2008 Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra is a compact sedan by Korean automaker Hyundai, aimed at the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Now in its fourth generation, the Elantra received a complete redesign for the 2007 model year.

The new Elantra is wider and taller than its predecessor. Increasing the height 2.2 inches and moving the driver's seating position up 1.8 inches opened up the cabin for more room and flexibility. Two inches of added width deliver more front and rear shoulder room as well.

Hyundai's 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine powers Elantra. This sophisticated 16-valve powerplant employs an aluminum cylinder head that features dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT). The combination helps give the engine a very broad power spread, coupled with high fuel efficiency and low emissions.

The ULEV variation is rated at an estimated 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. SULEV engines are available only with a four-speed automatic transmission, and are rated at an estimated 132 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 133 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm.

The Elantra comes standard with a five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic with a new gated console-mounted floor shifter is available as an option and includes an overdrive lock-up torque converter for higher fuel economy at freeway speeds.

All Elantra models have six standard airbags, including two front airbags, two front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and two side curtain airbags protecting front- and rear-seat passengers.

Elantra's standard front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash during rear collisions by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant's head and the head restraint during a rear collision.

The Elantra is available in two distinctive trim levels - GLS and SE.

Elantra GLS

Standard features include: ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, power heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry with alarm and trunk release, variable intermittent windshield wipers, multiple storage areas, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, tachometer, tinted windows, two 12V outlets and tilt steering wheel.

The "Popular Equipment" package adds air conditioning, a 172-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters and in-glass antenna, windshield shade band, fog lights, cruise control, and dual front illuminated vanity mirrors with sunvisor extensions. A power sunroof is also an available option.

Elantra SE

The sport-oriented SE adds all the equipment in the GLS Popular Equipment package plus Electronic Stability Control and Brake Assist, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather shift knob, telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls and trip computer.

The SE "Premium" package adds a power sunroof and heated front seats. The SE "Premium + Leather" package includes everything in the Premium Package plus leather seating surfaces. In addition to the available gray two-tone, the SE is also available in a sporty monotone black interior.