Hyundai Elantra

Put your preconceptions aside - the Hyundai Elantra is rather good. There's a roomy saloon or a practical hatch to choose from, and if you go for the 2.0 CDX you get gadgets such as cruise control, ABS, climate control, alloys and leather. Even the entry-level 1.6 Si comes with side airbags - and all for very little money compared to European rivals.
There's a choice of 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines, plus a 2.0-litre turbodiesel - all of which are lively yet frugal. What's more, Hyundai has gained a reputation for reliability, so there should be no problems. While the Elantra won't earn you points for its image, you will appreciate the economics - not only when buying, but also during ownership, as servicing is pretty cheap, too.
Be careful not to pay too much for a used model, because it's a depreciation disaster. The only way to minimise the hit you'll take when selling is to pay as little as you can in the first place. It helps to buy the right engine with the best spec; namely the 2.0 TD CDX.
Checklist
* Electrics: it's still very new, but minor electrical problems are not unknown - particularly the usual items like driver's window mechanisms and instrument controls.
* Clutches: we've heard reports of clutches failing after only 20,000 miles, so check that there isn't excessive travel in the pedal, or difficulty in selecting gears.
* Engine: no problems so far, but bear in mind that the timing belts need changing every five years/50,000 miles on petrol cars (£400 including service), and every seven years/70,000 miles on the diesel.
* Bodywork: the quality of the paint finish seems to be a problem on some cars. Specifically, it appears to flake off, so be wary of any examples that have odd patches.
* Door handles: the handles are made of brittle plastic and seem to break easily, so go around the car checking they are all intact. Even hairline cracks may be a concern.
Driving impressions
Owners find the Elantra easy to drive, with direct controls and precise steering. Handling and grip aren't bad, but the ride is slightly restless and road noise on irregular surfaces can be tiring. The petrol engines are fine, but lack mid-range punch, whereas the torquey TD is much better and comes into its own higher up in the rev range.
Glass's View
The Elantra hasn't really made a name for itself on the used market, but it does represent good value for money. The attractive five-year warranty should make the car more desirable. Used versions remain somewhat limited due to low sales of new examples. Depreciation is relatively heavy during the first couple of years, but no worse than cars from other Korean manufacturers. CDX models are favoured for their better specification levels over the GSi and Si versions. Jeff Paterson, senior editor, Glass's Guide
Life With An Elantra
My Elantra isn't particularly exciting, but I didn't want anything sporty - I just wanted a car that's practical, easy to live with and undemanding on my bank balance. It's the most sensible vehicle I've ever owned. Mark Dowling, Epping, Essex
I've covered 40,000 miles in my Elantra without a hiccup. I was looking at Golfs, but couldn't justify the extra money. It's got all the extras you could want. Yannic Pestrovsky, Newark, Notts

Verdict

Hyundai pitches its Elantra firmly against the Peugeot 406 and Toyota Avensis. As such, it faces some formidable rivals, and needs excellence on its side to succeed. Certainly, it is a bigger car than the old Lantra, and it offers a hatchback in place of the previous estate, as well as a saloon. However, it still feels tight on space in the rear compared with much of the competition, although the firm seats do provide a surprising amount of comfort.