The Hyundai Elantra was introduced in the early 1990s, but it wasn't until after the turn of the century that this Korean compact sedan really came into its own as a competitor for the
Toyota Corolla and
Honda Civic. A 2007 redesign aims to make the Elantra even more competitive, as the new Elantra boasts more interior space than nearly all of its rivals and it has a strong emphasis on safety; anti-lock brakes, front seat-mounted side air bags, and two-row side curtain air bags are standard across the board.