I agree almost completely with Justin’s assessment of the car with some exceptions:

I got the “theoretical manual transmission”, and it definitely makes the car faster and more fun to drive; the shifter is a bit rubbery and a moderate throw, but snicks into gears pretty consistently. The clutch is also very linear and predictable – the only complaint regarding driveability is an agressive throttle programming and light gas pedal that has you watching the tach, lest you be revving over 2 grand when you let out the clutch. Also, the ECU hangs onto revs between shifts, so casual driving requires you to let the revs drop before letting out the clutch. (It’s my understanding that this intentional behavior reduces emissions when shifting; this may be why the manual trans gets slightly worse city mileage). I do like the fact that if I stomp the “go pedal” I can chirp second gear (cool).

I don’t know if Justin drove the SE with the 16″ wheels and Khumo Solus skins, but it really handles quite well for a car of its height. There is some initial body roll, but if you keep pushing the car harder, it settles into corners and hangs on well enough. He’s spot-on about the steering, though, you have to look where your pointing the car to be sure.

The interior is just a nice place to be; well-finished and put together with a lot of small touches — the storage cubbies and even the passenger assist grips have a “soft return” action. The controls are well placed, and the parking brake lever (unlike the Civic) doesn’t rub on a tall driver’s leg, nor does the console, which doesn’t form a “tunnel” to trap your legs in. The “dead pedal” is just plastic, but it’s wide and well-placed.
The dash lighting is really nice (blue/white) and is perfect for me, as my peepers ain’t what they used to be; highly visible – and the controls (even the window switches) have blue illumination. The right-hand stalk for the windshield-wiper control is a bit long, so I’ve unintentionally activated it a couple of times; but it’s convienient and intuitive otherwise.
The headlamps are not automatic, but they turn off with the ignition switch (like my old Fiat 128)

A caveat: I’m 6′4″, so I found that the driver’s seat had insufficient thigh support, and that the manual seat height adjustment raises the seat, but also closer to the steering wheel — I bought some longer bolts and washers and was able to raise the front of the seat by 1″.
So, I’d say that my height is the upper limit for this car. No problem with headroom, to be sure.

The A/C is a bit on the weak side, but once the dash plastic cools; it’s reasonably good (don’t expect it to blow icicles two miles after turning it on). The climate control knobs are smooth in their operation; I beleive that the vent-switching is acheived with engine vacuum (no “clunks” or cables).

The stereo OK to good; fairly powerful, and the high-mounted tweeters are a nice touch; but the rear speakers are in the doors, so they’re not as direct as rear-deck mounts. The FM reception is only fair (rear window mounted antenna); the XM radio is good (except in hilly terrain), but the volume maxes out before the amplifiers are clipping. My MP3 player through the AUX jack is excellent – it sounds more like a “200W” system that way.

Reliability? Well, since March, I’ve only put 2500 miles on the car, as I live very close to work, and ride a motorcycle on nice days.
The only problems I’ve had were a rattle at idle (traced to the trunk spring rods popping out of their plastic support – secured with a cable tie) and the strange problem of the alarm going off on hot, partly cloudy days. I found on the Internet that turning the rubber hood stops in a turn would satisfy the underhood switch — it’s worked so far. The MPG readout is 2MPG optimistic. No other issues.

Mileage? Well, since I drive short distances much of the time, my mileage really takes a beating — If I drive directly to work, the engine temp guage is just starting to rise – I’ll get 25MPG. suburban 40-50MPH occasional stops: 27-28MPG. Highway 60MPH – 35-36MPG; 70 MPH – 33-34MPG.

Probably more than you needed to know, unless you’re interested.

BTW, if you want a hatch and if you wait a bit, the Elantra Touring will be out later this year – and it’s supposed to have a tighter suspension.

Singing off (finally)…

If I’d ever go and BUY a car with an auto shifter, I would insist on a 5+ years warranty plan for the gearbox, and I would still prefer if the auto shifter could have the manual controls.

