2012 Hyundai Elantra

Heated Rear Seats
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan's standard heated rear seats are a feature you won't find on any other car in this segment. In fact, you won't even find them in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.

Navigation Package
It's true that, with the onslaught of smart phones, having a navigation system in your car is less of a priority, but Hyundai integrates the 7-inch screen so well into the Elantra's instrument panel (and includes a rearview camera) that we would spend the extra money to get the optional package.

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan's interior is beautifully styled, but suffers from somewhat low-end plastics on the doors and switches. The instrument cluster and center console's elegant design have the look and feel of a much more expensive sedan, with user-friendly controls backlit by attractive blue lights. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan's optional navigation system is one of the best factory units we've seen in this segment, with intuitive controls and voice activation, plus a rear backup camera. The Elantra sedan's cabin is impressively roomy; with 43.6 inches of legroom up front and 33.1 inches in the rear, it has more total interior volume than a Volkswagen CC or Nissan Maxima. However, the volume story doesn't extend in all directions and, due to the 2011 Elantra sedan's sharply-raked rear window and C-pillars, taller rear-seat passengers may find themselves wanting more head room. Trunk space is larger than with most competitors (bested only by the Chevrolet Cruze) and 60/40 split-folding rear seats make it easy to transport bulky items.

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan is awash in flowing, fluid lines, deeply-sculptured wheel arches and side body panels, and an aggressive grille and headlamp treatment. The base GLS trim is equipped with 15-inch wheel covers, but 16-inch alloys are available. If you have the extra cash, go with the upgrade. The 16-inch wheels not only improve the Elantra's appearance, they help enhance its handling as well. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited features stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals, front fog lamps and a power glass sunroof.

The only engine offered in the 2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. It can be matched with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with Shiftronic for those drivers who want to shift their own gears on occasion. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra's 4-cylinder engine is also available as a PZEV (partial zero emissions vehicle) variant. Although it has slightly less horsepower (145 vs. 148), the Elantra's PZEV engine is as clean-burning as some hybrid vehicles.

1.8-liter in-line 4
148 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
131 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/40

A base 2011 Hyundai Elantra has a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) around $17,000, but opting for the automatic transmission adds about $1,000. The higher Limited trim level starts around $21,000 and tops just under $24,000 when fully loaded. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra sedan typically costs about $1,000 less than similar editions of the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic; before making your purchase, you'll want to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for the Elantra sedan. As for resale value, we expect the 2012 Hyundai Elantra to hold its value exceedingly well over a 5-year period, better than the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus.

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