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It would have been so simple if Hyundai had just abandoned the U.S. after its sales slipped into the toilet in the 1980s, when it was found that its Excel not only offered low cost, but low quality as well.

But Hyundai decided to save face, and it went back to the engineering studios in South Korea to prepare for a comeback.

The result, the 2006 Sonata, a midsize sedan, is the poster child for the adage: “If at first you don’t succeed, you still can do better than Yugo.”

Hyundai is back–with a vengeance. Sales in 2004 rose 9.6 percent, to 418,615 units, and expectations for ’05 are 485,000 units.

And for the first time a South Korean has accomplished what the Japanese have become expert at: Building an assembly plant in the U.S. to produce vehicles in the country where it sells them.

Of course, some may point out that the plant is in Alabama, but, the last we looked, that state qualifies for U.S. status.

Hyundai also followed the Japanese lead by going south to avoid the United Auto Workers union so it can produce vehicles at less cost to keep the prices down.

The plant in Montgomery, Ala., this year started producing the Sonata and will add the Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle, with which it shares a platform, in February of next year. The plant can build 300,000 vehicles annually.

Hyundai has boasted for years that Sonata is just as good as the midsize Toyota Camry or Honda Accord and offers all the same features for $2,000 to $4,000.

In other words, Hyundai says: Why pay $2,000 to $4,000 more for the Camry or Accord name?

The reason is that Camry and Accord have the reputation for quality, durability and dependability. Low-cost, high-content Hyundai, you see, was still working on building an image as a solid vehicle worth taking the risk to purchase.

J.D. Power and Associates confirms that Hyundai has succeeded in the latter. Sonata has received the title of Most Appealing Entry level Midsize Car for two years in a row in the annual Performance, Execution and Layout study (Power has a study for everything, don’t you think?) as well as the top ranking in its segment in the Power Initial Quality Survey last year. That makes Sonata less a gamble.

If you buy based on designer labels, stick with Camry and Accord. If you buy based on value and feel that getting from point A to point B is more important than getting from point A to point B in the vehicle in vogue based on sales, check out Sonata.

Sonata for ’06 is offered in GL, GLS and top-of-the-line LX editions, all of which have a 1-inch longer wheelbase but are 2 inches longer and taller and a half-inch wider than its predecessor produced in South Korea.

Those dimensions mean more wiggle room in the cabin, especially in the back seat, which is so spacious the Cadillac folks should copy the blueprint for their next update of their midsize STS luxury sedan.

The trunk is also suprisingly ample for luggage or groceries. If more cargo room is needed, the split rear seat backs flip and fold flat at the pull of a handle.

The LX comes with a new 3.3-liter, 235-horsepower V-6 as standard along with a 5-speed automatic with Shiftronic, or manual-mode shifting. The V-6 is alert and lively, but more important, it’s quiet without a lot of the commotion that Hyundai engines have made over the years.

For some, the $2,000 to $4,000 difference between Sonata and Camry/Accord wasn’t as important when stepping hard on the accelerator and putting up with unnecessary noise as if straining to perform.

Not only do you enjoy performance with peace, you also enjoy a respectable mileage rating of 20 m.p.g. city/30 highway.

Where Sonata may not be in the same league as Camry and Accord is in ride and handling, though mostly the latter. The suspension is tuned to deliver boulevard-smooth ride without lots of gyrations and pronounced movement while providing adequate handling.

The new, standard, 17-inch, radial tires help Sonata cling to its path better than in previous years, but there’s still some lean in corners.

As long as you accept that Sonata is designed to deliver smooth ride with optimum mileage and not pinpoint maneuvering like a sports sedan, you’ll enjoy it. Expect more, and you’ll be disappointed.

If you insist that your vehicle make a fashion statement, Sonata will fall short. Clean yet conservative styling. If it weren’t for the Hyundai logo in the grille, many would say it looks just like most midsize Japanese sedans, which means the sheet metal isn’t memorable.

What’s neat about Sonata, however, is that it delivers a lot for the money. Electronic stability control with traction control is standard to prevent wheels from slip-sliding away. And four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard as well. You typically don’t find standard stability control in a vehicle that starts at less than $23,000.

Sonata is big on safety features, from side-impact bags for front-seat occupants side-curtain air bags front and rear–and they’re standard.

Appreciated features include buttons to open the fuel filler door and trunk that are easy to reach below the driver’s door armrest; small and large stowage compartments in the center console under a sliding armrest; and a pair of small coin, key or even I-Pass holders in the instrument panel.

Of course, the big attraction is the sticker price. The top-of-the-line LX starts at $22,895, including power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, heated front seats with power driver’s seat, leather seating surfaces, automatic temperature control and tilt and telescoping steering.

About the only item missing was a power sunroof, which runs $850.

Munster mash: Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster of the “The Munsters” TV show, and George Barris, creator of the Munster Koach and a host of TV cars, will appear this weekend at the Volo Auto Museum in Volo west of Grayslake.

Patrick and Barris will host the 2nd Annual Kustom & Hotrod Show from 10 a.m to 3 p.m Sunday at the museum and sign autographs on Monday.

Barris also created cars for “Batman,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “Knight Rider” TV shows.

Visit www.volocars.com or call 815-385-3644.

Strictly personal: Birthday greetings to granddaughter Ashley Marie, who is 6.

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TEST DRIVE

2006 Hyundai Sonata LX

Wheelbase: 107.4 inches

Length: 188.9 inches

Engine: 3.3-liter, 235-h.p. V-6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic with Shiftronic manual mode

Fuel economy: 20 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway

Base price: $22,895

Price as tested: $22,895. Add $600 for freight.

Pluses: Redesigned and re-engineered for U.S., where it’s now built. Loaded with safety equipment, from ABS and traction control to electronic stability control and front/rear side-curtain air bags. Loaded with amenities, from air conditioning to power windows, locks and mirrors. New 4-cylinder for high mileage, new V-6 for improved performance. Larger dimensions for more cabin room and comfort. Smooth ride, decent mileage. No navigation system.

Minuses: Styling lacks flash or flair.

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Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.