficient four-banger seems like the better overall package to me. Like Sam implied, enthusiasts probably aren't going to buy many Sonatas anyway, so that extra power isn't as critical as it'd be in a hotter car. It's hard for me to tell conclusively, however, since I left work very late last night and got stuck in a traffic jam this morning. That said, the air-conditioning and the stereo are quite good, although FM radio reception was weaker than that in most new cars I've driven. I found the seats a bit too firm for my liking, but unlike Phil, I actually like the Sonata's styling, particularly its side profile.
Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor ...next page >>