Hyundai Elantra

In recent years, this South Korean carmaker has shown remarkable attention to the actual use of its cars in the real world. The Elantra compact sedan ably demonstrates this with solid construction, quality materials, simple and well-laid-out controls, good performance and a comfortable ride. It also has great reliability scores. The base Elantra GLS is a value leader, but the slightly more expensive SE offers great additional amenities such as air conditioning, an electronic stability control system, a full-featured 172-watt audio system, 16-inch alloy wheels with bigger tires and a trip computer. Yet it is competitively priced. All Elantras have four disc brakes with ABS, six airbags and active front head restraints. They also come with Hyundai's strong warranty and its new Assurance plan — if you lose your income within the first year of ownership, you can return the car.