Pop the redesigned Hyundai Elantra's hood and under the handsome plastic shroud is an upgraded version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the previous model. This is not the new "world engine" that Hyundai jointly developed with DaimlerChrysler – production constraints exclude that powerplant from the Elantra for now. In the meantime, this proven carryover motor gets several upgrades for added refinement and improved efficiency.

Hyundai has added hydraulic motor mounts to better isolate the Elantra's somewhat buzzy engine from the cabin, and fuel economy is up this year. Hyundai says the Elantra gets an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway regardless of transmission choice, and when swapping the standard five-speed manual gearbox for the optional four-speed automatic in California or New England, the engine emissions rating escalates from ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) to PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle). That greener emissions rating has an effect on horsepower and torque. In federal form, the ULEV-rated engine makes 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm. The PZEV-rated engine loses six ponies and three pound-feet of twist. Hyundai says the standard ULEV engine with a five-speed manual will accelerate the 2,723-pound Elantra from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. Our test sample was the PZEV version with the four-speed automatic, which did not accelerate that fast. Nevertheless, we found it to be peppy and able to return an average of 29.7 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard 15-inch wheels with steel styled wheel covers and 195/65 tires or optional 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 tires are connected to a four-wheel-independent suspension with twin-tube gas-charged shocks. MacPherson struts are located up front, while the rear is comprised of a multi-link design. Hyundai swaps out conventional hydraulic steering for MDPS, which stands for Motor Driven Power Steering. This rack-and-pinion design adds incrementally to the Elantra's improved fuel economy, and causes no loss in road feel or steering response. Four-wheel ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes with ABS and EBD are also standard equipment, and Hyundai is working on getting a stability control system added to the Elantra.