There's a sense of forward motion and muscularity to the M35, even at a standstill. Without resorting to extreme styling cues, Infiniti has created a unique sedan that makes its own statement on the road. The M35's profile looks low, with a waistline that rises over its haunches. A short front overhang adds to the impression that the car is leaning forward, like a cheetah ready to pounce. The M35 eschews excessive ornamentation or body scalloping, opting instead for clean lines and moderate fenders that flare over beautiful 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels wearing low profile tires.

Big HID xenon headlamps wrap the front corners with a predator's gaze, and the bulging horizontal grill implies power under the hood. The rear end of the M35 comes to a neat right angled stop, maximizing trunk space and giving a trim, clean view to those who fall behind. A flash of the LED taillights lets the vanquished know that they've been overtaken by a high-tech car.

I had occasion to valet park the M35 a few times during my testing. Each time, the valets chose to park it in a prominent spot – high praise in LA's hierarchy of valet parking. My usual ride winds up in Siberia – that is, if I can convince the valets to take the keys in the first place.Just opening the door of the M35 gives you an idea about the car's quality. The well-balanced doors have the right weight and solidity, and resound with a solid thunk when you pull them closed. Infiniti's great seats are covered with leather that will just improve with age and use. My girlfriend loved the climate control feature, which air conditions or heats the seats at your command. The 10-way power adjustment combined with tilt/telescope adjustment for the leather-wrapped steering wheel make finding the right driving position a breeze, and memory settings make the car smart enough to return you to that position. The M35 also features keyless ignition – you start and stop the engine by pushing a button on the dash while depressing the brake pedal. Very cool.

I've always liked Infiniti's Controller technology – a computer command center with a dash-mounted 7-inch LCD monitor that can display everything from audio settings to tire pressure. My test vehicle was outfitted with the $4,200 "Technology Package" of options, which includes DVD navigation and a surround sound system, both of which operate intuitively through the Controller. The longer you owned this car, the more features you'd be able to take advantage of and masteThe M35 moves like a shark, with smooth precision and relentless forward momentum. Front engine/rear drive is a great setup, and the 280 hp/270 lb-ft of torque from the M35's 3.5 Liter 24-valve V6 is plenty to motivate the 3,880 lb vehicle. I didn't feel the need to use the manual shift mode very often, as the 5-speed automatic transmission kept the M35's engine in the powerband under most conditions. I always had confidence in high demand situations like passing and merging onto the freeway, and twisty roads were positively a romp with Infiniti's Rear Active Steer. The M35's vehicle speed-sensitive steering felt direct and communicated road conditions without harshness. The Lane Departure Warning system beeps when you stray from your lane – a much more polite system than my girlfriend's usual shrieks of terror.

My only slight annoyance with the M35 had to do with the controls on the steering wheel. During hard cornering, I caught a toggle on the wheel more than once, changing the radio station or climate control settings by accident.2011 will see the introduction of the redesigned Infiniti M-series. The V6 version will be known as the M37, which I assume means it'll get the 330ish horsepower V6 from the G37. The V8 will be the M56. Yowza! In Infiniti parlance, that means 5.6 liters and, according to Infiniti, something like 400 horsepower.
2011 will see the introduction of the redesigned Infiniti M-series. The V6 version will be known as the M37, which I assume means it'll get the 330ish horsepower V6 from the G37. The V8 will be the M56. Yowza! In Infiniti parlance, that means 5.6 liters and, according to Infiniti, something like 400 horsepower.

This is the new version of the Hyundai Sonata as packaged for Hyundai's home market of Korea. The US-spec version of the car, due in 2010 as a 2011 model, will look similar.
Here's the skinny if you only have a minute to read this review: Get the Sonata with the 4-cylinder engine, manual transmission and save the rest of your money for a rainy day. For less than $18k you'll get Honda-quality engineering, a long warranty and a car as reliable as a Lexus or Infiniti. As tested: $17,895. Warranty (not bumper-to-bumper): 10 years/100,000 milesIt's clear that Hyundai's engineers were benchmarking the Honda Accord as the vehicle to build. And boy did they hit the nail on the head. In fact, they may have cheated a little because the trunk and the rear taillights appear to be a knock-off from the current Accord. Head on, even the new Hyundai grill-mounted logo could be mistaken for Honda's. While it may not sound like it, I'm complimenting Hyundai - the Accord is a hell of a car.

