2001 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Elantra 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sedan Sedan Sedan FWD Korea Bigger inside and out, the redesigned 2001 Elantra boasts stylish sheetmetal, a refined 140-horsepower engine and improved NVH characteristics. Poised to tackle the best in the class, the Elantra comes well equipped for less than $13,000. Though the useful station wagon model has been stricken from the lineup, a five-door hatchback is set to debut later this year. Solidly built, powerful engine for its class, plenty of standard features. Funky interior smell, wagon no longer available. Already a winner to our editors, the amazingly competent Elantra gets a complete overhaul for 2001, adding interior space and exterior size, along with a full load of standard equipment, without a substantial boost in the price. Stickering for less than $13,000 and sold in a single trim level with a handful of options, the new, more refined Elantra is set to compete head to head with the best in the compact sedan class, beating everyone on price if not overall quality. Elantra's 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter DOHC engine provides decent acceleration, suffering a bit in terms of performance due to Elantra's weight gain of 300 pounds over last year. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional, and features fuzzy-logic software to optimize shifting and hold a gear on hills, but we'd go with the less expensive manual transmission to extract maximum acceleration. A four-wheel independent suspension, multi-link with an antiroll bar at the rear, makes for smooth, stable handling, while the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system communicates improved road feel to the driver for 2001. Four-wheel disc ABS is optional, as is traction control. Inside the Elantra, consumers will find a roomy cabin with supportive, comfortable seats front and rear. Extensive use of sound-deadening materials helps quiet this formerly buzzy compact car. Equipment levels are impressive, with power windows/locks/mirrors, side airbags, air conditioning, a cassette player and 15-inch wheels standard. Options, aside from the ABS and traction control previously mentioned, are limited to a power moonroof, CD player, cruise control and a smattering of port- and dealer-installed goodies. Later this year, Hyundai will introduce the Elantra GT. Configured as a five-door hatchback, the GT is designed to appeal to those who may have purchased the discontinued station wagon model, as well as buyers who desire the utility of a hatchback configuration. The GT gets rear disc brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, alloy wheels, and a host of other standard items for a premium of about $1,000 over the sedan. Elantra also comes with an outstanding warranty. Called the Hyundai Advantage, this buyer-assurance program is a great incentive to buy a Hyundai over one of the many other compact choices on the market. Consumers receive an awesome 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If the car is sold within those first 10 years, the new owner will still be entitled to the balance of a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Also part of the program is five-year/100,000-mile corrosion coverage and a limited bumper-to-bumper warranty for five years or 60,000 miles. Additionally, the program offers free 24-hour roadside assistance for five years, which includes towing and lockout service. Attractive, well equipped, and backed up by one of the most extensive warranties in America, Hyundai has a winner in the upgraded and redesigned Elantra. Though it likely won't match the refinement or attention to detail found in segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus, the savings to be found up front will certainly sway buyers for whom every penny spent up front counts. Chevrolet Cavalier Dodge Neon Ford Focus Nissan Altima 560,000 10100,000 5Unlimited 5100,000 NA NA NA 4 2 liters Inline 140 hp @ 6000 rpm 133 ft-lbs. @ 4800 rpm 177 in. 67.7 in. 56.1 in. 2635 lbs. 102.7 in. 39.6 in. 38 in. 54.7 in. 53.5 in. 53 in. 55.6 in. 43.2 in. 35 in. 11 cu.ft. Optional Standard Not Available Optional Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Very Good Rating = Good Very Good Average Acceptable Not Tested 14.5 gal. 25 mpg / 33 mpg 24 mpg / 33 mpg 363 mi. / 479 mi. 348 mi. / 479 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $11,504 $12,499 7.35% $435 N/A 2% of the Total Invoice GLS SEDAN (5M): 2L I4 DOHC MPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 75-amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.84 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine-speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes; 14.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors;15" x 5.5" steel wheels, P195/60HR15 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; power door locks, child-safety rear door locks,remote trunk release, remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, lumbar support, front passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpetfloor covering; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, door curb lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and front passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles. -- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic $732 $800 1AA Package 1 $0 $0 2AB Package 2 $344 $400 3AC Package 3 $633 $750 4AD Package 4 $1,174 $1,400 5AE Package 5 $1,046 $1,150 CA California Emissions $94 $100 CF Carpeted Floor Mats $44 $78 CN Trunk Cargo Net $23 $38 MG Mud Guards $38 $60 WD Sunroof Wind Deflector $35 $62