My tester, a top-of-the-line Limited model, also came with a myriad of features and amenities car buyers usually have to pay several extra thousands of dollars for. Most surprising were the heated rear seats as well as the high-quality Dimension stereo and touch-screen navigation system. A short drive to the remote corners of the Laurentides region brought to light the amazing accuracy of the GPS, which allowed me to enjoy the beautiful scenery and reach my destination with great peace of mind.

State-of-the-art powerplant
In addition to its oh-so-sexy design that will make many competitors jealous, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata boasts one of the most efficient and capable engines in its class. The 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder Theta II manages to deliver 198 horsepower with remarkable ease. Incidentally, the Sonata trumped every other sedan in our comparison when it came to straight-line accelerations, even though the automatic transmission it’s mated to raised a number of question marks.

Admittedly, this 6-speed unit with Shiftronic doesn’t feel gutsy and lively enough when pushed to the limit. And don’t count on the manual mode to spice things up, as shifts always seem to come with a half-second delay. It’s a fairly small price to pay, however, one that will essentially surface during spirited driving only. In regular, everyday conditions, the Sonata remains the queen of comfort and practicality.

The 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder Theta II manages to deliver 198 horsepower with remarkable ease. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

Speaking of which, the massive 464-litre trunk offers convenient access and allows the family to make no compromise when planning multi-day trips or supermarket raids.

Too bad the steering lacks precision and weight. On the plus side, the comfort-tuned suspension is highly effective at delivering a nice, confidence-inspiring ride.

In the end, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited proves to be a real gem that midsize sedan buyers definitely have to put atop their shopping list. And if you still have any lingering doubts about the quality of Korean products, this one will blow them away for good.