2006 Hyundai Sonata Preview

Previously, the Sonata was topped out by a 2.7-liter V6 which made 176 horsepower in its most performance-oriented tune.

The new top-tier motor is a 3.3-liter V6 producing 229 horsepower. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada)

Applied to sport utilities, sports cars and even luxury sedans, the motor is fairly refined but lacks character and for that matter get-up-and-go. The new top motor, a 3.3-liter V6, is a much better effort. It produces 229 horsepower, which is not quite class-leading but nevertheless much closer to the top ranking motors than anything else the Korean marque has ever created. Hooked up to a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission with H-Gear manual shift mode, the 2006 Sonata should be quick enough to have Japanese and domestic vehicle owners doing a double-take in their rear-view mirrors.

In order to improve European sales, Hyundai will offer the Sonata with a turbodiesel motor for the first time. It won't be until late 2006 before the 2.2-liter common rail turbodiesel appears, but it's an improvement for a market where diesel power is lucrative. As a side note, Hyundai has never offered diesel power in

While Hyundai has never offered diesel power in North America, we could see one in the next couple of years. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada)

North America, but with increasing fuel prices, and the rebirth of diesel power thanks to Jeep in its 2005 Liberty, plus diesels offered by Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, we could very well be seeing a CRDI-badged Sonata in dealers over the course of the next few years.

Hyundai's marketing feels that the time is right to introduce a second coupe into the company's lineup. The successful Tiburon is slated to have a larger sibling based off the new Sonata platform, but in the shape of last year's Detroit show-stopper, the HCD8-Coupe concept. The four-seater sports car which is said to be on its way for 2007 will be slated to do battle against the American Honda Accord Coupe and the Toyota Camry Solara, both of which are gaining in popularity.