Sign In Join 



Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra

1637 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2009 at 7:09 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Sedan


Messages Page 160 of 165
1
...
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
...
165
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#1582 of 1637
08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE by mjoshi
Mar 24, 2008 (10:24 am)
Reply
I'm in market for a new car and narrowed down between Honda Civic v/s Hyundai Elantra. Both are similarly priced with Elantra being little bit cheaper than Civic. Mileage wise it seems both are on par. What is opinion of others ? I'll be driving in snow and seems Civic lacks certain extra safety features that Elantra SE has. Also seems like CR rated Elantra SE higher than Civic just because of extra safety features.
#1583 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [mjoshi] by backy
Mar 24, 2008 (10:58 am)
Reply

Replying to: mjoshi (Mar 24, 2008 10:24 am)

The Elantra SE does have standard electronic stability control with traction control, which is not available on the Civic LX (rumors are that it will be available on the LX for 2009). Both the Civic and Elantra are highly rated by CR, with the Civic EX with a stick shift tying the Elantra SE with automatic in their rankings (both got 82 points), with the Civic EX with automatic getting 78 points.
  
Other than the ESC/traction control, the cars have similar safety features. The Civic has done very well in crash tests, as has the Elantra but the Elantra hasn't been tested by the IIHS for side impact yet.
  
The cars are quite a bit different in other aspects, though (I've driven both). Civic has crisper handling and slightly better fuel economy (29 vs. 28 mpg EPA combined), the Elantra has a roomier interior and trunk and a softer, quieter ride. They are both really good small cars, but you might prefer how one drives vs. the other. The Elantra SE also includes quite a bit more equipment than the Civic LX, e.g. alloys, fog lamps, leather wheel with audio controls, XM radio, rear center armrest, lighted vanity mirrors, trip computer, heated mirrors.
  
The other thing to consider is that although the Elantra costs less up front, the Civic has historically higher resale value. That can be important if you plan to keep the car for only 2-3 years. There are some great incentives on the Elantra now, with a rebate ranging from $1500-2000 depending on state.
#1584 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [mjoshi] by thegraduate
Mar 24, 2008 (10:59 am)
Reply

Replying to: mjoshi (Mar 24, 2008 10:24 am)

If driving a lot in snow, the Civic lacks Stability Control, the Elantra's main advantage. The Elantra is really a great deal, as it offers more features for less money. The Civic is a real hoot to drive though!
#1585 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [thegraduate] by targettuning
Mar 24, 2008 (12:00 pm)
Reply

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 24, 2008 10:59 am)

I own one..a 2006 EX automatic sedan and "hoot to drive" isn't one of the terms I'd use. More like stiff over road irregularities, lots of wind and road and/or tire noise, not happy to stay in 5th gear, twitchy steering combined with a tiny steering wheel (some may love this direct feel = "hoot to drive") that causes the car to change direction if you are only thinking about a direction change. It well known I do not like our Honda but without getting into my specific problems with the car I find I like the Elantra better on the face of it simply because it rides better, is larger inside, is quieter, steers and handles less like it is on crack (but well enough and by no means does it feel sloppy) and it does have a whole host of standard features simply N/A on the Honda. Oh, the Elantra is much cheaper than an EX sedan..ours was $19,680 in 2006 and the price has only gone up since then. I should add, before someone else does, that I am partial to Hyundai. Biased, that's me
#1586 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [targettuning] by thegraduate
Mar 24, 2008 (12:22 pm)
Reply

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 24, 2008 12:00 pm)

The Elantra is more cushy. The Civic is more sporty.
The Elantra is more relaxed. The Civic is more high-strung.
The Elantra is more boring. The Civic is more exciting.
The Elantra has a slower-responding, "big-car" feel. The Civic has a quick-on-its-feet, agile feel.
Targettuning likes a more comfortable ride and doesn't like the quick-handling Civic . TheGraduate's dad likes the sportiness of the Civic and didn't want a "boring" car.
 