That said the '06 Sonata has a refreshingly clean, very contemporary look from every angle. The concave hood dome, the jewelled projector headlights and fog lights for example, are both original touches. In a very subtle way, the Sonata's a very attractive automobile. And it's actually quite a bit bigger car than you're probably thinking.

Measured strictly by its exterior dimensions the new Sonata qualifies as a "mid-size." Remarkably, however, the EPA actually classifies it as a "large" car because of its interior volume - 120 cubic feet. Sonata's main rivals are all classified as mid-size.Talk about improvement! Headroom, elbowroom and legroom in all five seats are exceptional. Yes indeed, five adults can actually fit comfortably in this one. The seat cushions are set higher off the floor making not only for exceptionally easy entry and exit but also for excellent visibility from every seat.

It has an enormous trunk with a conveniently low liftover. The trunk lid lifts up and well out of the way and the 60/40 split rear seats fold flat making for an immense cargo area.

The dash features an economical and convenient design with metal-like trim on the center console. With their dark background, the gauges can be a bit hard to read in some conditions, however.

Wind and road noise are kept luxury-car low thanks to body refinements made in the wind tunnel. Tight fitting glass did a fine job even keeping out most of the blat from a Harley with Screaming Eagle pipes that paced us for a couple of blocks.

Even with the basic 4-cylinder GL you get all the latest safety enhancements, including 4 disc brakes with ABS and EBD as well as electronic stability control and traction control. Six air bags with active front seat head restraints (prevents whiplash) are also standard.
On the Road
Two new DOHC engines are offered in the 2006 Sonata - an inline 2.4L four-cylinder (I-4) developing 162hp (164 lb-ft torque) and a 3.3L V-6 developing 235 hp (226 lb-ft torque).

I've tested both V-6 and I-4 equipped vehicles and frankly, I prefer the 4-cylinder. I don't know the type of driving you do but my short hops in city-type of stop-and-go conditions proved better suited to the I-4. Like it or not, fuel economy is a social, perhaps even a security issue these days. In real life driving, the fewer cylinders you have to feed with fuel, the less fuel you'll use. The I-4 promises to be far more fuel-efficient than the V-6.

I was particularly impressed with the I-4's highway manners. It's smooth, quiet and quite responsive. Because the I-4 engine is lighter than V-6, its front suspension has been tuned a bit softer. My more competitive driving colleagues claim this induces more understeer. Nevertheless, with its much-improved body stiffness (compared with the '05) and a state-of-the-art double wishbone front and 5-link rear suspension, the '06 Sonata felt exceptionally secure on all the roads I took it, even the tight and twisty mountain roads.I've driven all variations of the Sonatas (engines and transmissions) and all were quite good but I'd probably opt for the 5-speed manual, were I in the market for a new car.

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata was designed in California and engineered in Michigan. While V-6 models are built in Alabama, the 4-cylinder car is built in South Korea. Build quality is identical, though - according to a technical expert I consulted. In fact, he compared the Sonata's quality to German cars costing three times more!

The new Sonata's contemporary styling, reasonable prices, long list of standard features and demonstrated bulletproof reliability represents strongest challenge yet to the Japanese. It's an ideal-sized, exceptionally well-engineered, contemporary sedan that’s made for folks who want reliable, comfortable and stylish transportation with a minimum of waste. And all of it at a reasonable price. Hyundai's come a long way and its really ready to take you for a ride. And this ride you can afford.

The Equus ("eh-koos") is a high-end luxury sedan that Hyundai sells in its home market of South Korea. Hyundai recently released this new version of the Equus based on the Genesis Sedan, and they plan to bring it to the US, although final styling details are still up in the air -- as is the Equus name.

Ford's Super Duty pickup gets modified interior and exterior styling, but more important is what's under the hood: A new Ford-designed 6.7 liter diesel V8 (replacing the former Navistar-sourced engine), a new 6.2 liter twin-plug gasoline V8, and a new six-speed automatic transmission. Ford says ride and handling are also improved, and that the new diesel will be the quietest on the market.