I like to beat he average MPG ratings of any given car, so I shift manually and plan ahead when to put my feet away from the throttle and put the car into neutral before a planned slowing down or stops.

The top two choices are the ‘08 Elantra GLS and the ‘08 Mazda 3 GS. I also test drove the 08 Civic, Toyota Corola and the Toyota Matrix. Before my test drive day I had already eliminated the Focus, VW City Jetta, and the Nissan Versa.

The Elantra didn’t even make my initial list and I only stopped in because a friend of mine recommended the salesman. Now there is Truth! He was excellent as were the rest of the staff at the dealership! Compared to the VW dealer, who didn’t even call me back or the Toyota dealer who gave me the keys for the test drive and disappeared.

The Elantra was the biggest surprise for me. I discounted it originally because it looked so small in the pictures online. Getting inside of it and seeing that huge trunk space was really shocking. Coming from a Honda civic, the trunk in the Elantra is absolutely massive. As research confirmed, the Elantra has the largest trunk in it’s class, the largest interior, the most leg room and the largest back seat – out of all of these cars, it’s the roomiest. It is also the most fuel efficient (8L/100km city, 6L/100km hwy) And with a 2.0L, 4 cyl, DOHC, multi-port fuel injected, 16 valve motor – it’s zippy enough for an economy car. The braking was excellent. I test drove it on frozen, snow covered roads and held the corners and stopped better than anything else I have ever driven. (Notably bad in this department was the Matrix, which almost slid through a 4 way stop and went sideways when I tried to get it to go again).

The interior is way beyond what I thought a Hyundai interior would look like. It is classy, sporty and extremely comfortable for my 6′1″ height. The blue lights inside the dash and stereo are extended to the power window controls in the door. Just another really cool feature that reflects how much time and thought has gone into this car.

The Mazda 3 was the other runner up. It came out about $2000 more expensive for their “equivalently” optioned model. The truth here is that the Mazda 2 GLS is lacking a few features that the Elantra offers even in it’s base package.

Checking out the maintenance costs, the Elantra wins again. Forking out less money for oil changes and warranty inspections is a big bonus. It’s actually a very big bonus compared to Honda or VW. Hyundai has the best warranty and offers 3 years of free roadside assistance.

The financing plans available for Hyundai in January 08 in Canada include 0% purchase or lease financing. Only Mazda was willing to match that.

The Mazda 3’s interior is ugly. And yes, that’s my own opinion. I’m sure the raging red interior lighting and super dark black interior will suit others more than the Elantra’s blue.

Both the Elantra and the Mazda 3 look sexy from the outside. Unfortunately, the Mazda Alloy rims are an eyesore, as is the 100′ antenna sticking out of the back end of it. The Elantra has a mean look about it’s back end that reminds me of an Asian version of the Charger. When the Elantra is decked out in Black paint, that curve is a little more subtle.

Before my day of test drives, the Matrix was my favorite. Unfortunately, I drove it. It’s like a simulator for a minivan and the thing drove like a “special” bus. The interior of the Matrix looks like a van as well, with the shifter almost dangling out of the front dash board. I would have preferred a “3 on the tree” over this. My test drive lasted long enough to go around the block once and even that was too long.

To get to the same price as the Elantra, the Honda Civic would have to come without Air, without power windows or locks, without the fold down seats, without seats of any kind I’m sure. I sat in an ‘08 Civic for 1 minute. That was long enough to realize I would never, ever, ever want to look at that instrument panel again. It looks like a cross between a Civic and a Cylon. Cheap plastic clogged up the interior of the Civic, much like the Elantra.

The interior of the Corolla is utilitarian and lacking anything close to style. The Civic’s interior is way way over styled and The Elantra is just about right (except for the cheap silver plastic).

I’ve decided to go with the Elantra for a number of reasons, but what it comes down to is the bang for the buck. There is no other car in this class that comes remotely close for the price. If you don’t believe me, just ask your Honda dealer how much you have to spend to get heated seats, heated mirrors, and a 6 speaker, 200W stereo in a Civic.

