The mid-size Sonata sedan from Hyundai received a face-lift last year with more power injected into its optional V6 plus a Shiftronic automatic transmission.

This year the series repeats with three Sonata trims that start with a base Sonata and climb to GLS and deluxe LX, the latter two rolling on 16-inch alloy wheels.

With a high wrap of dark windows and low ring of curves carved into doors, the car seems to hunker down against the ground, setting up a slinky stance that looks elegant and dressy but also active and even aggressive -- and clearly different from typical sedans from other Asian automakers.

Sonata also puts more headroom in a cabin dressed with favored features for comfort and luxury, along with safety systems like frontal and side air bags. Sonata's 2.7-liter V6 engine runs to 181 hp. The base dual-cam 2.4-liter four musters 149 hp.