By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – In crash test ratings for eight new or redesigned midsize and luxury cars, the Alabama made 2006 Sonata showed marked safety improvements over the previous model. It was given the top score in frontal tests, and the second highest mark for side impact tests. Those were the best scores the vehicle has ever earned. The Sonata tested higher than the Pontiac G-6, Acura T-S-X, Infiniti G-35 and Ford Fusion. Those cars all earned poor ratings in the frontal impact test. The 2006 BMW Three series and Lexus I-S were considered the best overall performers from the group. The crash ratings were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.