As the largest automaker out of South Korea, Hyundai builds an extensive product line that includes such diverse models as luxurious sedans, racy hatchbacks and a 2+2 sports coupe, economical subcompact economy sedans and an agile sport-utility wagon.

The racy model is called Tiburon and this year a new rendition refines Tiburon's original exterior styling while also expanding the platform and adding optional V6 power along with a six-speed stick.

Tiburon looks exotic and downright expensive, as cast in the familiar mold of extravagant 2+2 sports coupes. To confirm price points up front, however, it scores as the anomaly among pricy sportsters.

Hyundai's XG flagship amounts to a sedately styled four-door sedan of generous scale for the mid-size class. Two new models -- XG350 and a luxury-laced XG350L -- emerge with 2003 tags.

Both draw power from a strong V6 tied to a sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission.

Sonata, the value-conscious mid-size sedan in Hyundai's fleet, carves out room for five in a spacious compartment.

Accent and Elantra are two different subcompacts that deliver economical power in surprisingly spacious packages. Elantra represents the bestseller in Hyundai's line.
Santa Fe, a compact sport-utility wagon with either four-cylinder or V6 engine aboard, possesses the best attributes of both a car and truck.

It employs the front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform of a sedan with the monocoque design cultivating the smooth ride quality of a car.

That said, let's get started....