2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited XM Road Test

Climbing into the Sonata was like coming home to an old friend, afterspending more than ten months with a long-term Limited last year, and being part of countless log entries and what resulted in a mind-numbing 20 updates (once every two weeks). As you may remember we clocked up 6,472 completely trouble-free miles on the odo (except for me killing the battery) and only really complained about the audio steering wheel controls not featuring a button for changing radio stations, the lack of satellite radio and somewhere to plug in our various iPods.

Well, with the slightly updated 2007 model there's still nowhere to plug in an external audio device of any kind and dealers aren't offering a quick fix (at least not officially), although the addition of XM satellite radio on all automatic transmission equipped models currently being built (more clarity on this below) certainly does a decent job of making me forget about this shortcoming when on the road. There have been other changes too, and I might as well get them out of the way right off the bat. First, other than saying that all Sonatas now boast six airbags standard, including two up front, two side-impact bags and side-curtain airbags for all outsideoccupants, plus active front head restraints, I'm only

An old friend returns to our editor's clutches, with a couple of new changes. (Photo: Kevin Wang, American Auto Press)

going to comment on the Limited XM model, as we've already covered the four and its various upgrades in a previous review. Most noticeable with the Limited XM is a revised front grille that now features a stylish strip of chrome running side to side, giving the car a more upscale appearance. This particular example looks rich in its Dark Cherry Red paint, a new color for 2007. Bright Silver has also been added to the palette, a good thing being that silver remains the number one seller across the industry, making up about 30-percent of purchases. This example also features a tan interior, which contrasts the deep red nicely and looks superb with the environmentally friendly (read: faux) wood grain and metal-like trim, but we're pretty sure it will wear similarly to the light gray we had last year. The seats will be fine, but it'll probably be hard to keep the carpets clean (although tan matches ground

Revised steering wheel audio controls are now much better. This sort of thing is very important when you're drivin' around a lot. (Photo: Kevin Wang, American Auto Press)

in soil much better than gray). Fortunately, Black leather can now be ordered, along with black carpets and dark charcoal plastics. After a quick drive Jennifer immediately noticed the improved steering wheel audio controls that now allow her to scroll through radio stations and more via intuitive controls on the front and side of the left-side spoke, plus all of us like the fact that, with the new side-curtain airbags it gets a five star crash safety rating, and that its V6 is greener, now meeting Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (LEV-II ULEV) standards and boasting slightly better fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. This improvement helps it to edge out the Accord EX-L V6 in the city while matching the Japanese brand's highway rating, but falling a bit behind the Camry XLE V6 on both counts.

Standard features (some over those of the SE XM) include leather seating surfaces, leather door trim

Prices are up, but ever so slightly. You do get more content, though. (Photo: Kevin Wang, American Auto Press)

inserts, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy rims (that I'm not particularly fond of) wrapped in 50-aspect ratio Michelin all-season tires, a sliding center armrest that's really comfortable, a power glass sunroof with a sun shade(that strangely would slip back about an inch under hard acceleration), chrome exterior highlights with that chrome-accented grille I just mentioned, and an electronic five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode ... I'll discuss some of these items in more detail in a moment.

Our test example featured the upgraded Ultimate package ($1,750), addressing something that caused yours truly to regularly grumble when updating our long-term 2006 Limited, that didn't include this enhancement. The package features a power glass sunroof and an AM/FM/XM/MP3/6-CD changer stereo system with Infinity speakers and subwoofer/external amplifier. Add $550 more and you can upgrade to the Platinum Edition package, which will give you everything the Ultimate has plus a rear spoiler, aluminum bodyside molding,

We've always been fond of the Sonata's handsome looks. (Photo: Kevin Wang, American Auto Press)

"platinum" floor mats and "platinum" badging. Automatic climate control is nice, and well worth the extra money of the Limited XM on its own, and the real deal maker with all Sonatas alike is the standard electronic traction (TCS) and stability control (ESC), the latter inarguably the most important automotive safety feature since airbags.

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