AutoPacific based the 2011 Ideal Vehicle Award on 72,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011. The Ideal Vehicle Award measures the expectations of owners and asks them to rate their vehicle across 15 different categories, ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage.

“Owners are asked to rate each of the categories on how close they come to being “ideal” and responses are measured against how closely a vehicle meets the expectations of the customer,” says Hyundai New Zealand Chief Operating Officer, Tom Ruddenklau.

“Given the strong sales in New Zealand since the Elantra launch at Fieldays, and that it is currently Hyundai’s best seller globally, and not to mention it has been Canada’s best-selling passenger car for three months in a row, we think this car will continue to go from strength to strength. It combines the feel of a big car with the benefits of a compact car.”

As well as picking up two AutoPacific Awards, the Elantra was also ranked number one out of eight models in the compact sedan category by US magazine Motor Trend.

The Hyundai Elantra has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and is one of the few compact vehicles in the segment with Vehicle Stability Management.