So you’ve decided that you want a compact car. You already know about the Honda Civic, the Mazda 3, and the Toyota Corolla, but you’ll do yourself a disservice if you don’t consider the Hyundai Elantra. On most levels, it meets or exceeds everything offered by the other cars listed previously, and does it for a lower price with a longer warranty.

To begin with, this compact sedan has more room than any of its competitors, so much so that the EPA considers it to be a mid-sized car – not a compact – although it’s priced and sold as a compact. All you have to do is look in the back seat and you’ll easily see the difference. Edmonds, a well known and respected car review organization not known for hyperbole, says the Elantra can easily accommodate normal sized adults in the backseat. Try that with most other compacts – especially the Elantra’s closest competitors, all of whom have a reputation for being uncomfortable for taller people.

On paper, the engine is nothing to write home about, being a standard 4 cylinder 2 liter. On the road, on the other hand, it’s responsive and fuel efficient. At 138 horsepower, the engine may seem a little small, but every horse pulls its weight. There’s no drag and the Elantra gets up to speed surprisingly well.

The base GLS options include 15 inch steel wheels, power doors/windows/locks, keyless entry, folding rear seat and a tilt steering wheel. The popular equipment package adds air conditioning, fog lights, cruise control, illuminated vanity mirrors and a sound system boasting 6 stereo speakers with a CD/MP3 player, USB port, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. Next up, the SE package includes all these options plus 16 inch alloy wheels, a telescoping steering column and leather wrapped steering wheel with built in audio controls. Finally, the SE premium package adds a sunroof and heated front seats.

Regardless of the package selected, each Elantra has standard anti-lock disc brakes, active front heads restraints, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags. The SE package adds stability and traction control and brake assist. With all these elements in mind, the Elantra scored 5 out of 5 starts in front impact crash testing, and, in side impact crashes, a respectable 4 out of 5 stars.

Considering the fact that the Elantra is marketed as an economy car, you still get a pretty nice interior. There are some plastic bits, but otherwise, the car is put together nicely. For example, the wood grain on the dash and the lighting would look right at home in an Acura. In addition, most drivers remark on the generous head and leg room in both the front and rear seats – a novel surprise in an economy compact.

If you’re in the market for a compact car, the responsive engine, nice handling, roomy interior and attractive options make the Elantra a jewel just waiting to be discovered by the savvy car buyer.