The all-new 2017 Hyundai Elantra starts at $17,985, making it the second-cheapest compact sedan in the U.S. behind its Kia Forte sibling. Another five bucks gets you into a Dodge Dart, while $80 extra grants you access to this segment’s staple, the Toyota Corolla. But hey, presumably you’re somewhat curious about a Hyundai, so let’s talk about what that cash gets you.
The base six-speed manual SE comes with a new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque (up 2 for both) that doesn’t help fuel economy (at 26 mpg city/36 mpg highway, both are down 1 mpg). The upside" It’s $100 less than the 2016 model and adds a few notable standard features, such as a driver’s knee airbag, a convex driver’s-side mirror, projector-beam headlamps, and tinted glass. Power windows/mirrors/locks and a six-speaker stereo with SiriusXM and a USB port continue as standard. Springing for the six-speed automatic SE ($18,985) brings selectable driving modes (normal, sport, eco) that change the transmission and throttle response. Fuel economy improves to an estimated 29/38 mpg, a one-mpg uptick in the city compared to the 2016 model.

The manual SE is still a bare-bones car with 15-inch steelies and rear drum brakes. Only the automatic SE can be ordered with the Popular Equipment Package ($800; cruise control, steering-wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, 7.0-inch touchscreen audio head unit with Apple CarPlay and Andro...