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Sometimes scheduling quirks (OK, we misread the calendar) result in a trio of test cars arriving at the same time. This time it was the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord and Buick Century.

A United Nations of midsize sedans from Korea, Japan and the U.S.

Other than havoc with driveway traffic flow, the trio proved interesting because, if namebadges were removed, it would be a chore trying to tell them apart.

When General Motors cars looked like one another in the ’80s, it was chided for cookie-cutter design. In the last few years, cars from many manufacturers look like one another–especially those with Japanese nameplates–yet stylists are applauded for aerodynamics at work. Go figure.

But we digress.

On to the drives, and we’ll save the best for last.

The 1999 Hyundai Sonata GLS V-6 we tested looks very much like Accord and Century, but similarities end with styling. Accord/Century are major league, Sonata is the minors. Accord/Century are journeymen, Sonata an apprentice. Accord/Century have well-earned reputations as solid, dependable, reliable sedans. The jury is still out on Sonata, redesigned for 1999.

Hyundai says Sonata is a world-class machine. We’ll wait to pay homage until the motoring public seconds the motion with 48 monthly payments.

The uplevel Sonata GLS offers a new 2.5-liter, Hyundai-built V-6, replacing the 3-liter V-6 borrowed from Mitsubishi last year. The 170-horsepower V-6 has decent response to pedal input, but you’ll notice a brief hesitation when kicking the pedal hard for a quick getaway, as if it had to pause for a breath before shouldering the load. The mileage rating is an acceptable 20 miles per gallon city/28 m.p.g. highway.

The 2.5 comes with a new 4-speed automatic with computer memory logic that adapts shift patterns to your preference for optimum mileage or aggressive maneuvers.

Can’t find too much fault with the suspension, thanks to a double wishbone four-wheel independent system, gas-charged shocks and 15-inch radial tires (14-inch on the base Sonata) to handle irregularities in the road. But this is an economy car with a focus on mileage over manners. Ride can be rough; handling isn’t racetrack precise.

Give Hyundai credit for features you usually find in a higher-price model and a wide-ranging warranty.

There’s a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes 24-hour roadside assistance (five years/unlimited mileage) with free towing and lockout service. Powertrain coverage is for 10 years/100,000 miles for the original owner, five years/60,000 miles for the second owner, unless the second owner is a family member, in which case he or she keeps the 10 years/100,000 miles.

The reason for an all-inclusive warranty isn’t because Hyundai considers Sonata to be the highest-quality sedan on the market. It’s that Sonata, in particular, and Hyundai, in general, are trying to erase memories of the questionable Excel.

The warranty is a psychological tool to win customers by giving the perception the car must be good if the company will provide such coverage.

Sonata also offers an air-bag system that’s novel for an economy sedan–dual front- and side-impact air bags with passenger-side presence detection. If no one is in the passenger seat, or if a baby or small child is there (though, as all of us know or should know, babies and small children belong secured in the back seat), a sensor prevents the front and side bags from deploying in a collision.

Hyundai boasts it has so many features for 1999 that it can compete with any midsize sedan regardless of price. With a base of $17,799, price still is what gets people to take a gamble on a Korean car.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power rack-and-pinion steering, cruise control, power windows/door locks/mirrors, remote trunk/fuel-filler door release, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, rear-window defroster and AM/FM ste reo withc ompact-disc player.

Only options were a leather upholstery/power driver’s seat package for $1,200 and carpeted floor mats for $78. With $435 for freight, the sticker was still less than $20,000 at $19,512. If you pass on the leather interior, which only seems sane with an $18,000 car, price is even more attractive.

>> 1999 Hyundai Sonata GLS
© 1999 Chicago Tribune Wheelbase: 106.3 inches Length: 185.4 inches Engine: 2.5-liter, 170-h.p. V-6 Transmission: 4-speed automatic Fuel economy: 20 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway Base price: $17,799 Price as tested: $19,077. Includes $1,200 for leather interior with power driver’s seat and $78 for carpeted floor mats. Add $435 for freight. Pluses: Lots of standard equipment at reasonable price. Presence detection on passenger front and side air bags to keep cushion from deploying if seat empty or child is in it. Bumper-to-bumper five-year/60,000-mile warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance. A 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on powertrain. Minuses: The Hyundai nameplate. Reputations have to be earned and Hyundai still has some earning to do, as evidenced by warranty offered. Leather interior on $18,000 car? V-6 hesitation. >>