TEST DRIVE: We Get 40 mpg From a Non-Hybrid Hyundai Elantra!

The new <a title="Hyundai Elantra" href="http://www.hyundaiusa.com/elantra/" target="_blank">Hyundai Elantra</a> proves that not all green cars are hybrids. Right now, automakers are scrambling to meet new and <a title="Inhabitat: Upcoming CAFE Standards" href="http://inhabitat.com/obamas-new-cafe-standards-require-vehicles-to-average-54-5-mpg-by-2025/" target="_blank">upcoming fuel efficiency standards</a> that require them to build at least a few models with great mpg numbers - so they can meet the new average while still selling their more popular, less efficient cars and trucks. This means that we're due to start seeing 40-mpg sedans that don’t even have <a title="Wikipedia: Hybrid vehicle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle" target="_blank">hybrid technology</a> under the hood. Don’t get us wrong - we love hybrids and believe <a title="Inhabitat: electric car" href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=electric+car" target="_blank">electric cars</a> are the future, but if a car company can make a 40-mpg car without even using hybrid technology, by the time they add an electric motor under the hood, we will be talking seriously efficient cars.

The Elantra has a sporty stance with plenty of power under the hood, which is why we were surprised to average 40 mpg.

Most of the design on the outside is standard sedan fare; it's the inside where you get pampered.

You wouldn't guess from the outside how huge the trunk is either, but just wait and see what we fit in it.

We took the Elantra to a local park that features solar powered outbuildings and community gardening.

As mentioned previously, the trunk in the Elantra is quite deep, allowing us to stuff it with two full sets of bedding for a new king-size bed.

That's a summer quilt, winter comforter, fleece blanket, two sets of sheets, and two bags of picture frames we found for a steal to decorate a master bedroom that was getting a bigger bed. Everything fit in the Elantra's trunk with ease.

One of the niggling details that wasn't so luxurious in the Elantra was the feel of the window controls. The door may be outfitted in two-tone leather with matching plastic controls a la BMW, but the buttons have a cheap feel that betray the price point of this car.

We feel lucky that a car this efficient and inexpensive even has all these controls, however.

The sound system features surround speakers, including this small speaker on the door panel.

Probably the most attractive thing about the Elantra is that it functions exactly like a normal car--because it is one. You get 40 mpg without any sacrifices that come with smaller electric or hybrid vehicles.

A comfortable cabin with navigation, satellite radio, and an Eco button for even more efficient driving.

Here is the Eco button to the left of the steering wheel, which throttles the engine's power and maximizes the efficiency of the car for even better fuel economy. We didn't find this service all that helpful, though, discovering that we just had to push the gas pedal down harder to get anywhere.

The Elantra has a pretty standard instrument cluster, though you can monitor your expected range just like in an electric car.

Bluetooth and radio controls are located on the steering wheel along with the usual cruise control and other buttons.

The Elantra has a start-stop button, which means your key stays in your purse or pocket. The feel of this button is a little cheap, like the window controls, but the convenience is a great feature.

We love how the navigation and menus are located on the display and the radio and sound controls are isolated below the screen. Many cars have jumbled buttons these days, and this organization works well.

The HVAC controls are also isolated below the radio, so you can go to one spot to change seat heaters, fans, and defrosters.

The integrated power and volume controls may seem obvious and like something to take for granted, but you wouldn't believe the number of cars that hide the power button or separate the power and volume on the radio, leading to a lot of fumbling. This setup works very simply and well.

All your radio options are here, including satellite.

The Elantra has a standard navigation system that worked well.

The map turns to black background for night driving with the touch of a button.

See the plus and minus on the gearbox? That's an optional manumatic transmission, where you can flick the gear lever back and forth to change gears almost as quickly as you could in a manual. Leave it in D and it's a full automatic.

AUX and USB input for mp3 players and smart phone charging.

Really we were most impressed with how normal this car was for being so efficient. Normal center console, luxurious features, plenty of power, but still managing 40 mpg. Can you imagine how great the fuel mileage will be when they make a hybrid of the Elantra soon?

We would recommend the sunroof, as it adds a little perceived headroom to the cabin.

Quality features (albeit in slightly cheap execution in places) continue even to the second row with this two-tone door.

Second-row seat heaters demonstrate the attention to detail on pampering features in this car.

The second-row door cup holder was a nice size and held a sippy cup without problems.