Choose Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima

Relative novices to the mid-size sedan section, the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima have not taken long to increase to the top of the class. The pair has gone from distant finishers to highly rated competitors that now rank in sales alongside car like the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion--and for strong reason, due to excellent fuel economy, great interior styling, class-leading value and available hybrid models.

As soon as you've narrowed down your alternatives to the South Korean-designed pair, even though, how can you select between them? Here we've rated them identically, which makes the option even more hard. For the most part, it comes down to styling, though there are subtle differences in handling too that may tip the scales in one direction.

Both the Sonata and Optima have some steering fundamentals and suspension. Interior and trunk space is quite comparable, too, with plenty of front-seat leg room and head room, with head room that's fine for all but six-foot adults and those any taller as well as above-average knee room in the back seat. Each has an all-independent suspension with a very tight, borderline firm, ride quality, and electric power steering that have more heft and somewhat more realistic sense in the Optima. Both the two sedans could use comfortable seats with longer bottom cushions, particularly on base models; ventilated and heated seats are an alternative on either, as is leather trim. Trunk space and small-item storage are quite good.

In safety and features, the Sonata and Optima have been leaders for their brands and for the most recent generation of family sedans. Both have earned outstanding safety scores from the IIHS and NHTSA; Bluetooth is common on both, and a rearview camera can be had on either.

The Optima and Sonata have much more in accordance than any other two mid-size family sedans--no great surprise, since Hyundai has owned Kia since the early 2000s. Both are derived by a range of four-cylinder engines, from the basic normally aspirated cars with about 200 horsepower, to the 274-horsepower turbocharged versions, with manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Our choose: either with the turbocharged four and the automatic, a good pairing that executes quick highway passes without much turbo lag, replicating V-6 power without the drain on gas. Base fours are rated at 35 mpg highway--but turbo fours still earn an EPA-pegged 32 mpg highway. We've driven both hybrids, and think they have promise, but the 40-mpg-rated sedans require more drive train refinement before we suggest them.

Eventually, we think the selection between the Kia Optima and Hyundai's Sonata comes down to looks. Actually, the big difference is exterior styling and interior styling.Would you rather have the fluidic sculpture of the Sonata, or the dynamic, almost Audi-like appeal of the Optima?

Road Test: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550

If you've been in a 2013 Mercedes SLS, the new SL's interior styling will seem to be familiar. While certainly not a direct lift from the gullwing super car, the SL's interior is very much the same. You'll also find the echo of SL traditions in the round grilles of the air vents, which recall the R107 SL that was created between 1971 and 1989. Needless to say there's lots of leather and aluminum, and two optionally available woods if you would really like a more comfortable ambience.

The seats are very strongly bolstered, yet wide enough for a fast-food junkie, which is a wonderful strategy. They're also warmed, cooled and adjustable in nearly all conceivable way. We're also thrilled to state that Mercedes has ultimately put a good set of cupholders in the SL. There are three — two smaller provisions up in front of the shift lever on one biggie back and the center console between the seats. This is a big bargain; there's lastly a place to put your lady's Big Gulp-size mochachino chai-latte double shot.

As reported by Mercedes, this is the safest car in the world. As common equipment, this car has effective rollover bars, A-pillars made from a mix of aluminum and steel, and every passive and active safety system Mercedes needs to offer. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL's new design picks up where the also brand new CLS sedan left off. It's more serious. Also more strong, if a bit less traditional. The silhouette we've known ever since 2003 is still there, but the car has expanded a bit larger. It's now two inches longer and 2.2 inches wider. Two completely different suspension systems are out there. There's the regular semi-active dampening or recommended Active Body Control, which applies air springs. Both systems are combined with lots of aluminum suspension partsin an effort to minimize unsprung weight.

The ABC system in our test vehicle provides a sensational handling mixture that matches the SL's feature. Changing it from Comfort mode to Sport dials up the spring rate, but the damping continues to be the same. Even in Sport the vehicle is never too strong, and in Comfort it's downright supple. And the SL corners dead flat, which tends to make it feel more agile, even in actually tight corners. Front end grip is extremely good, and the SL's stability helps make it a simple car to drive easily. Every brand-new SL uses Mercedes' new "Direct-Steer" electric steering system. Direct-Steer controls each of the ratio and the assist of the power steering based on the speed of the vehicle, backing the SL at straight-line highway speeds and reducing both the effort and the turn-in required during low-speed techniques.

<a href="http://www.carpart4u.com"><strong>Mercedes</strong></a> has succeeded in improving the SL's comfort, dynamics, safety and its performance, while also increasing its efficiency. To know more about Mercedes and its <a href="http://www.carpart4u.com/category/6669/Interior-Styling.html"><strong>interior styling</strong></a>, your can come to carpart4u.com.