AutoNSider Review | 2019 Hyundai Elantra Limited

I'd like to be the proverbial fly on the wall at the design meetings of the high-end six-figure luxury cars.

Heated arm rests and consoles…ambient lighting that changes color and pulsates to your sound…music-themed massages What's next? Light-activated automatic sun visors? Here's one that could prove interesting….a tanning-light option? Heated gear-shift knobs? ( Wait…that's my idea for the Honda SI and Hyundai Veloster )

I think you get the idea, tho'. They seem to live in a world of "How do we one-up the other guys?" It's like a good movie, and I'm eager to see what's next.

On the other hand, I get the feeling that the engineering types at Hyundai come at the question from the opposite 180 degrees.

I think they're more into exploring "How much can we add to our vehicles and still remain around 25 thousand or so?"

This week's test Hyundai Elantra Limited is a perfect example of that thinking.

A window sticker just under 27 thousand got us all this: Sunroof, 17" alloys, ventilated and heated front leather with power lumbar, 7" display, 8-speaker premium audio, wireless charging, forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic. And all that stickers at $23,500.

It was the $3,350 "Ultimate Package that brought us up to $26,960. That got us the sunroof, nav, smart cruise, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, Blue Link multimedia map and drivers' seat memory.

All in with just about every feature that we've come to expect...a few dollars under 27 thousand,

and that includes an EPA rating of 28 city and 37 highway.

We beat that…without trying. Our average 2-lane + freeway commute registered at 34-35 MPG…and an occasional 40 on the freeway wasn't unusual.

Power comes from a 2.0 liter, 147 HP non-turbo four running through a six-speed auto. It's fast enough to have your back in all but the riskiest moves.

Would Ilike faster? Sure? But not at the expense of the Elantra's outstanding mileage.

Like almost every compact / almost mid-sized four-door sedan out there, you've got room for four + a lot of luggage…or five…and five slightly smaller bags.

Is the Elantra perfect? No. Give me a two-tone interior and a little better sound. But please don't take away the low price…big warranty…and the outstanding mileage.

Hyundai's '19 Elantra Limited delivers a whole lotta' content for not a whole lotta' money. Follow AutoNSider on Facebook for review videos and more!