2011 Hyundai Sonata

After the Genesis, which is a bold product draped in drab sheetmetal, and the Genesis Coupe, which looks good but also a bit too much like the underwhelming Tiburon, here, finally, is the Hyundai that really is going to stop people in their tracks. And it will wear the everyday Sonata badge.

While the actual design of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata largely appears to be a 3-D Xerox of the Volkswagen CC, Hyundai seems to have been peering over Mazda’s shoulder when it drafted the car’s stylistic philosophy of “fluidic sculpture,” which it says is inspired by nature and “tries to reflect sophistication and dynamism in the shape of the vehicle.” Regardless of cues, inspiration, or wholesale design theft, there is no arguing that the shape is dramatic, whether wearing a VW badge or the stylized Hyundai “H.” The surprising design continues inside, with a handsome, upscale blend of materials, colors, and swoopy, modern shapes.

High-Tech and High-Luxe

Hyundai promises a comprehensive technological roster, including standard stability control and hill-start assist—although we don’t understand why people need this when the standard transmission is a six-speed automatic—as well as a brake-assist system and adjustable dampers. Available luxury equipment will include a three-piece panoramic sunroof and heated seats front and rear.

Also new is the Sonata’s onboard telematics system—think Korean OnStar. Emergency-notification and anti-theft tracking functions are free for the first two years, but maintenance-monitoring and -alert capabilities are probably going to cost extra.