Go Hyundai!

he’s saying “er no you can’t get unique design in Hyundais nor great resale value”
But he is saying “Yes! You can get rock solid reliability in Hyundais.”

Note this “third-rate knockoff” design was created by AMERICANS in California. I really can’t fault carmakers the drawing inspiration from other designs. Some older Honda Civics and Accords remind me of BMW and Mercedes and it makes them look classier. Elantra just shouldn’t copied the most generic parts of the Corolla.

General thoughts not addressing f8:
As I know most of these sites are written for car enthusiasts by car enthusiasts, people who value “driveability” and “performance” and “fun” over reliability and practicality.

Hyundai started this redesign in ‘04 when the Corolla actually looked a lot more snazzy compared to then super boring Civic. The 00-07 Corollas, boring or not, that is completely subjective, is a 7 stars out of 5 if you work sales into the equation. It is the winner by a mile. So it makes perfect sense to me for Hyundai to go after the same set of customers who made Corollas a mega-hit…not folks that haunt cartalk forums, but people who want a decent-looking, easy to drive, affordable, economical and reliable vehicle. They don’t fret about body roll or how fast they can hit 60 if they floor the pedal.

I think they did a bang-up job at coming up with an alternative to Corolla…as this and other reviews echo.

But the Corolla crowd is a cautious lot, not really willing to experiment, so winning sales from Toyota will be extremely difficult. Around the SF Bay Area, 07 Elantras are a rare sight. I see more Lexus IS250’s than Elantras.

I bought myself an Elantra and it is plenty fun to drive…that’s me coming from a 1993 Geo Prizm. I have had extended drives in rentals including driving a Mustang convertible down windy Hwy One, but I admit I don’t push a car enuff to notice the quirks/plusses that test editors find.

I did hate the Elantra’s light electronic steering (since the Prizm had hydraulic PS). Taking quick turns was sometimes scary. There is some feedback , just not that much, and I am sure the editor would have adapted to it if he had the car as long as I have. “It’s no Saturn Ion” is what i am saying.

And the shift points are a little weird compared to other cars I’ve had, most noticeable during gradual acceleration. (Maybe it is the CVVT or changes to the tranny to save gas)

Otherwise pretty satisfactory all around. I chose the car because of price and reliability and because there are 5,000 Corollas in my town, but I am beginning to appreciate the 4-wheel disc brakes, XM, MP3 port, sunroof, leather steering wheel, 16in-alloy wheels (all for 15,700). Owning this car may turn me into a budding car enthusiast.

“Er, no.

That’s a negatory, too.”

Are you saying that Civic’s design isn’t unique and it doesn’t have great resale value compared to Hyundai? If so, I don’t really know what to say to you. Go on a test drive, read the classifieds, see for yourself. Honestly though, Civic – even with the Star Wars-dashboard and greenhouse interior – is far more interesting visually than a third-rate knockoff of an old Toyota look by no-talent Korean designers.

Regarding Elantras reliability (i.e. transmissions), it’s a fact that it has one of the lowest warranty costs per vehicle in Hyundai’s current line up.

I absolutely agree with the comment that Hyundai has followed the path of Samsung and has made the make over from the joke de jour to a force to be reckoned with in the automotive market; albeit that force may be confined to every day joes that just want a fairly comfortable A to B ride.

[on an Elantra]Can you get featureslike unique design,
Er, no.

great resale value
That’s a negatory, too.

and rock-solid reliability
That one, yes.

ronin:

“No doubt the Civic is a more sporty feel, and better fuel economy. But after discounts it will cost you $2000 more, and you get fewer features and less support.”

Can you get features like unique design, great resale value, and rock-solid reliability on an Elantra? Because that stuff’s worth more than 2 grand for me – and for many others as well. And long warranty really means jack – most people don’t keep their cars for more than 3 years anyway, and Civics keep on rolling with few problems way past that.

