2001 Hyundai Elantra

Everyone who is absolutely certain how to pronounce “Hyundai,” raise your hand. Thought so. Despite being a player on the American automotive scene for about 15 years now, the Korean carmaker still suffers what I refer to as It’s-a-what? Syndrome. That’s attributable partly to the hard-to-pronounce name (“hun-day” is correct) and partly to a less-than-stellar reputation for satisfaction and quality. I’ve had my own run-ins with those very things. Hyundai has set out to change that reputation, however. Realizing that just being inexpensive doesn’t cut it in the market where Honda and Toyota set fine examples, Hyundai is cleaning up its act. Just ask anyone who has driven the 2001 Elantra, a largely redesigned, amazingly polished compact sedan.

The Good News
The best news is the Elantra’s price isn’t based on what you get. It comes only in one trim level called GLS, which includes everything from air conditioning, power accessories, tilt steering column, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, rear defrost, am/fm/stereo cassette to dual front and side airbags and a host of other extras you wouldn’t expect at this price.

The base sticker also covers a 2.0-liter twin cam, 16-valve 140-horse engine, power rack-and-pinion steering, independent suspension and manual transmission. Plus, its warranty is one of the better ones out there.

Add freight and handling to the rest, and the Elantra comes to (drumroll, please) $12,499. Now, that won’t startle anyone familiar with Hyundai’s historically low pricing. What does startle those of us familiar with the cars is how much more sound and – dare I say it? – sophisticated this new Elantra is for that price.

For starters, it’s a really pretty car, an adjective that hardly applied to its bland predecessors. It sits on a longer wheelbase, giving passengers more interior room all around. The front seats are also larger (what about the American public inspired that, I wonder?), and the interior is pleasant.

Where Hyundai has obviously concentrated a lot of its effort is in diminishing noise and vibration. These things have a huge impact on how refined a car feels, Honda being a great example.

The Elantra shows great strides in this regard. Its rough edges have been appropriately smoothed out so the driver/passenger experience eases considerably, and the car comes off as much more substantial.

In short, it certainly doesn’t feel like a $12,000 car. Instead, the Elantra comes off as a nice compact sedan for which you’d expect to pay much more.

The Bad News
You’ll have to endure the It’s-a-what? Syndrome.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 25 mpg city/33 highway.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $12,499;
As tested (with floor mats and mud guards) $12,637

Is it worth it?
If you want automatic transmission, antilock brakes, remote keyless entry, four-wheel disc brakes and/or traction control, you pay extra on this Elantra. Load all this on and you can pay almost $15,000. Note that I said “almost.”

I’m not ready to declare the Hyundai Elantra the greatest compact sedan out there. Its levels of refinement still don’t reach those of its successful Japanese competitors, and it’s not as stylish or as much fun to drive as a Civic.

But this 2001 model improves its standards so much while holding well under competitors’ prices, it definitely deserves attention.

If the Elantra indicates the Korean carmaker’s direction for the future, I predict America’s difficulty in pronouncing “Hyundai” will no longer be an issue.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.