The Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback is the enthusiastic companion piece to the heavily sculpted sedan.
It's not as pert in the handling department when it comes to rivals like the Mazda 3, Ford Focus, and VW Golf, but it's more than a match for other competitors.
The left-brained Volkswagen Golf is an excellent choice in this niche, whether you choose a GTI or a base turbo-4.
It's sturdy, has an excellent ride/handling balance, and lots of adult-sized space.
The Ford Focus and Mazda3 are the current class leaders when it comes to engaging driving feel, either as sedans or hatchbacks.
The Mazda may have slightly better steering feel, while the Focus leads on infotainment features and outright power, particularly with the new 247-hp ST.
Finally there's the Subaru Impreza, a versatile hatchback or sedan with standard all-wheel drive and fine road manners, albeit with a standard CVT that hones off some of the driving edge.
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 2016 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Kia SoulBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2016 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Not quite a hot hatch, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT gives up some rear-seat space in the name of cargo room and European style. |
From efficiency-minded models to the high-performance ST, the 2016 Ford Focus remains one of the best-driving small cars on the market. |
The affordable, practical 2016 Kia Soul has a boxy style that fits right into urban environments, yet fits a lot inside. |
The 2016 Mazda 3 is one of the best-driving and best-looking small cars, with a more premium feel than its (now even lower) price might suggest. |
The 2016 Subaru Impreza is the compact car to choose when you require all-wheel drive for year-round traction but don't want or need the gas-mileage hit that comes with boxy SUVs and rugged trail ability. |
Between base, e-Golf electric, and high-performance GTI and Golf R versions, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf lineup doesn't forget about the space-and-versatility fundamentals of hatchback—or SportWagen—ownership. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $17,250 | $17,225 | $15,900 | $17,845 | $18,295 | $18,495 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 24 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 45 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Midsize Cars | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual SE (Alabama Plant) | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door Wagon Manual Base | 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport | 4-Door Manual 2.0i | 2-Door HB Manual TSI |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2016 Ford Focus | 2016 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2016 Kia Soul | 2016 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 | 2016 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2016 Subaru Impreza | 2016 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2016 Volkswagen Golf | |
