While the Honda Civic claimed the spot of best-selling vehicle in the U.S. last month, a rival took home another honor. "Consumer Reports’ July edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, ranked the 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE first among a group of 19 compact sedans," according to the Detroit Free Press. "Ford-controlled Mazda was the only Detroit 3 brand to land a model among the top 10 in that category and the Chevrolet Aveo LT finished last among a group of 11 subcompact cars rated." That Honda Civic put up a fight. "With an overall score of 82, the Elantra SE nudged out second-ranked Honda Civic EX by less than a point." The Free Press adds, "The Elantra’s rise to the top reflects improvements in Hyundai’s entire lineup, which dwelled at or near the bottom just a few years ago."
Kicking Tires notes that the Elantra "earned Consumer Reports' 'excellent' rating in predicted reliability."
That's a big accomplishment for the Korean automaker. Consumer Reports itself says the rating "shows how far Hyundai has come in the last decade. Its cars used to be unreliable and unrefined, with low scores in tests. Now, some compete with the best in their classes."
Autoblog writes, "While the big Japanese auto manufacturers have been incrementally improving their vehicles ever since they were first launched in the U.S., Hyundai has been bettering itself in leaps and bounds."
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