Hyundai today is a world-class player on a stage filled with great cars. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited is a luxury sports sedan and like its Kia rival, is available with a turbo-charged engine. Hyundai long ago completely reinvented itself and the whole range of products are thoroughly top-notch. The Sonata is also available in a Hybrid model.

The Hyundai Sonata is packed with features and content - all at a price that starts at $27,245. - our nicely-equipped test car, equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo-charged engine, navigation package with Bluetooth, satellite Infinity iPod-ready stereo, leather and more topped out at just $30,350 including shipping. It's an affordable car that also gets great fuel economy - 22-mpg city, 33-mpg highway. We averaged about 29-mpg during our week-long evaluation drive.

Built in Montgomery, Alabama with a nearly half domestic content and a US-made engine, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited sedan is a cool blend of European styling, Korean engineering in a "Made in USA" package.

It's difficult to talk about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata without the 2011 Kia Optima entering the discussion. The Kia Optima is the Hyundai Sonata's closest rival - and both are truly good cars that look and perform well. We think of them as the Audi and BMW of South Korea. But they are not copycat cars - they each stand alone on their own merits and both bring great value to the table. We like the glass roof treatment on the Kia Optima, but the Hyundai Sonata has better outward visibility.

The two cars are very similar, but on closer examination the differences become clear. Each is unique in its own right - the Kia Optima does contain more details and features, but the Sonata simply drives better. It has what we call "road substance" that gives it a more confident and heavy feel on the road than its rival - especially in the well-balanced steering weight. We like them both equally - but for different reasons.

Driving the Hyundai Sonata Limited with the 2.0 turbo-charged engine is a smooth and predictable experience that is free of drama and disappointments. The excitement is found at the throttle, which quickly awakens the power of the turbo-charged engine. Braking is linear and smooth, and steering inputs are sharp. I really like the weight of the steering (the amount of steering feedback and wheel resistance) - it's finely-tuned and very pleasant.

Inside, the Hyundai Sonata is a well designed and executed package that is good-looking, contemporary, and user-friendly. The comfortable cabin is quiet at highways speeds, and all of the instruments and controls are easy to operate and intuitive.

Overall, it's clear that Hyundai focuses on delivering economy, safety, design, and technology in its product range. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited delivers each one in abundance, at a very affordable price. It's a car that deserves consideration, and be prepared to be abundantly impressed with this car.

- by Vince Bodiford