Motor Trend has a road test shootout between the 2006 Hyundai Azera, the 2006 Toyota Avalon Touring, and the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L online. It seems that they even coined a phrase for cars of this ilk, aspirational sedans. The Motor Trend lads describe an aspirational sedan as one that's a step above Ford or Chevy, but a step below Lincoln or Cadillac. And this is interesting, because I think this is the first time I've heard a Hyundai described as a step above Ford or Chevy. Perhaps Hyundai is moving up in the world like its cousin Kia.

I have to admit that these cars are rather boring, not a single one of them moves me in any way. Surely they appeal to some out there. With that said I will say that the cars all Performed surprisingly well in Motor Trend's performance testing. Both the Toyota and Volkswagen turned in 0 to 60 times of 6.2 seconds. That's as fleet of foot as the Mazdaspeed Six with its turbocharged engine and performance oriented nature I talked about last week. The Hyundai, quite down on power from the other two, turned in a 0 to 60 romp of 6.8 seconds. None of these cars will win any drag races, but that's more than enough performance for grandma or those family-oriented types. That is unless dad harbors a secret hankering for a Mustang GT.