Motorists faced with the decision of whether to buy something smart for town use or spend their money on a rugged off-roader should turn their faces to the East for the answer to their prayers.

Korean car-maker Hyundai is offering two stylish value-for-money vehicles that fit the bill nicely, whatever the choice.

Its new Elantra, which replaces the present Lantra, offers keen value in a bigger, better overall package.

With prices starting at 10,999 for the 1.6 Si and ending at 13,999 for the 2.0 CDX, it is Hyundai's contender in the medium saloon market. And the range includes a five-door option for the first time.

Longer, wider and taller than the previous model, the Elantra is larger than the Vauxhall Vectra, Nissan Primera, Volvo S40 and Toyota Avensis, but undercuts all of them on price.

Until the end of March, all Elantras come with free servicing for three years or 30,000 miles.

The Elantra features a long list of standard features, with anti-lock brakes and driver, passenger and side airbags standard across the range.

Also standard is air-conditioning, radio/CD player, electric windows, seat-belt pre-tensioners, three three-point rear seat belts, power steering, central locking and engine immobiliser.

The GSi and top-of-the-range CDX add even more to this list. The CDX has traction control, cruise control, climate control and leather seats as standard.

Power for the Elantra comes from a development of the current Lantra's 1.6 and 2.0-litre fuel-injected engines. Automatic transmission is available as an option. If it's the green wellies and the joy of the open countryside that attract, then Hyundai's compact off-roader has an international pedigree.

Styled in the US, at Hyundai's Californian design studio, the Santa Fe is built in Korea and features a Porsche-designed gearbox. The vehicle is wider and longer than the Land Rover Freelander, and offers the refinement and presence of a Grand Cherokee, but with a much more competitive price tag.

The Santa Fe has permanent four-wheel drive and will be available with a choice of a 2.4-litre or 2.7-litre V6 engines generating 143 and 177 horsepower respectively.

A 2.0-litre 115 horsepower direct injection turbo-charged common-rail diesel engine will be launched later in the year.

The 2.4 petrol and 2.0 diesel engines will be matched to a manual gearbox, while the 2.7-litre engine will be mated to an automatic gearbox. Developed in conjunction with Porsche, this gearbox offers manual and automatic options.

As is customary with Hyundai, standard equipment levels are high. All models get driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, power steering, air conditioning, CD/radio with RDS, electric front and rear windows, and remote-controlled anti-theft alarm.

In addition, the 2.7 V6 enjoys leather upholstery, leather covered steering wheel and H-tronic transmission.

Prices are 15,999 for the 2.4-litre and 17,999 for the 2.7-litre V6.