Hyundai's effort to project a higher level of quality is apparent in Elantra's passenger cabin. The improvement isn't measured by bells and whistles, but by clean, efficient design, better finish and switches that are easier to live with.The cloth upholstery and door trim feel sturdy, yet comfortable, and the vinyl, particularly that covering the dashboard, is soft and pliable. In all, materials feel quite rich for a car of Elantra's price. Interior volume, including available headroom, compares favorably with other cars in the class. Remote trunk and fuel release and a carpeted cargo compartment are standard. The heater, ventilation and air conditioning are now controlled with rotary switches, rather than the sliding type. They're much easier to locate and adjust while driving. Unfortunately, Hyundai didn't extend these improvements to the radio controls, and that's our primary gripe. The buttons are so small that adjusting them distracts from the task of driving.
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