2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. Its Competition

2012 Hyundai Elantra 4-door Sedan Auto GLS (Alabama Plant) Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 8.2 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Dec 9, 2011

We're in a new golden age of compact cars, and nothing says it more succinctly than pointing out how good the Elantra is compared to today's Honda Civic.

The Elantra's imaginative and a leader in economy--while the new Civic suffers from a cheapened interior and a stark lack of imagination in design.

The new leaders in the class include the Elantra and the latest Ford Focus, TheCarConnection's Best Car To Buy 2012, for its sleek design and its crisp handling and its MyFord Touch next-gen infotainment controls.

We also strongly recommend both the Chevy Cruze for its refinement and fuel economy, and the Mazda3 for its road manners and 40-mpg highway rating.

Even Kia's Forte eclipses the old standards with a spacious interior and lots of standard features, not to mention a handsomely Euro-influenced design.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chevrolet Cruze Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Focus Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda Civic Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Kia Forte Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.2 The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has officially left the Civic and Corolla in the dust, thanks to a 38-mpg gas mileage rating, a sleek look, and tremendous value for the money.	8 The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a practical, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and a strong value, but it does lack the nimble, tossable feel that some small-car fans appreciate.	8.8 With the 2012 Focus, Ford shows that small cars don't have to feel so banal, with charismatic compacts that are more satisfying to drive, more luxurious, and better-equipped.	7 The 2012 Honda Civic is a little more spacious, comfortable, and economical, but it's now one of the blandest of the bunch.	7.4 The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest.	8.2 With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one.
MSRP From
$15,345	$16,800	$16,500	$15,955	$15,200	$15,200
Gas Mileage
28 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	25 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy	26 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
Midsize cars	Midsize Car	Compact	Compact Cars	Compact Cars	Compact
Style Name
4dr Sedan Man GLS (Alabama Plant)	4dr Sedan LS	4dr Sedan S	4dr Man DX	4dr Sedan Man LX	4dr Sedan Man i SV
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
4	4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual