Hyundai Elantra

In 2006, a redesigned Elantra sedan debuted at the New York Auto Show and went on sale late in the fall. The engine lineup includes 1.6 L Gamma and 2.0 L Beta II gasoline engines, and a 1.6 L turbo diesel engine. Only the 2.0 L engine is offered in North America. All engines feature improved fuel economy over previous versions. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. In North America, the base GLS trim, unlike the previous year’s, does not include air conditioning as standard equipment, but adds side curtain airbags, active head restraints and all-disc brakes with 4-channel ABS. The Elantra also offers the most interior room in its class, leading the US EPA to classify it as a mid-size car. The GT trim is not available in the 2007 model. Hyundai has announced plans to offer a sportier trim in the North America as a 2009 model. This model would be based on the European-designed Hyundai i30 and thus be quite different from the sedan. The Elantra Touring 5-door debuted at the 2008 Montreal International Auto Show. The i30 has a slightly wider, taller body and longer wheelbase. Plans include a sport-tuned suspension, better steering response and more standard features, including stability control, traction control and a USB / MP3 stereo with standard XM Satellite Radio capability. For 2008, the Limited trim level was dropped, leaving GLS and SE as the two remaining trim choices. The SE trim includes features not available on the GLS, such as telescopic steering wheel and electronic stability control, with sunroof and leather as options.