Price: $21,145

Five-year true cost of ownership: $33,113

Hyundai totally redesigned Sonata for 2011. In doing so, Hyundai elevated its brand stature as well as raised the bar for midsize sedans. Representing Sonata's lowest cost to own, the GLS has a potent 198-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. The listed price includes the six-speed, driver-shiftable automatic transmission. Estimating fuel economy, the EPA puts the numbers at 22 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

Among its standard equipment: full power accessories, air conditioning, cruise control, remote keyless entry, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, Bluetooth technology, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack.