It seems as though it was just a few years ago when Japanese automakers, Honda, Toyota and Nissan started making inroads into previously uncharted territory with their new, upscale brands.

Now the Koreans are taking a page from the Japanese playbook. While Hyundai and Kia are not introducing new nameplates, they are offering their first forays into markets traditionally dominated by non-Asian automakers.

First is the Hyundai Genesis sedan, which is designed to compete with the likes of BMW and Mercedes, along with the Japanese luxury makes. At the same time, in a completely different arena, Kia is rolling out a new body-on-frame type mid-size seven-passenger sports utility vehicle with optional V-8 power and towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds. The Kia Borrego will compete directly with the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet TrailBlazer at a time when the domestic automakers are having trouble finding buyers for those big vehicles.

Elsewhere, Asian automakers have a few new models, the most interesting of which is the long-awaited NissanGT-R supercar. The GT-R is essentially the fifth generation of a car that American buyers have only been able to lust over because Nissan has not exported it to the States until now. Had the fuel crisis started a couple of years earlier, the car may never have appeared in this country at all.

While domestic and European automakers are showing off new vehicles designed with top fuel economy in mind, the Asian brands have little new on the fuel economy front. That's because the Japanese have had a huge lead on other automakers when it comes to fuel-efficient cars.

The entry Acura TSX is a larger, second-generation model with updated exterior styling and a 201-horsepower 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine.

The mid-range TL is a larger, fourth-generation model and has the most powerful sedan engine in Acura's lineup: a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. This powerplant is available in the uplevel TL SH-AWD version that, for the first time, includes Acura's special all-wheel-drive system. That not only shifts power from front to rear wheels when needed, but also from one side of an axle to the other for improved cornering.

Acura's flagship sedan, the RL, has more aggressive styling this year and a more powerful engine: a 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6.

The new RL has a roomier back seat than its predecessor did, and suspension and tires are upgraded.

There's news both big and small at Honda this year.

The brand's largest SUV, the eight-passenger Pilot, is restyled and revamped as a slightly larger, second-generation model for 2009. The Pilot's underlying platform is revised for improved ride and handling, and the SUV is powered by a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6.

At the other end of the size spectrum, Honda's Fit subcompact hatchback is slightly larger inside and out, has improved suspension, and a 120-horsepower, 1.5-liter, fuel-sipping, four-cylinder engine.

Honda also is beginning to lease its hydrogen-powered fuel cell sedan. The aerodynamic, four-door FCX Clarity is the first hydrogen-powered car to go to regular people -- well, some celebrities, too -- as an everyday car, albeit leased, not purchased.

It operates on compressed hydrogen, emits no pollutants from the tailpipe, and travels quietly as hydrogen is used to produce electricity onboard to power the vehicle.

Only 200 FCX Clarity cars are planned for lease over the next three years.

Elsewhere, the Ridgeline pickup truck is freshened inside and out, while the Civic gets front and rear touchups, and the Element is restyled.

South Korean automaker Hyundai is moving upstream this year with its first luxury, rear-wheel-drive sedan.

The 2009 Genesis, with a choice of 375-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 or 290-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6, is positioned to compete with cars from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Japanese brands.

The five-passenger Genesis comes with special suspension dampers that have only been available on luxury brands.

Most notable for shoppers is that the Genesis has Hyundai's 100,000-mile/10-year limited powertrain warranty and starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $33,000.

Meantime, the Elantra adds a Touring model that is -- and looks like -- a European Hyundai.

The five-door, five-passenger wagon is sold in Europe and is powered by a 141-horsepower version of the 2-liter, four-cylinder engine that's in the Elantra sedan already sold here.

In other news, Hyundai freshens the styling of the Sonata for 2009, and boosts horsepower to 175 in the 2.4-liter four cylinder and to 249 in the 3.3-liter V-6.

The luxury brand's FX SUV is a second-generation model now and adds refined styling, more power and more amenities.

Buyers choose a 303-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 in the FX35 or a 390-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 in the FX50. Power from each engine is managed by a new, seven-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and Downshift Rev Matching.

Among the new interior features are hand-stained maple wood, piano black trim and an Around View Monitor system with front, side and rear-mounted cameras to help reduce blind spots.

Also in 2009, the G35 sedan becomes the G37 sedan with the addition of a 328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. A seven-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous five-speed automatic.

Watch for a convertible G37 early in calendar 2009. It will be based on the G37 coupe and come with an automatic power retractable hardtop.

The South Korean automaker weighs in with its first mid-size, seven-passenger, V-8-powered SUV. The 2009 Borrego is built with a ladder-frame structure -- the kind that provides strong towing capacity and rugged off-road durability in truck-based SUVs.

The Borrego's top engine is a 337-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 -- enough to tow 7,500 pounds. This is the first V-8 offered in a Kia in the United States.

