2009 Hyundai Elantra

March 2009. The 2009 Hyundai Elantra sedan has compact-car dimensions, but its combined interior space and trunk volume put it into the Environmental Protection Agency's midsize class. Reviewers praise the roomy cabin and useful cargo area, and say the Hyundai Elantra feels well built, with a smooth, comfortable ride and competent handling. Acceleration is leisurely, however, and the 138-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine can be a bit coarse and noisy at high revs, critics say. On the other hand, it provides commendable fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 24-25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. One test vehicle averaged 26.8 mpg in real-life mixed driving. The Hyundai Elantra gets high marks for overall value and has a good list of standard equipment. All models include six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, front-seat active head restraints, remote keyless entry and more. The Hyundai Elantra SE sedan adds an electronic stability control system. A five-speed manual is standard and a four-speed automatic transmission is optional. An all-new Hyundai Elantra Touring station wagon (*est. $17,800 to $18,600) joins the model line in 2009.

Reviewers are impressed with Hyundai's predicted reliability, five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Those rank among the longest warranties in the industry. Aggressive pricing undercuts most competitors, such as the more refined 2009 Honda Civic (*est. $15,305 to $25,190) and 2009 Toyota Corolla (*est. $15,350 to $18,860). The 2009 Nissan Versa (*est. $9,990 to $16,330) is suggested as being more competitive on price and offering a roomy interior. From Hyundai's sister company, the similar 2009 Kia Spectra (*est. $13,550 to $16,450) is recommended as a better value, although it includes less standard equipment.

The most comprehensive review of the Hyundai Elantra sedan comes from Consumer Reports, which covers valuable reliability and ownership information along with its road-test evaluation. ConsumerGuide.com rates the 2009 Hyundai Elantra as Recommended, and gives a review divided into categories. TheTruthAboutCars.com compares the Elantra with its counterpart, the Kia Spectra, from Hyundai's sister brand. Kelley Blue Book gives a general review along with details on projected resale value. CarGurus.com and Cars.com each have a general review of the Hyundai Elantra with lists of pros and cons.