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Hyundai Elantra: Reviews & News from the Pros (Edmunds, C/D, CR, MT etc.)

119 messages,  Last post on Dec 18, 2006 at 3:59 PM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Automotive News, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 7 of 13

#57 of 119 Re: Wards Auto News Elantra Test Drive [moparbad] by backy

Nov 12, 2006 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 12, 2006 7:17 pm)
It's interesting. Hyundai tried to make some styling statements in the past, e.g. XG, Santa Fe, and Tiburon. Even the 2002-2005 Sonata. Those efforts were not exactly received with wide praise. So now Hyundai is going a more conservative route on styling--a route that has proven very successful for companies like Toyota and Honda. And Wards complains about it, even though the new Elantra has some "Korean" styling cues found on no other compact sedans.
 
Look at the top-selling sedans: Camry, Accord, Corolla, Civic, Impala, Malibu, etc. Not many unique styling exercises there, including Hyundai's own Sonata. Hyundai made the '06 Sonata more mainstream in styling, and what happened? Sales surged (of course, the whole car was better than the old one).
 
Anyway, styling is subjective. I like it just fine.
 
The rest of the article was pretty positive overall I thought. I noticed they didn't mention engine noise as have some other reviews--I wonder why? Also interesting were the notes about future Bluetooth availability--first I had seen that--and the fact that Elantras with XM radio have been built since mid-October (none of the cars I saw today at my dealer seemed to have XM, but I suppose they were all built more than a month ago). Also the note about supply constraints keeping shipments to the U.S. below 100k was interesting--that could mean HMA won't have rebates on the Elantra as big as in the past, when they were trying to sell more of them.
 
I thought this comment was curious:
 
In response to complaints from owners of previous-generation Elantras, the new car abounds with storage cubbies, including a dash compartment, seatback pockets, rear cupholders and a dual-level armrest with ample space inside.
 
What's odd about it is the only significant difference in storage cubbies between the 2007 Elantra and the previous generation is the little lidded compartment on top of the dash. But my '04 Elantra has a lidded compartment in the middle of the dash, below the radio, so I don't see any significant advantage there.

#58 of 119 Elantra 1st Place, Rabbit 2nd Place, Sentra 3rd Place by moparbad

Nov 22, 2006 (1:29 pm)

Elantra Montreal Gazette
 
My, my, how far Hyundai has come in such a short period of time. Famous for bringing the original disposable car to Canada (the Pony), it has blossomed into a full-fledged company with an enviable array of products.
 
A handling complement
 
Where the Elantra does surprise is its ability to carve a corner. I expected it to heel over and feel skittish - it does roll gently into the corner, but skittish it is not. Credit the car's well-calibrated suspension and meaty 205/55R16 tires. On a bang-for-the-buck basis, the Elantra is tops in this category.

#59 of 119 Re: Wards Auto News Elantra Test Drive [moparbad] by acura03g

Nov 22, 2006 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 12, 2006 7:17 pm)
This article confirms that some features were not available in the first batches, such as XM radio, bluetooth, etc. My SE was produced in early September and it has a removable pole antenna, while picture in the promotional brochure has an integrated type of antenna. So I think that may come later in the production.

#60 of 119 Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap by moparbad

Nov 22, 2006 (7:47 pm)

Elantra Runs Cheap, Feels Cheap
 
quote-
Then there's the new Hyundai Elantra.
 
From the very first minute, this car like wearing socks with sandals.
 
The seats are flat rather than flattering, the steering wheel has all the tactile feel of a garden hose and as you attempt to drive off you find the accelerator pedal is touchier than a domino expert at the end of a long day.
-end quote
 
Where is the ESP for USA?

#61 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [moparbad] by acura03g

Nov 22, 2006 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 22, 2006 7:47 pm)
The models for Australia are clearly not the same as those for the US. "the cheap price means side-impact and curtain airbags are not standard". Not true for US models, 6 airbags are standard on all trims. they're even standard on all Accent models.
 
you might as well post a review of Chinese version of Elantra, as I'm sure they are even worse.

#62 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [acura03g] by moparbad

Nov 22, 2006 (8:12 pm)

Replying to: acura03g (Nov 22, 2006 8:00 pm)
The models for Australia are clearly not the same as those for the US.
 
The changes in the Elantra for the Australia market are minor for the most part, not major.
They have the same engineering, are built in the same assembly plant, use the same materials, the same 2.0L engine.
 
you might as well post a review of Chinese version of Elantra, as I'm sure they are even worse.
 
Really? The steering wheel may be on the wrong side, however, the review is relevant to the US Elantra.
 
I'm very disappointed you did not find the review to your liking.

#63 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [moparbad] by acura03g

Nov 22, 2006 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
You call 6 airgags minor difference? That's pretty major in my book. Did you see a complete list of features in aussie models or it's just your assumption that they have only minor differences? Cars sold in different countries by the same manufacteur can be quite different. Several years ago I heard some cars sold by major makers in China don't have seatbelts.

#64 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [moparbad] by backy

Nov 22, 2006 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
There's more differences--see the follow-up article below. Note the different steering tuning for different parts of the world. Now the question is, which steering set-up does the U.S. get? The Aussie tuning or the Asian tuning, or something else?
 
http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20707994-5003140,00.html
 
And there are lots of other differences in Elantras from one country to another, besides steering feel and airbags and ESC. For example, the old Korean-spec XD got heated seats, active front headrests, automatic climate control, a nav option, rear-seat center armrest, and a bunch of other stuff the '01-'06 Elantra didn't get in the U.S.
 
The most important comment in the whole (original) review was this one, IMO:
 
... indeed, amid the mundanity of everyday driving, the car's failings would hardly be noticeable.
 
Meaning for people who buy the car to do with it what people who own compact economy cars do, it's a good choice--which the reviewer finally comes out and says at the end of the follow-up report:

For those who simply have to have a new, family-ish-sized car, but don't want to spend a lot of money, the new and improved Elantra is an obvious option.

#65 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [acura03g] by moparbad

Nov 22, 2006 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: acura03g (Nov 22, 2006 8:22 pm)
You call 6 airgags minor difference?
 
Did the Elantra get crashed DURING the review? No.
 
The number of airbags is not going to affect the way the car drives.

#66 of 119 Re: Elantra review from abroad -Feels Cheap, Runs Cheap [moparbad] by acura03g

Nov 22, 2006 (8:44 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Nov 22, 2006 8:41 pm)
but missing the airbags certainly contributed to the reviewer's conclusion that it "feels cheap". Besides, i wouldn't be surprised if the aussie models differ in other aspects that may affect its handling.

Messages Page 7 of 13

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