File:Hyundai Sonata GLS and Hybrid (US) (7446031358).jpg

These days, the Hyundai Sonata has become a very common sight on American highways; its sales numbers have come very close to the Honda Accord levels. Alongside the Nissan Altima as well as the domestic models Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion, the Sonata has helped break the Camry-Accord duopoly that used to be the US family sedan market, and it's much better to choose from six excellent models than just two! (I personally hate the Camry with a passion, and that previously made me a member of Team Accord by default, but now I like the Sonata better than either, though my pick now would likely be one of the domestics.)

A pair of Sonatas side-by-side, showing the differences between a conventional Sonata and an electric hybrid Sonata.

The red example is the most typical conventional Sonata: the base GLS ($20,725), with "popular equipment package" which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, power driver seat, and automatic headlight control, which adds $750 to the price. Like all non-hybrid Sonatas for the US market, it was built in Montgomery, Alabama. The body-colored front grille is specific to the US-market GLS; all other versions get chrome grille.

The white example is a Hybrid, which starts at $25,850. This particular example also has the Leather Package for $1,500 which adds leather seating and auto-dimming rearview mirror. Production of the Hybrid remains at the Sonata flagship assembly plant in Asan, South Korea. The Hybrid has a unique front end, a unique rear bumper, and clear taillights, as well as different wheel designs.

I am killing a bit of time at my local Hyundai dealership while a burned-out parking light on my own '09 Genesis is being replaced. I am practicing my photo techniques for Barrett-Jackson Automobile Auction later in the day (especially trying to make up for a defect in my 18-55mm zoom lens that gives me asymmetric distortion at its widest settings), and it's worked out better than I thought.