The Borrego's base engine is a 3.8-liter V-6 that's also the highest-powered six cylinder in the Kia fleet. It has 276 horsepower.

Borrego's posted pricing starts at $26,995, including destination charge, which makes it the SUV with the highest starting price at Kia.

Also in 2009, the Kia Optima mid-size sedan grows 3 inches longer from bumper to bumper, styling is updated and new features include Optima's first navigation system.

The Optima's base, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is new and cranks out 175 horsepower, while the Optima's 2.7-liter V-6 adds 5 horses, to 190.

Elsewhere, the Sorento and Sportage SUVs are facelifted with new grilles.

Styling of the IS 250 and IS 350 is freshened for 2009, while Lexus prepares a coupe version for debut later in the year.

The Mazda6 sedan grows substantially larger for 2009, with length expanded by 6.1 inches.

Two engines are available: a 2.5-liter four cylinder generating 170 horsepower and a 3.7-liter V-6 with 272 horsepower. The six-speed manual transmission for the 2009 Mazda6 is new.

But note the Mazda6 hatchback is no longer part of the lineup.

Meantime, the flagship RX-8 has new exterior styling and a new trim level -- R3. The R3 includes sport suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and Recaro sport front seats.

Lastly, the Mazda Tribute SUV gets more powerful engines for 2009.

The base engine is a new 2.5-liter, four cylinder with 171 horsepower while the uplevel 3-liter V-6 generates 240 horsepower.

The gasoline-electric hybrid version of Tribute also gets a more powerful engine -- a version of the 2.5-lier four that's in the regular base Tribute.

With basic "all wheel control" and a 237-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder, the Lancer Ralliart fits below the more sophisticated and pricier, 291-horsepower Lancer Evolution sportster.

In other news, the Eclipse coupe and convertible are updated front and rear, and GT versions add 2 horsepower, thanks to a dual exhaust.

Auto enthusiasts already know what's hot at Nissan for 2009. It's the GT-R, a fifth-generation Nissan Skyline coupe that finally comes to the States after four iconic generations in Japan.

As exotic a Japanese car as could be, the GT-R has awesome power from a nearly lag-free 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-6 that generates 480 horsepower. In fact, the zero-to-60-mph time is well under 4 seconds.

Front seats in the GT-R hold riders in place while the suspension, standard all-wheel-drive and the grip of 20-inch performance tires make this car ride like it's on rails.

Alas, the GT-R has the distinction of being the most expensive Nissan ever sold in the States, with a starting price, including destination charge, of $70,850.

And only a couple thousand GT-Rs are planned for sale in this country annually, because demand in Japan and Europe is high, too. So don't be surprised to see some bidding up of the price.

Also for 2009, the Murano SUV is revised as a second-generation model with more power and options. The 3.5-liter V-6 delivers 265 horses now.

Power folding and heated rear seats are a new option along with 9.3-gigabyte music hard drive.

The five-passenger Maxima sedan arrives in 2009 with new styling, a more aggressive stance and improved performance and handling. Power comes from a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 via a continuously variable transmission.

Nissan's Xterra SUV and Frontier are refreshed by new front styling and wheels, while the 370Z coupe is revamped with a more powerful 3.7-liter V-6.

The long-running Forester SUV is revamped, and is larger and restyled to look more like an SUV and less like a wagon. The Forester's chassis and suspension are upgraded and back seat legroom is improved. Power continues to come from two 2.5-liter, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engines: a 170-horsepower naturally aspirated version and a 224-horsepower, turbocharged unit.

The Japanese carmaker adds a mid-size pickup truck. The Suzuki Equator is based on and built alongside the Nissan Frontier, but the hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate are unique to Suzuki.

Available with an extended or crew cab, a choice of two bed lengths, and rear- or four-wheel drive, the Equator is powered by a 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter four cylinder or a 261-horsepower, 4-liter V-6.

Also this year, the Grand Vitara SUV gets two new, more powerful engines: a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four and a 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6.

The SX4 is offered with front-wheel-drive, and the Reno and Forenza are gone from the lineup.

The Venza five-door wagon arrives in 2009. Riding on the platform of the front-wheel-drive, mid-size Camry sedan, the Venza seats five, with cargo room behind the seats.

Two engines are available: a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and a new 2.7-liter four cylinder whose power stats aren't yet released.

Toyota's long-running Corolla is a 10th generation model for 2009 with a wider, longer body and styling that makes it look like a smaller version of the Camry. The Corolla is powered by a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four cylinder or a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four.

The Corolla's hatchback platform twin, the Matrix, also is restyled for 2009 and uses the Corolla engines.

Elsewhere, the RAV4 SUV is mildly restyled and gets a new, 2.5-liter four cylinder, while the five-door Yaris hatchback joins the lineup.

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