A class action suit filed in Sacramento Superior Court contends that Hyundai Motor America misled consumers about the gas mileage of its 2011 and 2012 Elantra.

The suit, filed by Consumer Watchdog and a Washington, D.C. law firm, cites specific claims of a Sacramento resident and seeks unspecified damages for California residents who purchased or leased 2011 and 2012 Elantras.

Specifically, the suit alleges that Hyundai marketed the four-door, five-passenger Elantra sedan as “The 40 Mile Per Gallon Elantra,” without government-required disclosures that the 40 mpg estimate was for highway driving only.

The federal mileage estimate for the three trim levels of a Hyundai Elantra with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine in city driving is 29 miles per gallon.

The suit alleges that Hyundai’s “illegal” advertisements caused “tens of thousands of California drivers” to purchase or lease 2011 and 2012 Elantras and incur higher-than-expected.

Hyundai said it was aware of the suit and is preparing to release a statement later today.

Contact the author at:[email protected]