Catching customers starts with a solid, well-equipped subcompact at one basic price. The Elantra's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is larger and more powerful than those in many other subcompacts. And the Elantra's list of standard features is anything but bare-bones basic. Keeping customers is left to a surprisingly complete warranty. The Hyundai Advantage extends bumper-to-bumper coverage to five years or 60,000 miles, while the powertrain is warranted for 10 years or 100,000 miles. To top it off, Hyundai offers Elantra owners free 24-hour roadside assistance.

The impressive warranty wouldn't mean much if the Elantra were otherwise difficult to live with, and in fact, the opposite is true. With improved fit-and-finish and decent performance, the Elantra goes a long way toward changing perceptions of small Korean cars.