EXTERIOR

The Sonata really is gorgeous. Its long, swoopy lines reminded me of a willowy runway model slithering down city streets.

Because it's a sedan it was easy for everyone in my family to get in and out of it. The cargo area was huge, and I had to bend and reach into it to get at those few items that slid to the back of the trunk. I supposed that's a little inconvenient, but I'd rather have more cargo room than not enough.

The Sonata SE has a 200-hp, 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. It gets an EPA-estimated 22/35 mpg city/highway and uses regular gas.

During my test week in the Sonata, it achieved the gas mileage of a much smaller vehicle — perhaps closer to a moped. This appears to have been Hyundai's goal: Provide a head-turning, luxurious-looking sedan that uses regular fuel and uses it sparingly. Score! I averaged 25.6 mpg, which as I type doesn't seem so astounding, but let me explain. We drove to the Sonata to Great Grandma's place and back without having to stop for gas. As my kids will tell you, Great Grandma's is a long trip. It's seriously over-the-river-and-through-the-woods distances to get to her place, which can be loosely translated to 90 minutes one way.

    See also:

    Spot Cleaning
    Don't use gasoline, strong solvents or corrosive cleaning agents. These can damage the finish of the car. To remove road tar, use turpentine on a clean, soft cloth. Be gentle. To remove dead ...

    Sliding the sunroof
    To open or close the sunroof (manual slide feature), pull or push the sunroof control lever backward or forward to the first detent position. Pulling the control lever downward also closes the su ...

    Any questions?
    If you have any questions about the care of your car, consult your Hyundai dealer. R : Replace I : Inspect and, after inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary Note : (1) When r ...