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Sedans Hyundai Elantra Article Comments - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test
45 messages, Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 2:12 AM
You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Full Test - Bottom Line: An undeniable value combined with inspiring dynamics wrapped in a tepidly styled wagon shell. (more)
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Replying to: backy (May 07, 2009 7:47 pm) I know this is off topic, but have you considered the Kia Soul? I believe It has the same drivetrain as the Elantras Touring. I tried a 2 liter 4-speed auto last week and was very impressed. Niels
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Replying to: inharmsway (May 08, 2009 11:50 am)
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Replying to: backy (May 09, 2009 2:48 pm)
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Replying to: inharmsway (May 09, 2009 4:26 pm)
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Replying to: backy (May 09, 2009 7:10 pm) I would love that the 2010 should at least get the tweaks from the Touring, like better steering feel, better handling, outside temperature display, and perhaps power driver seats (even the cheap Forte offers power seats). Any idea when the 2010 arrives at the dealers and what will be upgraded?
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Replying to: samnoe (Jul 24, 2009 9:56 am) The engine will probably make it over to the Elantra at some point, along with the smart-alternator (it's already got the electric steering). Those are major improvements and wouldn't be that hard to bring in, and will go a long way towards meeting updated CAFE requirements, along with giving the power boost some deluded people think the Touring needs, heh. Love to see the 5-speed auto make the transition too, but I get the impression that there won't be enough of them for a while. Elantra will probably get Touring's dash and center stack as opposed to Forte's though (Forte's looks a little too....non-Hyundai). Maybe convert the top cubby into a flip-up nav like the Mazda3 (otherwise it'd take major surgery on either stack to put in an in-dash nav).
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Jul 24, 2009 10:04 am) Hyundai: much more room, simpler controls, nicer ride Mazda: much more power, smoother automatic, firmer seats, better steering feel I think both would benefit from a manual transmission--my dealer had only automatics in stock. I didn't get to study the handling of either car very closely--that will require a second test drive. It's nice to have different, but equally appealing, cars to choose from.
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Jul 24, 2009 10:04 am) I have not seen anyplace that the Forte is based on the next-generation Elantra. If so, that won't be the 2010 Elantra. The current Elantra is only 3 years old--ripe for a refresh, but not a redesign. I think it's likely tweaks like the smart alternator will be in the "Blue" Elantra, due out very soon. Would be great if the 2010 Elantra (sedan and Touring) had a more modern drivetrain also. That is probably the biggest hit I see on the Touring, and sedan, in reviews now.
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Replying to: stephen987 (Jul 24, 2009 10:22 am) Anyway, I do NOT find Mazda automatics to be "smooth." More like "edgy" in keeping with the handling. I agree on the seats and the steering feel, though honestly the Elantra isn't THAT far off on the steering feel: it's noticeably lighter but feels pretty good. The ride is definitely nicer: much as I liked the Mazda's handing, eventually the ride was getting to me and my kidneys. I like Hyundai's interior better: Mazda's is nice, but Hyundai's is classier. The handling is definitely more comfort-oriented but I don't mind that: they didn't give up the handling entirely, just compromised at a different point on the comfort/handling scale. 16 inch wheels and longer wheelbase helps I think (not to mention the tires for those 17 inch rims being expensive). Most of all, the Elantra Touring has got a LOT more room than the Mazda3, including a much more viable back seat. The Mazda3 didn't feel terribly powerful when I had it, but I had the 2.3L with the 4-speed auto. It was also not terribly fuel-efficient. Something in the way they did that tranny sapped a lot of power and a few MPG I think. It was OK but I was sitting there wishing for a 2.5L or a Nissan CVT transmission: you really had to mash the gas to get torque, even with the VVT. The Hyundai has a smaller engine, but the torque band starts at lower RPMs, which helps.
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Jul 24, 2009 10:39 am) Can't speak to the fuel economy or reliability issue on the basis of a four-mile test drive, of course. I liked both the Hyundai and the Mazda. According to KBB and Edmunds, the Mazda holds its resale value better (comparing the sedans, anyway), which does matter even if you intend to keep the car for a long time. OTOH the Hyundai would probably cost less to insure. OTOOH, the Hyundai has a 60k timing belt interval, while the Mazda uses a lifetime chain. OTOOOH, I'm also looking at the Fit and the Soul. . . |
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