Hmm.  After doing some investigation, it would seem that ESC is only
available on the Elantra SE, where it is standard equipment.  Not even
available on the GLS.

And by the same token, the Honda Civic has ESC (called VSA) on their Si trim
line, where it is standard equipment.  It is not available on their standard
sedan.

That sounds like pretty much apples to apples in terms of availability.  I
suppose the only other mitigating factor is that the uplevel Elantra SE is
still only a $16,000+ car.  The Civic Si is a $21,000+ car.