WHAT WE'RE DRIVING

It's become a rarity for automakers to place manual-transmission models in their press-evaluation fleets, but the Elantra Sport's direct (if light) lever action and skillfully-weighted clutch pedal made it all the more pleasing to manual-shift for a week.

Although the Sport has a unique, assertively-styled grille and other panels that differentiate it from the rest of the Elantra lineup, it's not just an appearance job-there's something going here: don't forget, Hyundai hired BMW's former M-division engineering boss a couple years ago. There's a useful 201 hp from the turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-L 4-cylinder and scant lag. With the 6-speed manual, the Sport's just on the civil side of fast-and is a treat to hustle around in the middle gears.