1999 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai should be given a bravery medal for putting its new Sonata sedan in the highly competitive mid-size auto market, which is dominated by the established Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus.

However, the redesigned, front-drive Sonata is surprisingly good. And its base prices of $14,999 to $16,999 put it at several thousand dollars less than many competitors.

South Korea's Hyundai lacks the image of top rivals; it still is getting over its reputation for selling marginal cars. Whether the Sonata will equal rivals in quality remains to be seen. But Hyundai backs the nicely assembled car with limited warranties lasting up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.

The more rigidly built 1999 Sonata has a slightly wider new body and looks racier than many rivals. It also has sophisticated new engines and transmissions--along with a nifty new suspension.

Advanced safety items include standard side air bags up front. There's also a detection system that doesn't allow activation of front or side air bags for the front passenger seat if that seat is empty or occupied by a baby or small child.

The base $14,999 Sonata comes with a 2.4-liter, 149-horsepower, dual-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder and smoother five-speed manual transmission. It has plenty of equipment, including air conditioning, AM/FM cassette, tilt wheel, reclining bucket seats, and power windows, locks and mirrors.

The top-line $16,999 GLS adds a 2.5-liter 170-horsepower dual-overhead-camshaft V-6, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player and split folding rear seat with a center armrest and cupholders. Wider 60-series tires on 15-inch alloy wheels replace the base model's 70-series tires on thinner 14-inch wheels.

The GLS V-6 is offered with the manual transmission for those who want sportier driving. It also can be had with a more-advanced version of the automatic offered for the base model.

Both automatics cost $800. Other options include a $1,200 leather upholstery/power driver seat package for the GLS and a $1,175 package for the base model that contains cruise control, power sunroof and AM/FM/CD player.

Anti-lock brakes and traction control are offered only for the GLS in a $3,225 package that also includes a power sunroof and leather upholstery.

The 16-valve four-cylinder provides decent performance, especially with the manual transmission. The quieter, 24-valve V-6 provides lively acceleration with either transmission. However, even the generally responsive automatic in the GLS is a bit slow to downshift.

Both engines deliver about 20 m.p.g. in city driving and approximately 28 on highways.

The variable ratio power steering is quick and precise. The suspension provides a smooth ride even over nasty bumps, but sometimes causes the car to become a little bouncy. Handling of the GLS--with its wider tires and gas-pressurized shock absorbers--is so good that it encourages spirited driving. And braking is quick and sure, with nice pedal feel.

The Sonata easily seats four 6-footers in an interior that has a very roomy back seat. Hyundai did much to reduce noise with the new model, which is impressively quiet except for minor wind and road noise at highway speeds.

The leather interior significantly enhances the appearance of the cockpit, which has good instrumentation and fairly large, nicely placed controls.

The large cargo area has a low opening for easy loading, although there are old-fashioned trunk hinges instead of hydraulic struts.

Also, the cover for the console-mounted front cupholders flips up to partly block a driver's access to them.

On the plus side, the easily gripped outside door handles are similar to those in the costly, top-line Acura 3.5RL. And there is a large raised area for a driver to rest his or her foot.

The Sonata offers a lot of value for the money and promises to give Hyundai an improved reputation.