Upon first glance at the GT, it just looks a lot sportier. The 5-door hatchback configuration offers all the benefits of a sedan but adds a little

The 5-door hatchback configuration offers all the benefits of a sedan but adds a little extra. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

extra, plus I much prefer the swept back styling. It's sleek and sporty-looking and nicely designed. Again, its European influence makes the car all that much more appealing. It's no wonder why auto manufacturers, like Hyundai and GM are turning to the Europeans for styling cues. The Europeans just know how to work it, and since I'm Hungarian by blood, I guess that automatically makes me stylish! Ok, you know you've been doing too many logical reasoning questions when you start incorporating them into your daily life.

Getting back to the styling, even in the dark this car looks great. I was in a neighboring city on business, which just happened to be the home town a friend of mine I hadn't seen all summer, Suze, who decided to pick me up from my hotel so we could chat about boys and all that stuff over a nice cup of steamed milk at Starbucks. Now, it was 10 o'clock at night when she came to get me, and the parking lot was dimly lit so I couldn't see all that well, but as we approached her car I thought to myself, "What a neat

4-doors start at only $14,995, while my top-line SE hit the books at $20,495. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

looking car." I couldn't make out the model in the dark but as soon as I sat in the passenger's side, I saw the big H on the steering wheel and recognized it was the Elantra GT. I asked what her thoughts were on the car, and she had nothing but praise to say. While hers has the automatic transmission, she still thought it was great.

Because of its sleek design, zippy engine and healthy list of standard features, I am perplexed as to why I see so few of them on the roads. I can't say it enough, it's just that good. And what makes it even better, is that it's priced under $20,000 - $19,895 without the Candy Apple exterior paint, but $20,020 is the price as tested. Base 5-door GLs, which look mighty similar to GT models, excepting a few trim pieces, start at only $15,395. And incidentally, now that we're talking price, 4-doors start at only $14,995, while my top-line SE hit the books at $20,495.