As we move closer to everyone and their mother having a truck or SUV, small car offerings are a rarity these days, especially the subcompact vehicles that seem to be disappearing more and more each year.

The Nissan Versa is one of the few still available to those in search of a tinier ride: A subcompact, front-wheel-drive, 4-door sedan. I spent a week in a 2021 Versa, and I’m back with a full report on this small but capable ride.

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Completely redesigned in 2020 and touched up a bit for 2021, the 2021 Nissan Versa is now one of the better-looking subcompact sedans available on the market, inside and out.

Legroom is always a concern in a subcompact, but up front there’s plenty to spare even for taller folks. In the back, of course, it’s going to be a bit cramped, which is why these types of vehicles are often used as commuter cars and not family carriers.

As other OEMs drop out of the compact sedan segment to focus more on larger vehicles like SUVs, Hyundai is re-upping its efforts, completely redesigning its long-trusted Elantra sedan for 2021 in hopes to gain market share in an area of the auto market that is shrinking but still has a significant amount of fans, both domestic and worldwide.

Hyundai has jazzed up the styling on the Elantra, ramped up the technology and safety features, and even offers a performance-level version this year. I recently spent time in a 2021 Elantra and I’m back with a full report.

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The redesigned look of the Elantra for 2021 features a bold and futuristic appearance that stands out in a segment where many options are pretty ho-hum. The sprawling, in-your-face front grille in particular gets your attention quickly.

My test vehicle’s exterior featured a sharp blue paint scheme, 17-inch alloy wheels, a sun roof, LED headlights and heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators

Going into the Elantra, you’ll find a roomy vehicle in both front and back seats, so you’re not cramped even with a full load of people. That’s another thing you can’t say about every vehicle in this segment, but Hyundai clearly recognizes that compact doesn’t have to mean dreading getting into the back seat.

When the name Hyundai is mentioned, traditionally your thoughts won’t go toward thinking about an upscale vehicle.

But in today’s competitive automotive landscape, even non-luxury brands are stepping up their game, and doing so on vehicles of all sizes, too.

I was pleasantly surprised when I first got my first look at the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, a compact sedan that offers more than you would expect for a vehicle in this size and price tag.

Read on for more details on where the Elantra comes up big and where it could be improved.

LOOKS 

With some refreshing changes made on the exterior design for 2019, the Elantra looks sharp both from the front and rear, including some exciting headlight and taillight designs.

Most compact sedans are not much to look at, but the Elantra breaks that mold and becomes a standout in the class.