I test drove a Hyundai Sonata SE turbo yesterday.. Not japanese, but Korean, and it was a really nice, impressive ride, and pretty affordable. The 2010 and earlier Sonata's were sub par, but the new one is really nice.
So is the 2011 Kia Optima. Hard to believe, but what those two builders are doing with their cars, it wouldn't hurt to at least take a look at them.
they're the same company. hyundai bought kia over a decade ago iirc