We found the XG350's engine smooth and quiet, willing and free-revving. Its relative silence added to the pleasant ambience of the interior, allowing for comfortable conversation or quiet reflection. This dual-overhead-cam engine produces 194 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 216 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm. That's respectable power at reasonably low rpm, which translates to good throttle response around town.

Hyundai's five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly enough, but in semi-manual Shiftronic mode it always upshifts at a pre-programmed engine speed, rather than holding a lower gear when you open the throttle wide. Upshifts are on the long side, and the transmission is slow to kick down for passing. That's unfortunate, because the XG is fun to drive, and we would enjoy holding a lower gear and pushing the engine to its redline.

Steering is light and easy. The power assist to the steering varies with engine speed, a strategy that is invisible most of the time but noticeable when the transmission upshifts when exiting a turn and the power assist increases.

Braking is reassuringly linear, and ABS helps maintain steering control while braking on slippery surfaces. The standard traction control does the same when accelerating. New for 2004 is Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which apportions brake application front-and-rear for maximum stopping assistance. Opportunities to evaluate EBD never presented themselves, but its presence was comforting as were the larger front brake discs, 12.1 inches in diameter now, against a former 10.9 inches. When it comes to stopping, any little bit can make a big difference.