Comparison: Best-Selling Compact Sedans

[TJPark01]

Comparison: Best-Selling Compact Sedans
Mass Appeal: Civic vs Corolla vs Cruze vs Elantra vs Focus vs Jetta vs Mazda3 vs Forte
From the July, 2011 issue of Motor Trend

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1st Place: HYUNDAI ELANTRA

When MC Guru (RIP) and DJ Premier came together in 1994 to produce "Mass Appeal," the seminal, bass-backed discourse on the evils of trading authenticity for popularity (also known as selling out), they most certainly were not explaining how to build America's best C-segment sedan.

Yet the song's theme matches the Hyundai Elantra's secret to success: Keepin' it real. In this case, really stylish, authentically sophisticated, and content rich. Check it out: The Elantra achieved no distinction on our spec charts; it was not the fastest nor the lightest, not the cheapest nor best at the pump. Yet when it came time for our judges to discuss which vehicle should finish on top, the capable and charismatic Elantra was always in the mix without diesel-ringer rancor or anti-Civic animosity.

"Wow, Hyundai's done a great job here. The Elantra's styling is a welcome addition to the copy/paste mindset," said Lago. Others found the atomic guppy styling modern and fresh, if busier than the staid Civic, leering Mazda3, and starched-collar Jetta. Inside, however, the Elantra was king. "I hate tan interiors, and I was still impressed with this. This cheap Hyundai is better inside than some Lexuses," noted Febbo.

When it came to ride quality, Elantra marries the lightness of the Japanese sedans with the big-car comfort of Jetta and Cruze."The Elantra's ride is easily the most comfortable of the bunch: smooth, quiet, and well-controlled. If I had to drive one of these cars from San Francisco to Los Angeles, this would be my hands-down choice," said Jurnecka.

Sure, there were complaints, primarily about an EPA-certified 29/40-mpg fuel economy number that we did not come close to replicating. Among the gas burners, the Elantra's 25.9 mpg in mixed driving was solidly midpack. Our crew also wished for a bit more crispness in the handling dynamics and steering.

 

[homeofstone]

I first thought "wow Hyundai has done it again" but then if you think about it it should be of no surprise. Hyundai at this moment in time has great management, and a vision of where they want to be now and in the next few years. I think Ford is doing a very good job also. Honda management seems to be sitting on their hands.

 

[Tin]

Honda is just sitting there watching their competition out grow them. I used to be a Honda fan, we used to have all Honda in the family. I never thought about owning a Hyundai, but as I look more into, Honda had been lagging so much, I thought they might realize it this last couple of years, but with the all new Civic that came out, it seems like they just slap everything together and call it a day. Looking foward for another Hyundai.

 

[TJPark01]

I think that the it maybe a cultural thing in Japan. The big 3 Japanese have dominated this segment, and thrived in the "if it aint broke..."
The problem with that thinking is that Americans, Koreans and even the Germans have gotten a lot stronger in the compact sedan space, while the Japanese have remained static. Honda as an example, just look at the "new" Civic. It looks like a midcycle refresh. The Corolla, a 4 speed auto, are they serious, this car looks like it's from 1995. The Nissan Sentra is so outdated that they didn't even bother putting it in the comparison test.

 

[Ruissimo]

TJ,

I agree with most of what you said - I would just venture to say that the Americans and Koreans (Ford and Hyundai, mainly) have made strides in ALL the segments, not just the compacts, and Honda/Toyota are just not going to recover those golden years - they've fallen behind, and in this industry, falling behind can have decades-long consequences (3rd Generation Ford Taurus, anyone?)

The Civic looks like a product that's aged about 15 years, and that is actually probably true - how many changes have they REALLY made in that car? Same with Toyota and the Corolla.

I really like the Elantra - there are two in my work parking lot - and I found myself admiring the rear and interior of that car. That review said it best... the Elantra makes you downgrade to a compact... much less painful. It's true!

 

[YEH]

The Elantra also bested the Civic and Cruze in Inside Line's compact shoot-out.

The Focus wasn't included b/c Ford stated that they didn't have one available (IL will pit the Elantra against the Focus when they get one from Ford).

http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/e...-vs-2011-hyundai-elantra-comparison-test.html

 

[TJPark01]

The Elantra also bested the Civic and Cruze in Inside Line's compact shoot-out.

The Focus wasn't included b/c Ford stated that they didn't have one available (IL will pit the Elantra against the Focus when they get one from Ford).

http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/e...-vs-2011-hyundai-elantra-comparison-test.html

The Japanese cars are still reliable and have a dedicated following. The problem is that they are so damn boring. People who don't care about cars will simply look at a Corolla or Civic because that's what they know. Those cars have earned their reputation.
But in this world if you sit around and just expect things to go your way, you get marginalized. Japan has been mired in a zero growth stagnant economic situation for the past 20 years. It's clear that they have lost their competitive edge.