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2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

94 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2013 at 11:37 AM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Hatchback

Messages Page 6 of 11

#42 of 94 Re: Just thinking out loud... [backy] by bpizzuti

Apr 04, 2012 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: backy (Apr 04, 2012 3:24 pm)
If I can wait that long I'll be getting one too. Then again, if I can't wait there's always the Veloster Turbo, depending on how the MPGs work out. They're estimating 38 MPG highway for the manual.

#43 of 94 Package annoyance by bpizzuti

Apr 07, 2012 (6:44 pm)

Ok, just got back from the NY Auto Show, where they had both the Veloster Turbo and the Elantra GT for me to drool over. And then I looked at the info sheet for the GT. Particularly the last part:
 
Style Package:
* 17 inch alloy wheels
* Sport tunes suspension
* Panoramic Sunroof
* Front side mirrors with turn signals.
* Leather seats, steering wheel, shift knob
* Power seats
* Aluminum pedals
* One touch up driver's window
 
Technology Package:
* Requires Style Package
* Nav
* Rear camera
* Auto climate control
* Smart key (or whatever Hyundai calls it)
* Automatic headlights
 
So basically, in order to get any of the cool options, you must also get the monsterous panoramic sunroof. And that's one thing that I was most definitely not impressed with. It's too big, the design forces the front to retract over the rear, it's heavy, it's likely that it'll heat up the car quite a bit in the sun, and the only shading is a thin piece of fabric that acts as a blackout shade, and it's over an inch from the glass. As well as being a bit cheap. I'd really prefer to avoid that sunroof if I can but they're also requiring a panoramic sunroof on the Veloster Turbo in order to get the rear camera (luckily that's adding a much smaller amount of glass). Did someone at Hyundai get a discount on sunroof glass or something?

#44 of 94 Re: Package annoyance [bpizzuti] by backy

Apr 07, 2012 (9:36 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Apr 07, 2012 6:44 pm)
You mean not even the leather-covered wheel and shift knob are standard on the GT, as on the old one? No sport-tuned suspension standard, as on the old one? Not even a one-touch-up driver's window standard?? That's a really basic GT! What's "GT" about it?
 
I don't need nav/rear camera/auto climate/smart key/auto headlights/aluminum pedals/power seat/leather seats/panoramic sunroof. But I wouldn't mind the turn signals in the mirrors (safety), sport tuned suspension (but with 16" wheels), one-touch-up windows, and leather wheel/shifter. At least maybe the base price will be pretty reasonable, as de-contented as it is.
 
Did you see anything about the GT that you LIKED?

#45 of 94 Re: Package annoyance [backy] by bpizzuti

Apr 08, 2012 (5:40 am)

Replying to: backy (Apr 07, 2012 9:36 pm)
Driving position, dash, center stack design, steering wheel, back seat room, seat comfort, cargo capacity. I just don't like the way they're packaging the options, partially because I REALLY don't like the panoramic sunroof. I like sunroofs in general but I think the panoramic one is overkill.
 
Guess we can hope there will be some non-package options, but the GT's auto climate is supposed to come with automatic humidity control, which I DO want, along with the smart key and the power leather seats (what can I say, I spend over 2 hours a day in the car).
 
Supposedly the GT gets a sportier suspension tune than the sedan by default, and the optional "sport" suspension should really be called "sportier suspension." Supposedly.

#46 of 94 Re: Package annoyance [bpizzuti] by backy

Apr 08, 2012 (10:06 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Apr 08, 2012 5:40 am)
Guess we can hope there will be some non-package options...
 
Not likely except for stuff that can be added by the dealer like a Homelink mirror, mudflaps etc.
 
From what I've read, including your eyewitness report, it appears the GT will come with adjustable steering feel standard, but not the sport-tuned suspension. Which if true is... odd.

