Compact sedans like the Elantra and Corolla mostly form the role of commuter cars in American households, and they’re spacious enough to be family vehicles for those with smaller kids or pets to put in the back seat.
If your budget is tight, the 2020 Toyota Corolla and 2020 Hyundai Elantra are two of the best values on the market. They both have low prices and relatively low ownership costs, yet they offer a lot of features and a decent amount of comfort, plus much better gas mileage versus taller crossovers.