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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.
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 2012 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet CruzeBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Kia ForteBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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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. |
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. |
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. |
The 2012 Honda Civic is a little more spacious, comfortable, and economical, but it's now one of the blandest of the bunch. |
The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest. |
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 | $15,755 | $15,200 | $15,200 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 44 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 | Compact Cars | Compact |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS (Alabama Plant) | 4-Door Sedan LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 2-Door Manual DX | 4-Door Sedan Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual 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 | 2 Door Coupe | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze | 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Ford Focus | 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Honda Civic | 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Kia Forte | 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 | |
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