2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue Priced at $14,145

Hyundai has announced pricing for the Elantra Blue; the fuel-efficient sedan will start below all of its competition at $14,145 (not including a $720 destination fee).

It’s priced below the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Ford Focus, which all cost more than $15,000. Of course, the Elantra Blue doesn’t include features like air conditioning or a stereo. A convenience package with air conditioning and other basic amenities costs $1,700. When comparably equipped, the Elantra still costs in less than the Civic but slightly more than the Corolla. However, the all-new Kia Forte — the Elantra’s corporate cousin — starts at $13,695 and is based on a future Elantra platform. It also comes sans air conditioning.

The EPA has rated the Elantra Blue with a manual transmission at 26/35 mpg city/highway — a 2 mpg bump from 2009 — thanks to some clever engineering that includes a “smart” alternator management system, lower friction engine parts, engine calibration changes, revised gear ratios and a shift indicator. Only the Cobalt XFE with a manual transmission gets better mileage; the Corolla and Focus tie the Elantra Blue at 35 mpg on the highway.

To get a four-speed automatic transmission, buyers have to move up to the GLS trim level, which starts at $16,895 and gets 26/33 mpg.

The Blue trim will also be available for the lower-priced Accent, but there’s no word yet on pricing for that vehicle.

2010|Hyundai|Elantra