CRITICS who claim the medium and large-size car market is dead haven’t noticed an emerging fightback by car-makers.

While the locally-made Toyota Camry is at the departure gate awaiting the final countdown, there’s new models landing – Ford Mondeo and Holden’s Opel-sourced Insignia – and recent arrivals such as the refreshed Mazda6, new Subaru Liberty and Skoda’s Octavia.

Now there’s Hyundai’s Sonata which, unusually, joins the mid-size camp alongside its i40 sibling that has been around since late 2011.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia believes the Sonata offers a different aspect to its existing i40, not the least being that the newcomer is only available as a sedan and only with a choice of two petrol engines.

The i40 offers diesel and both sedan and wagon derivatives.

The Sonata is more conservatively styled than the i40, a deliberate exercise to broaden its market audience and draw few critics.

Arguably, this restrained design may also prove to hold long-term resale value, an elusive attribute not necessarily gifted to Hyundai.

It’s a car that, curbside at least, looks neat and functional.

But the big surprise is how it drives.

This is one of the few Hyundai sedans that will bring a smile to drivers, calm passengers and win fleets.

Click here for the full review...