The Elantra is indeed quieter, bigger, and softer riding than the Civic. But, that doesn't mean "better" for everyone. Just like quick-ratio steering and more agile handling is "better" for target.
 
For people like my folks (who have a problem-free 2007 with 42k miles) the Civic is fun. My dad said he loves the "point and shoot" feel of the Civic. I've driven it, and it is fun to scoot around in; much more fun than my Accord (even though my Accord is a good deal quicker in the straight line).
 
My folks got their Civic EX 5AT for a little under invoice ($17,280) , and got blue-book for their Accord when they traded in. The Elantra is a value-buy, but then the Civic isn't priced like a Rolls-Royce either.
#1587 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [thegraduate] by backy
Mar 24, 2008 (12:30 pm)
Reply

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 24, 2008 12:22 pm)

For sportiness and a quick-on-its-feet, agile feel, I'd go for a Mazda3 vs. a Civic LX (or Elantra).
 
And I don't mind boring if it includes "boring" through ice and snow with the help of ESC and traction control.
#1588 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [backy] by thegraduate
Mar 24, 2008 (12:37 pm)
Reply

Replying to: backy (Mar 24, 2008 12:30 pm)

That's what I had given the advantage to (Elantra) to the poster's intial post. They were asking about snow-driving. As far as safety goes, I know my dad's Civic has 4-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Front, Side, and Curtain Airbags, and I think the ACE body structure. It's a darn safe car, all it really lacks is the VSA (VSA, VSC, ESC, whatever ) But, at the moment, the Elantra leads the competition because it has stability control available. If the Civic comes in with it standard on all models, Hyundai will have to step it up and deliver on the GLS!
 
I can't help but imagine the Civic will have this for the MMC. Let's hope.
 
And, the Mazda 3 has SO MUCH road rumble with the 17" tires I couldn't stand it (the i version has 16" wheels and aren't quite as bad). The Civic sort of meets the Elantra and the 3 in the middle.
#1589 of 1637
08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE by mjoshi
Mar 24, 2008 (3:24 pm)
Reply
okay today I had chance to test drive Civic & Elantra one after other and last back to my Mazda 3 Hatchback. To be honest neither Elantra nor Civic came anywhere close to Mazda 3. I was planning to trade-in Mazda 3 (call me confused) for Elantra or Civic but after test drive probably I'll have to think twice. My Mazda 3 gives me 25-26mpg during winter time city driving in upstate NY. Well between Elantra and Civic, Civic seemed to be better in terms of layout but road noise is more pronounced on Civic compared to Elantra. On other hand engine noise is more on Elantra compared to Civic so after driving both cars I'm now more confused. Seems probably try and drive Corolla next.
#1590 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [mjoshi] by thegraduate
Mar 24, 2008 (3:28 pm)
Reply

Replying to: mjoshi (Mar 24, 2008 3:24 pm)

Make sure you have coffee and plenty of sleep before driving the Corolla.
 
May I ask why you are considering ditching the 3? I've always liked them, except for the tire noise and vibration in the cabin (my experience is with a 2004 3s and a 2007 3i - the 3i is seemingly better than the s).
#1591 of 1637
Re: 08 Honda Civic LX v/s 08 Hyundai Elantra SE [mjoshi] by backy
Mar 24, 2008 (5:27 pm)
Reply

Replying to: mjoshi (Mar 24, 2008 3:24 pm)

I don't know why you'd want to trade in the Mazda3s hatch, but neither the Civic nor Elantra sedan is anywhere close to it. Nor is the Corolla, as you'll find out. The Matrix XRS, maybe now you are getting a little closer. Or if you can wait until this fall, the Elantra Touring will be out, which will give you the hatch/wagon configuration, sport-tuned suspension and steering, short-throw B&M shifter, and 17" alloys option (16s standard). So, much closer to your 3 hatch than the Civic or Elantra sedans, but with more interior and cargo room than you have now.
 
Or just hold onto the 3 hatch for awhile and wait about 18 months for the next-gen 3?

Messages Page 160 of 165
1
...
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
...
165
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement