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    Hyundai Sonata, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    The television commercial touting the 2006 Hyundai Sonata matches it confidently against the Honda Accord. That's a brash move, considering the immense popularity of the country's best-selling midsize car.

    But after the driving the redesigned Hyundai for a week, the Sonata represents itself well. The Accord and other well-established vehicles in the class — Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Malibu — have long histories and well-proven resale values.



    Honda Accord, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    In its 30-year history, the Honda Accord has transitioned from a curiosity to an industry leader. It's now available in the more than 30 configurations, ranging from the LX 2-door coupe with manual transmission to the hybrid 4-door automatic with a navigation system.

    The Accord's base retail price varies more than $12,000, with the least expensive model just under $20,000 and the high-end hybrid now more than $32,000. In brief, the Accord has come a long way since its pint-sized offerings of the late 1970s, and the 2006 edition only further adds to the car's reputation.



    Hyundai Azera, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    As the replacement for the XG350, Hyundai introduced the 2006 Azera earlier this year as the Korean manufacturer's most luxurious and most expensive offering to date.

    Luxurious and expensive have never been synonymous with Hyundai. And with the Azera only luxurious applies. It's a vehicle that may finally allow Hyundai to infringe on the overwhelmingly popular choices in the midsize class — Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.


    Ford Fusion, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    The longstanding popularity of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima have prompted other manufacturers to attempt to infiltrate the midsize sedan market. Few have succeeded, but the Ford Fusion, a 2006 newcomer built in Mexico, could quickly join the major players.

    As the replacement for the Taurus, the Fusion is categorized in the premium midsize class, but its base price of $21,710 and its top-end $25,650 plateau position the car economically well against the market's stronghold trio.

    Chevy Malibu Maxx, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    Introduced more than 40 years ago, the Chevy Malibu has endured numerous body style changes and consumers' fickly buying patterns. But now that it has reached middle age, the midsize staple has a new look and it's still a desirable choice.

    Older Malibus are instantly distinguishable on the road are now collectible. The 2006 models, however, which represent another new style change, don't leave much recognizable from yesteryears' editions. Yet, that's not a bad thing.

    Mercury Milan, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    With midsize monoliths like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry dominating the market for years, what do other manufacturers view as success with their respective offerings in the same class?

    It's a crowded segment of the car market, for sure. Fourteen manufacturers are represented in the midsize class and an additional 10 are featured in the premium midsize category. Mercury hasn't been a serious major player in either category. But like the Hyundai Sonata's genesis a few years ago, the Milan and its close relative, the Ford Fusion, have a lot to offer against the dominating duo at a substantially lower price.



    Subaru Legacy GT, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    The Subaru Legacy, like all of the manufacturer's offerings, is a sure-bet for one outstanding characteristic. It has all-wheel-drive as a standard feature, and it's quite a feature. Subarus corner and maneuver under any circumstance like no other vehicle. The ride is secure and steady, and drivers will have few worries in inclement weather, during sharp cornering or on rough roads.

    With the 2006 Legacy,  particularly the 2.5-liter GT that was my recent weekly drive, the brand's smooth rider was nicely complemented. The vehicle has impressive acceleration, above-average ride quality and a refined quietness often reserved for higher-priced sedans.

    Nissan Maxima, 2006: The Weekly Driver

    The flagship sedan for Nissan, the 2006 Maxima is in tough company in the midsize car category — arguably the most competitive in the auto industry. The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat are among its competitors.

    Yet the Maxima shows itself well in the midsize crowd with a superior interior and exterior design, comfort and myriad individualized features.

    Acura TL, 2005: The Weekly Driver

    Drivers have more stress during the holidays, alcohol consumption increases and patience in busy traffic can quickly wane.

    A 200-mile round-trip, therefore, is a less-than-ideal way to spent part of Thanksgiving. It's potentially more problematic knowing the crowded, late-night return trip could include a stretch of interstate infamous for its thick, late-night fog.  

    But visiting family outweighs the inconveniences of potential driving hassles. And if the journey is made in a vehicle with a commanding and secure road presence, such concerns are sufficiently eased.

    So it was during my weekly test drive of the 2005 Acura TL. The vehicle was successful for several years,  but Acura redesigned it and added more features in 2004 to offer BMW and Audi drivers another choice for a luxury sports sedan that combines performance with value.


    Honda Accord, 2005: The Weekly Driver

    The Honda Accord is arguably the most reliable, well-respected vehicle on the road today. It's not the most luxurious or the fastest car. It doesn't have luxury car status or solicit overt double-takes from passersby.

    But what it does is have is plenty of high marks in nearly every ranked category – comfort to acceleration, instrument control efficiency to ride quality. And what it will likely earn via the public is its overwhelming best-buy status in many consumer guides.

    The 240-horsepower, automatic V6 EX sedan was my weekly test vehicle. The 350 miles I drove the car included a 200-mile trip to San Francisco. The outbound ride was smooth, particularly considering Honda's surprisingly easy-to-use navigation system.

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