2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Completely restyled last year, the Hyundai Elantra is one of ConsumerSearch’s reigning Best Reviewed economy cars. Now I understand why.  In addition to audacious styling that makes it look more expensive than it is, the Elantra adds in a lot of features for the money.  My tester, a well-equipped Elantra Limited sedan, even had heated leather rear seats. Expected niceties like Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, and satellite radio also included. A nav system was not (it’s part of a separate $2,100 tech package).  The Elantra is roomy, fuel-efficient (I averaged around 29 mpg overall), gets plenty of power from its 1.8-liter four cylinder, and has a big (14.8 cubic-foot) trunk . Furthermore, the interior design is modern and pleasing to look at.  I stood in my driveway, eyeballed the whole package, and figured it to be a $25,000 car.  It was actually $21,500. Want to know why Honda’s already rushing out a revamp on its brand-new 2012 Civic for the 2013 model year? Just look at the Elantra.

Photo Copyright ©2012 Alex Núñez / ConsumerSearch.com

2012 Nissan Versa SL Sedan

For 2012, Nissan overhauled its entry-level Versa sedan (the hatchback is actually a holdover – it gets the same restyling later in 2012 for the 2013 model year). The new Versa can still brag that in base trim, it’s the cheapest new car in the US, at an MSRP of $10,995. Unlike the old version, the new car’s cut-rate price now includes a radio and air conditioning (you’ll still have to crank the windows the old-fashioned way.) Put side-by-side with its predecessor, the 2012 Versa’s better-looking, too, but that’s not saying much. Even with its desperately-needed restyle, the 2012 Versa still looks frumpy next to some other comparably-priced rivals.  Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the Versa’s cavernous interior. In the top-spec SL trim (which is what I drove), the materials are hardy and the control layout is intuitive, but there’s no real panache to the presentation. Road noise, particularly on the highway, can be intrusive. Despite that, I genuinely liked driving the Versa. It’s a plucky little car — comfortable, easy to see out of, with ample performance and efficiency from its 1.6-liter four and continuously variable transmission.  I averaged around 35 mpg over five days at the wheel (the majority of my driving was on the highway). Even with the optional tech package (navigation, a touchscreen display, XM radio, traffic, and weather; and iPod compatibility) and a set of $170 floormats, the final sticker price comes in at $17,190. It’s not flashy, but the Versa’s a solid, easy-to-drive economy car.

Photo Copyright ©2012 Alex Núñez / ConsumerSearch.com

2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ

The Chevy Sonic replaces the spectacularly underwhelming Aveo. Like its predecessor, the Sonic can be had as either a five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan. The similarities end there, because unlike the Aveo, the Sonic is actually nice to drive.The standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder is joined by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder. Both make 138 horsepower, but the latter engine is smoother, delivers more torque, and is blessed with better fuel-economy. There’s a caveat, though: the better mpg figures are only achievable with a six-speed manual gearbox; the optional automatic transmission for the turbo doesn’t even become available until this spring. The good news, if you’re shopping right now, is that the Sonic with the base 1.8-liter engine is not at all disappointing.  Visually, there’s no difference between cars fitted with either engine save for a little “TURBO” badge. The interior is well assembled and stylish, with a clever analog/digital instrument cluster, an easy-to-use radio, lots of storage nooks, and plenty of room to get comfortable. Cargo capacity is great in both the hatchback and sedan. The former has19 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up or 30 cubic feet with them folded, the latter has a 14 cubic-foot trunk.  On the road, the 1.8-liter Sonic is buzzier-sounding  than the 1.4 turbo, but even with less torque, there’s plenty of usable power. I observed combined fuel economy of just under 30 mpg. The loaded Sonic LTZ 1.8 I drove had the optional automatic transmission, Bluetooth, satellite radio, the best available audio system, and iPod compatibility. An in-dash navigation system is not yet available in the Sonic (it eventually will be, however – GM unveiled the system destined for it at CES), but OnStar lets you download accurate turn-by-turn directions to the car, and you can use it on the fly as you drive.  My Sonic 1.8 hatchback tester’s MSRP came in at $18,880.

Photo Copyright ©2012 Alex Núñez / ConsumerSearch.com

2012 Hyundai Accent SE

This is my favorite inexpensive new car. Like the step-up Elantra, the Hyundai Accent wears dramatic, visually exciting sheetmetal, has an eye-catching interior, and drives great. You can buy it as a hatchback or a sedan; my tester was a hatchback with a six-speed manual gearbox (an automatic is available for an additional $1,000). The combination of the stick with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder gave me overall fuel economy of around 31 mpg in a week of mixed driving, and I never felt as if the car ran out of guts (a feeling that I did get at some times driving the sportier-themed  Hyundai Veloster equipped with the same powertrain). Inside, you’ll find a more modern look and more upscale materials than those found in the Nissan Versa. The Accent’s an econobox, but there’s nothing cheap-feeling about it. In terms of amenities, my tester had Bluetooth, satellite radio, and iPod compatibility. Nav is not available. All told, the Accent SE I sampled is the cheapest of the four cars I’m highlighting, at $16,770.

Photo Copyright ©2012 Alex Núñez / ConsumerSearch.com