Hyundai Elantra

First Drive: Hyundai ElantraCasting aside its penny-pinching persona, Hyundai has redesigned the elegant Elantra from the ground up for '96, hoping to compete seriously with big-volume subcompact sedans such as the Dodge Neon, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla. Shoppers typically enter Hyundai showrooms looking for a basic transportation appliance to fit their budget, but Hyundai hopes to change that with its new Elantra sedan and wagon, available in base and GLS trim. Our experience with a pair of preproduction models indicates that the automaker has built an effective competitor to challenge the sales giants.

Carrying styling themes established with the Excel-replacement Accent, this new Elantra is wrapped in tasteful sheetmetal bereft of hard edges. A slight nip-and-tuck along the doors, a round smiling "face," a delicately penned rear-door seam, and a low-cut trunklid provide a sleek, functional appearance that takes an evolutionary step forward from its predecessor.

The interior benefits most from the designer's pen, featuring an attractive, driver-friendly environment with a smartly contoured dashboard and comfortable seating. Some of the wilder upholstery patterns are best suited for the young at heart or those with failing vision. Smooth switchgear operation and rich tactile sensations add to the improved quality feel of the Elantra.

The only available engine is an all-new 1.8-liter/130-horsepower DOHC four that shadows the base engines of the competition, as well as most optional powerplants. In a segment known for being rev-happy, the Hyundai-designed "Beta" engine refreshingly produces 90 percent of its maximum torque at 2300 rpm. Despite the readily available power, the preproduction Elantras didn't have quite the verve we expected. Zero-to-60-mph acceleration for the five-speed-manual sedan is an estimated 9.4 seconds, but the somewhat sloppy shifter action had us favoring the 11.3-second automatic.

The new Elantra's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension delivers a compliant ride, easily soaking up road aberrations yet limiting body roll during aggressive cornering. A speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system provides well-balanced control throughout the speed range. Considerable gains also were made by Hyundai engineers in isolating the passenger compartment from noise and vibration.

Consumers now have another choice in the crowded subcompact sedan segment. The Hyundai Elantra in both sedan and wagon forms offers many big-car virtues in an affordable package. Prices range from $10,899 for a base sedan to $14,264 for a well-optioned GLS sedan, undercutting several of Hyundai's import competitors.-Jeff Bartlett