#47 of 94 Build-and-price is available now by backy

Jun 26, 2012 (8:25 pm)

on hyundaiusa.com. I priced out the GT with no options except floor mats, Volcanic Red with beige interior (yessss!), and the pricer said Total MSRP = $18,490 with the note, "Total MSRP includes freight charges and current customer rebate." However, it showed freight charge as 0 (also rebate was 0). Hmmm. I hope the total is only $18,490 including freight, that would be very reasonable for a car with its equipment level, which includes:
 
* 6 speed manual
* 16" alloys
* DSSM (driver selectable steering mode)
* fog lights
* remote keyless entry
* 7 airbags
* tilt/telescope steering column with audio and cruise on the wheel
* Blue Link telematics
* Bluetooth
* 6 speaker stereo with satellite radio and USB/aux inputs
* heated front seats (!)
* sliding center armrest
* lots more
 
So pretty much everything I need, except I wouldn't mind leather wheel/shifter and turn signals in the mirrors. Also noted something weird on the options: driver's auto up window is part of a $2750 package! C'mon, how much can that cost to add? Even my 2010 Sentra S has that feature!

#48 of 94 Re: Build-and-price is available now [backy] by bpizzuti

Jun 27, 2012 (6:04 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 26, 2012 8:25 pm)
In order to get any of the option stuff at all you have to get that monstrous sunroof. Given how thin the shade is for it, it's not going to block any solar heating of the car. I want nothing to do with it, which means i won't be considering one. On the other hand, the Veloster isn't quite as bad about forcing the sunroof down your throat to get "stuff" and said sunroof is smaller anyway. Of course, there's a lot of glass area on the hatch itself...

#49 of 94 Re: Build-and-price is available now [bpizzuti] by backy

Jun 27, 2012 (9:00 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jun 27, 2012 6:04 am)
Well, fortunately all the stuff I really have to have is standard, so I don't need to worry about any packages. Can't wait until they arrive at dealers so I can drive one. Hopefully there'll be more MTs in the mix than for the sedans--those are impossible to find in my area. When I find one, it's sold by the time I can get to the dealership to drive it.
 
One thing I like is that the red/beige combo is available on the GT. That combo is not available on some other hatches e.g. Mazda3i.

#50 of 94 Took a test drive by bpizzuti

Jun 30, 2012 (4:28 pm)

Ok, two points of reference here: I currently drive an Elantra Touring that I need to redline to get any power, an with a transmission that sometimes likes to stop and think before it shifts. Before that, I drove a red 2004 Mazda3 with verve, passion, and quite a lot of joy. Supposedly this is Hyundai's target with the new GT.
 
They missed.
 
The car drives well enough. Shifts smoothly, takes corners reasonably flat, and Hyundai's getting better at putting feel in their steering. The engine is definitely short of torque, particularly at the low end, and you can feel it. You have to rev it up to get a quick power surge, and it's difficult to maintain some speeds on an uphill grade without downshifting. I honestly didn't notice any difference between the indy rear on the Touring and the torsion beam on the GT, which means they either did a good job on the GT, or a bad job on the Touring. Or maybe a little bit of both.
 
Is it more fun than the Touring or a Corolla? Yeah. Is it to the level of a Mazda3 or Focus? No, it's still far short. This one didn't have the upgraded "sport" suspension, but it would have to be a LOT more "sport" to make a difference. The car is competent, but if Hyundai wants to play in the zoom-zoom crowd they need to keep practicing. And maybe put in the 2.0L DI version of the Nu. Or even the 1.6L Gamma-T. But they need to find some low-end torque somewhere.

#51 of 94 Re: Took a test drive [bpizzuti] by backy

Jun 30, 2012 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jun 30, 2012 4:28 pm)
I wouldn't be surprised to see the 1.6L Turbo in the GT pretty soon. It's a natural fit for the car, for folks like you who need more power and torque to go with the looks.
 
Did you drive the automatic or stick? It appears it was the automatic. The stick might provide more responsiveness.
 
How much feel did the steering have on the highway? That is a problem with electric steering on many cars.
 
How was the ride? How did it handle bumps and transitions? Floaty or buttoned down on the highway?
 
What options if any were on the car? Or was it a base model, no packages?
 
Did you check out the rear seat? How was the leg room and head room?
 
Me, I'm mostly after the FE, utility, and a nice interior. IMO the GT's interior is light years ahead that of the Mazda3's, from photos at least. Plus the fold-flat rear seats for lots of hauling room. But the Mazda3 is a blast to drive, especially with the stick.
 
BTW... any car would be more fun to drive than a Corolla.

Messages Page 6 of 11

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