Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra, which is now in its' fourth generation, tops the list of all smaller budget sedans. In the early 1990s when Hyundai came on the U.S. automotive market, the Elantra was a budget model car, that wasn't supposed to impress consumers with its looks. It gained its reputation of looking "cheap" very quickly.

In 2007, Hyundai released the fourth generation of the Elantra. This latest generation offers not only a great budget price, an assortment of safety equipment (including front-seat side airbags), a roomy interior, and an adequate engine, but Hyundai also upgraded the look of the exterior that breathes new life to its previous bland appearance. The interiors for this generation are also noted to look much more high-end. With illuminated gauges, quality materials, a variety of storage options, and ample head room, anybody can appreciate taking a trip in this car. While Hyundai has made great strides in its' third and fourth generations of Elantra's, with the improvements in overall quality and reliability, it still remains lower in resale value to comparable models from Toyota or Honda.

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan model is doing fairly well with customers, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating on Edmunds.com. Consumers have noted that they are enjoying the overall appearance of the car, the Bluetooth capabilities, free XM radio (for the first three months), a smooth ride, comfort, and handling. While some wish for a bigger engine as well as a bigger backseat, the general consensus remains positive. With 27 mpg, the Elantra also wins in the fuel economy category, which is something that is obviously a popular selling point with today's gas prices. MSRP for the 2009 Elantra's range from $14,120 for the GLS with manual transmission, to $17,820 for the SE PZEV with automatic transmission, with all the amenities including leather seats with heating/cooling options.

If Hyundai continues to aim towards overall reliability, style and quality inside and out, it's sure to find a place in the Top 5 ranking for generations to come.

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