Hyundai, largest car company in South Korea, invests in North America with its new Alabama assembly plant, a technology and engineering center in Michigan, research and design studios in California plus a test track in the Mojave Desert. As a result, many of the vehicles in Hyundai's extensive lineup for 2006 skew directly toward the American market -- such as Sonata, a mid-size sedan with V6 power that comes together at the Alabama plant. Azera pops up as Hyundai's elegant new flagship sedan for the USA, and Accent, the smallest car in Hyundai's fleet, rolls out in a new design with segment-leading standard safety systems aboard.

The value-packed mid-size sedan from Hyundai is new for 2006 with keen sheetmetal shapes, a generous passenger compartment containing premium features and a long list of safety equipment. The safety items include electronic stability control (ESC) with a traction control system (TCS) and six air bags in the cabin including curtain-style air bags in the roof.

Sonata for 2006 shows up in three trims, beginning with the base Sonata GL and climbing to GLS and deluxe LX models, the latter rolling on 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot tires. Two Sonata powertrains line up as either a 2.4-liter aluminum four-pack with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) for 162 hp or Hyundai's new Lambda V6, a 3.3-liter CVVT V6 worth 235 hp. On the 2.4 plant a five-speed manual is standard with a four-speed Shiftronic automatic optional, while the V6 ties to a new five-speed automatic exclusively.

Hyundai's car for the economy class is new from tires to top in the format of a subcompact four-door sedan laced with segment-leading standard safety features. The gear includes an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), four-wheel disc brakes, and dual frontal plus seat-mounted air bags for front riders and curtain-style air bags tucked in the ceiling for all four outboard seats.

Accent for 2006 grows up - it measures several inches longer than the previous version and three inches taller, adding inches of legroom and headroom to the cabin. The single trim - a well-equipped GLS - comes with a 172-watt AM/FM/CD audio system, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback and tilting steering wheel. Power stems from Hyundai's new 1.6-liter four-in-line engine scored to 110 hp with a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic.

Hyundai's low-slung sports coupe is marked by its muscular fender bulges flanking an extended hoodline and a hatchback roofline which tapers to a stubby tail. For 2006, Tiburon scores a new GT Limited edition in leather with a power glass sunroof aboard and Infinity audio kit boasting a six-disc CD changer. Tiburon GT and the new Tiburon GT Limited carry a dual-cam V6 sized at 2.7 liters and racked to 172 hp with a five-speed manual shifter or optional four-speed Shiftronic automatic.

Ultimate performance issue is the Tiburon SE, which comes with a sporty six-speed manual stick, red front brake calipers, a tall spoiler on the tail and the cockpit fixed with aluminum pedals, extra gauges in the instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and Kenwood audio system with CD/MP3 player. Price-leader Tiburon GS gets Hyundai's 138 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual shifting. (CONTINUED...)