2007 Hyundai Elantra SE

2007 Hyundai Elantra SE 2007 Hyundai Elantra SE
First Drive Review

Introduced last April at the New York International Auto Show, the 2007 Elantra capped Hyundai's "24/7" product blitz, which saw seven new or redesigned models hit the market in just twenty-four months: Tucson, Sonata, Accent, Azera, Santa Fe, Entourage, and Elantra.

In keeping with Hyundai's reputation of offering upper-level content at an entry-level price, the mid-level (base is the $13,995 GLS, top of the line is the $17,295 Limited) $16,295 Elantra SE comes standard with A/C, a CD player, an auxiliary audio input jack for iPods and other MP3 players, heated power mirrors, remote locking, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, sixteen inch alloy wheels, and other assorted bits and pieces.

Big on the Inside

Not only is it well stocked, but the new Elantra is very spacious as well. With more interior room than either the Honda Civic or the Toyota Corolla, the small-car Elantra is actually classified by the EPA as a mid-size car because of its gaping interior space. It's no surprise, then, that front seat room leads the small car segment; and a height adjustable driver's seat and telescoping steering wheel mean even our biggest and tallest found a comfortable driving position. The seats offer better comfort and support than either a Civic or a Corolla as well.