It seems Hyundai got the message and has transformed itself in recent years. Last year they upped horsepower in the Elantra, improved the exterior styling, and gave it a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty (all Hyundais sold in America now come with this warranty). Feature content has also been addressed in recent years and the Elantra, despite being the least expensive vehicle in this test, still scored a respectable 83.3 percent in the feature category. For $13,724 our car was equipped with air conditioning, a CD player, cruise control, power door locks, power mirrors, power windows, rear disc brakes, a seat height adjustment, a tilt steering wheel and even a rear spoiler. We would have appreciated remote keyless entry, antilock brakes and side airbags, but at this price we're not going to complain.

Even more surprising was where this car placed in terms of performance. With its 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission, the Elantra scored second place in our zero-to-60 acceleration tests. The engine can get noisy at higher rpm, but cabin isolation is sufficient and little, if any, drivetrain vibration gets through to the driver. Low gearing helped the Hyundai with off-the-line performance but left drivers searching for an additional gear at highway speeds to keep the engine from revving so high. Shifter throws were a bit long, yet a positive feel when going into each gear kept testers happy. A couple of drivers felt that the clutch was worn out, as it came too far off of the floor before engaging.

Unlike the Cavalier, Hyundai's Elantra offers more than just straight-line thrills. Throw the car into a corner, allow it to take a set, and it will remain planted and confident so long as no mid-corner bumps upset the chassis. Reduced body roll, improved suspension tuning, and better tires would further improve the car's fun-to-drive quotient, but as equipped it still managed the third fastest time in our slalom test. Braking from 60 mph took 145 feet without the aid of ABS (though it is an option). Like the suspension and steering systems, the Elantra's brakes were rated high by drivers who felt they were easy to modulate and showed no signs of fading.

Stepping inside the Elantra we found the seats, door panels and headliner swathed in a rather detestable and cheap-feeling purple cloth with a bizarre "raindrop" pattern. Aside from this questionable styling issue, the interior scored high points in terms of ergonomics and comfort. Thigh and back support was sufficient with plenty of room for legs, shoulders and elbows. One of only two cars in the test with an adjustable driver's lumbar support (Civic also had this), the Hyundai was full of surprises.

A large tach and speedometer, logical switchgear locations and easy to use climate controls boosted the Hyundai's overall evaluation score. Minor gripes about door-mounted tweeters that looked tacked-on and a flimsy cupholder shelf that took forever to deploy couldn't mar an otherwise excellent interior design. Several staffers did complain about an unpleasant odor and warning chimes that were highly annoying, but everyone agreed that the Elantra offered a pleasant, if somewhat off-color, place to spend the day.

Exterior design and overall build quality also met or exceeded our editors' expectations. The Hyundai was easily the most "swoopy" car in the test, but its curves, rear spoiler, "Mystic Teal" paint and five-spoke wheels worked together to give the car a sporty look that didn't offend most staff members. A few body panel gap variances, a misaligned rear bumper fascia and a broken gas gauge conspired to keep the car from a perfect score in the "fit and finish" department.

Are we impressed by what Hyundai has to offer the economy sedan buyer? Definitely. Remember, less than one percentage point separated our second, third, and fourth place finishers, meaning it could statistically be called a three-way tie for second place. Just for fun, we crunched the numbers for the Elantra without the $395 spoiler. Result? It would have officially taken second place. In a market as competitive as economy sedans, that's not a bad place to be. We'd like to see some tweaks in the areas of suspension tuning, tire quality and steering feel. And a reduction in wind, road and engine noise, especially at highway speeds, would also improve the Elantra's overall score.

Still, this was the cheapest car in the test and thus had an automatic advantage in our value category. Thankfully, price isn't the only thing this Hyundai has going for it. All the key ingredients are here: performance, feature content, ergonomics, a top-notch warranty...with some minor improvements this could be the best economy sedan in America. As it stands, it's just a damn good one.

Editor Comments

Naw, this is a Hyundai? Wow. Elantra has a spunky powertrain, good brakes and responsive steering. This sure isn't the Hyundai I remember. I liked the clean interior look and feel with bucket seats that provided great lumbar and thigh support. After a spin through the test loop, I didn't feel like I had been put on a torture rack, but rather through a therapeutic massage. Hyundai still has to address some build quality issues, like a misaligned hood and deck lid and a rattly driver's door panel. But, for the first time, I'd have no regrets recommending a Hyundai to a friend. -- Scott Mead

Surprise! This car is actually good! The crappy Hyundais of yore tarnished my preconceived notions, but here's a car with a lot to offer. The engine's healthy, the interior is generally functional, and it comes with a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. With more attention paid to detail, the Elantra would be a true contender for first place. -- Brent Romans

This was actually a fun car to drive. It was really zippy with great acceleration and a suspension system that made it feel pretty sporty. My biggest gripe is with the ergonomics, specifically the shifter placement that makes you have to throw your arm around to swap gears. It tries too hard to look good, kind of like those guys you see at the clubs with too much cologne and tight shirts. But I must admit that I kind of like the purple interior, even though it appalls everyone else. -- Liz Kim

It would be easy to write that by adding content and refinement without raising the price, Hyundai would likely land in the winner's circle in this test. But, you don't get something for nothing, and added features and improved sound deadening would ultimately lessen the Elantra's value. This is not a class-leading car, as our broken fuel gauge attests, but in my opinion, if offers the most for the least, despite NVH poster-child status. Roomy, attractive, fun to drive and backed by one of the best warranties available in the world, Elantra is surprisingly satisfying. -- Christian Wardlaw

Specifications and Performance - 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Stereo Evaluation - 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Rear Seat/Cargo Area Evaluation - 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS