HYUNDAI'S Elantra small sedan may not make a huge dent on the Australian new-car sales charts, but it is the Korean car-maker's biggest-seller globally.

The Elantra achieved its best sales result in Australia last year – the final year of its life-cycle – and now the sixth-generation version has arrived with major improvements almost across the board, from specification to performance and ride and handling.

Competition for the Elantra is impressive and includes booted versions of the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and the ageing Holden Cruze.

Are the changes enough to elevate the Elantra beyond its small car rivals?

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