Hyundai Elantra a fantastic car for the price...
The Hyundai Elantra competes against two of the best selling cars of all time - the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic - and holds its own and then some. The Elantra design was clearly based to some extent on its Toyota and more so Honda rivals, but Hyundai hit such a home-run with the newest Elantra design that you can see the other two manufacturers have taken styling cues from it. The Elantra does the amazing, nearly impossible job of feeling both heavy and solid like a luxury cruiser, yet light and sporty like a sports car. This is all the more amazing given that it is aimed at the affordable, small family daily commuter car.
The Elantra gets great gas mileage highway - I've recorded up to 42 actual, per fill-ups mpg returning from.out of state during colder winter months, yet the car easily has enough power to accelerate on to the highway from ramps, or to passing lanes, and to cruise comfortably in the fast lane.
The car feels nimble and sporty making lane changes or tight turns, but also feels solid and comfortable with minimum noise at highway speeds.
I find the seats, dash, trim & features to be comfortable if not luxurious, despite being only 1 or 2 notches up.on the trim scale (GL?)
My main interior regret is that the center console storage box doesn't have a split lid on top for keys, change, and small items that my previous Hyundai had... but it is far bigger and deeper than most other similar cars I've seen. I brought the dash and door trim back to like new lustre with leather protectant I purchased at the dealer - for me, long term good looks is more important than fancy, new, expensive looking trim.
In city driving, the Elantra's mpg falls off compared to a hybrid... but with the Elantra straddled by the smaller Hyundai Ionic and larger Sonata hybrids, it is only a matter of time until this proven winner becomes an affordable hybrid as well.
Recommended
Verified Owner
