When I hit the car stores this week, showrooms were buzzing with talk about the government’s “cash for clunkers” program, which offers rebates of up to $4,500 on qualifying trade-ins. At Family Hyundai in Dalton, Ga., sales representative Taft Hefner took me to a back lot where several older-model luxury cars were among the trade ins destined for the junk pile. My tester this week, a 2010 Hyundai Sonata, is a good example of a durable, fuel-efficient family sedan that should be in the cross-hairs of anyone aiming for the government rebates, which are now available through Labor Day.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: The four cylinder model accounts for the lion’s share of Sonata sales and boasts a long list of standard features including remote keyless entry, stability and traction control and a five-speed automatic transmission. Sliding behind the wheel of the Sonata GLS, the 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine is quiet and leaps ahead eagerly at higher revs. (Hyundai boasts that the engine also burns 50 percent cleaner than the average new car.) The cabin is well-isolated from road noise. It was a little difficult for me to find a comfortable sitting position in the Sonata, but the seats are firm and covered in high-quality fabric. Visibility is good fore and aft, and the Sonata feels as if it would be a trusty cruiser. A six-cylinder engine making 249 horsepower is also available in higher trim lines.

STYLING: The Sonata’s current body style debuted for 2006 and is beginning to look a bit dated. That said, it’s a classic, inoffensive shape. The interior design is simple (in a good way), and offers soft-to-the-touch plastics that flow into a nicely sculpted dash. Steel, 16-inch wheels are standard on the GLS. My Radiant Silver tester boasted a top-notch paint job.

FEATURES: Even the modestly equipped GLS comes with anti-lock brakes, cruise control and fourwheel independent suspension. All this quality content comes at a base price of just $19,900.

BOTTOM LINE: All Hyundai’s have class-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. Do the math. If you’ve got a clunker worth $4,500 to trade, the Sonata GLS four-cylinder becomes a screaming bargain. Chip in a $2,000 manufacturer’s rebate (on remaining 2009 Sonata models) and $1.50 gas for a year (also on 2009s) and it’s a good bet that Sonatas will be fl ying out of dealerships in the next two weeks.

(Send your questions about new cars and trucks to Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com.)