ORLANDO, Fla. — Hyundai, which has been updating its product line this last decade at a rate unmatched by other manufacturers, keeps building better and better vehicles. The Sonata has always been Hyundai's competitor to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and the last two generations of the Sonata have come startlingly close to matching the two segment leaders.

Now comes the redesigned 2011 Sonata, and suddenly, Honda and Toyota are playing catch-up. It's early to be handicapping the field for the 2011 car of the year, but I'm confident that the Sonata will be, at worst, a finalist.

The 2011 Sonata has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection — fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber for greater efficiency — that pumps out 200 horsepower in the test model, an SE. In the base GLS, and up-level Limited, the engine has 198 horsepower, because the sportier SE has a less restrictive exhaust system. The base GLS is offered with a six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic is optional, and standard on the SE and Limited. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, with at least 250 horsepower, will be offered later this year, followed by a hybrid model.

Aside from having a couple more horsepower, the SE also has bigger 18-inch tires and wheels. The 2011 Sonata is slightly larger than the current model, but is considerably lighter, as designers and engineers put the car on a diet, using more aluminum and other lightweight materials.

Inside, the Sonata SE's trim, instruments and controls are on par with the competition. If you want luxury, the Limited has leather. Taking a page from Honda, there is a very short list of options – the most expensive is a navigation system with an upgraded sound system that adds $2,100. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, and six-footers fit in the rear with no problem.

Trunk space, at 16.4 cubic feet, is ample, but accessed through a rather narrow opening due to the hatchback-looking roofline. Safety features include six airbags, stability control, brake assist and traction control.

On the road, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder matches up well with the automatic transmission. I haven't driven the turbocharged 2.0-liter, but since that's the base engine in the current Genesis coupe, I expect it to have plenty of muscle.

Perhaps the central Sonata selling point, though, is styling. Past Sonata models have been rather undistinguished, and while the last generation was a good-looking car, it was hard to deny that it had a generic appearance. No longer: From all angles, the new Sonata is handsome and very recognizable.

And it's priced right. The base Sonata GLS starts at $19,195. For the test SE, with shipping and optional carpeted floor mats and wheel locks — all else was standard — list price was $23,465.

Honda? Toyota? The ball's in your court.

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2011 HYUNDAI SONATA

Base price: $19,195

Price as tested: $23,465

EPA rating: 22 miles per gallon city driving, 35 mpg highway.

Details: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive sedan with a 2.4-liter, 200 horsepower four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.