Hyundai Elantra

Angular Front Exterior View - 2010 Hyundai Elantra 4-door Sedan Auto GLS PZEV

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Shopping for a 2012 Hyundai Elantra? MSRP: $15,195 - $20,445

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Hyundai’s Elantra and Elantra Touring (the wagon version of the Elantra) have been available in the U.S. since 1992, offering a competent compact sedan or wagon package for a bargain price. Over the four generations of the car’s development, it has grown slightly in size and hugely in recognition, earning top picks and awards in its latest iteration, against competition like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. Base prices between $14,000 (sedan) and $16,000 (wagon) make the Elantra and Elantra Touring some of the most affordable in their class.

The first two generations of the car, which covered the period from 1992 to 2000, were, like most Hyundais of the era, minimalist, often cheaply built, economy cars. Since 2000, however, the Elantra and Elantra Touring have made strides toward mainstream levels of equipment and quality, including standard front and side airbags, power locks, air conditioning, and power windows. Redesigned again in 2007, the latest Elantra and Elantra Touring offer even more room, more powerful and efficient engines, and standard safety features like electronic stability control, brake assist, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, and all-disc anti-lock brakes.

The current model range offers just three trims, with the Limited trim available from 2001 to 2006 cut from the lineup. The current GSL and SE trims are complemented by the Blue, a special fuel-efficiency-focused version of the sedan available only with a five-speed manual transmission. The Elantra Touring is only available in GLS and SE trims.

The GLS is the entry-level model, featuring a standard four-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and 15-inch steel wheels. The SE upgrades to standard 16-inch alloy and available 17-inch alloy wheels, standard telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, heated front seats, a sport-tuned suspension, plus standard stability control and traction control. Both the GLS and SE can choose an optional power sunroof as well. Whether you choose the GLS or SE, wagon or sedan, the same 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powers the range. Fuel efficiency for the sedan is rated by the EPA at 26/35 mpg for the Elantra Blue, 26/34 mpg for the Elantra sedan, and at 23/31 mpg for the manual Elantra Touring or 23/30 mpg for the automatic.

The Elantra and Elantra Touring are expected to carry forward their current feature set with only minor updates for 2011. The 2010 Hyundai Elantra made Consumer Reports’ Top Picks list this year, thanks largely to its strong 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty and excellent fuel economy in addition to solid build quality and low price.