I think the new Sonata is really sharp looking. And I know several people with 100K plus on their Sonatas with practically zero problems.

John

Read the test details, as a fuel leak occurred the first time and the airbags failed to deploy the second time around. Again.

I don’t get the last link. The 04-06 Elantra recieved a Good rating. Am I missing something?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gzFOP2t_blo

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=9

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=224

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”

Johnson:
I believe you can get some of those things, not all.

Which? No doubt the Civic is a more sporty feel, and better fuel economy. But after discounts it will cost you $2000 more, and you get fewer features and less support.

It doesn’t matter where they came from—its what is on the table now. As stated earlier—whats on the table for Hyundai is a couple tough years as their main courses (re: new product lineup)have not attracted enough new eaters to fill the restaurant.

Exactly. Hyundai does not do anything exceptionally well and they don’t differentiate in any meaningful way. They are simply trying to imitate Toyota and Honda.

Also, despite their entire product lineup being new or redesigned, they have been struggling sales-wise.

glenn126:
I read a few interesting tidbits about Hyundai lately. First, Automotive News recently wrote that Hyundai is planning to do a hybrid Elantra and Sonata by 2010. I also surmised from a few sources that it may well be that Hyundai may offer their new 2.2 litre diesel in their Sonata with a 5 speed automatic (this drivetrain is now sold in Europe in their larger Azera). This would possibly be coming by next autumn, they need to get the emissions in check for the US market. I also read that an upcoming V6 diesel is going to be available in the Veracruz SUV.

An almost entirely new product line-up has not helped Hyundai sales, so I doubt hybrids or diesel offerings will ignite their sales.

glenn126:
Didn’t anyone else see the prez of Toyota’s statement translated from Japanese just the other day? “Hyundai is a formidable enemy”. I guess in US PC-speak, it would have come out “Hyundai is a formidable competitor”. But perhaps the Japanese don’t have to be as PC as we think we do, and can actuall speak truth! Ha.

Toyota considers everyone a formidable competitor. It’s part of their paranoia-filled corporate culture. Even a small competitor is considered formidable by Toyota. Quite smart when you think about it as it reduces complacency in the company.

ronin:
Let’s see. Can we get stability control on a Civic? Traction control? A 5/10 warranty? 5 year roadside assistance free? Factory satellite radio? Heated seats? A $2000 savings? More interior room than anyone else in the segment (Sentra possible exception).

I believe you can get some of those things, not all. Besides, you can get things on a Civic that you can’t get on an Elantra, like a solid reputation for reliability, unique interior/exterior styling, great fuel economy, and a sporty fun ride that has a good comfort/handling compromise.

ra_pro:
Hyundai is the Samsung of the auto industry. It went from being the laughing stock to a genuine value leader as well as real quality rival to the Japanese.

Not quite. Samsung went from laughing stock to (very quickly) value and quality rival to the Japanese to where it is now: an innovative company in it’s own right that has stopped copying the Japanese and is forging it’s own path and identity in the marketplace. Hyundai isn’t quite there yet.

It you can throw a football and have $69, will give you 30% off our price to take this “snorecar” home.

Yes Honda and Toyota are good cars Again ang Again(Everyone knows that) and Hyundai sucks..Is that what We said about Mazda 30 years ago that they suck too?

Transmission problem, probably if you don’t know how to drive an Automatic it will break. to be a tail gater and Stop and Go ooops stop and go again driver.

American Consumer is again dictated by the Media.
By the way who killed the electric cars in California 15 years ago? US… who else

And I seem to rent NOTHING but Sonatas lately, and they are the most inoffensive car I’ve ever used. If they had a wagon, I would at least think about buying one and driving it into the dirt over the next two decades or so. But one commenter here, I think a month ago or so, mentioned the MANDATORY timing chain/belt replacement on Hyundais, which is like a four-figure repair? If that’s true of all Hyundais, forget that, I’ll get a Honda.

As for stars, it’s too trite to go with half stars, but the rating summary and performance review are what really tell the story.