For those of us old enuff to remember, Toyota, Datsun(Nissan), Honda
were poorly built crap cans when they first came to North America.
But look at them now.  They are amoung the best built cars on the road
with strong power trains although the bodies will rust away with a
still well runing engine.  Hyundai was the same way - crap that has
turned to gold.  They are very well built Korean cars and just like
the Japanese, they really pulled up their socks.    Unlike the
'domestic' cars where management decides to spend a nickel instead of
a dime, Asians spend the dime.  

For my money, both cars are in the same class, but I would go with the
Elantra.  It uses a mitsu power train, has good fit and finish, has
the little extras that others don't, and is under valued.   $900
difference is a lot of gas money.