Category Archives: Elantra

Driven: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

By Brandon Turkus

July 19, 2012

—Brooklyn, Michigan

Look, we’ll come right out and say it: we like small wagons and hatchbacks a lot. The formula is so simple: take a popular sedan, expand the trunk vertically, give it some unique styling, and voila, you get a small wagon. Besides maintaining the small-car driving dynamics of the donor car, you get a level of junk hauling that can’t be had outside of a small SUV/CUV.

Hyundai’s Elantra Touring was a prime example of a good small wagon. This European import was based on the Hyundai i30 and managed to combine style and function in a reasonably priced, efficient package. Folding the backseats down gave access to 65.3 cubic feet of space; just short of the cavernous Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen’s 66.8 cubic feet in a vehicle that was almost three inches shorter overall.

For 2013, though, the Elantra Touring has been replaced by this, the Elantra GT. Right off the bat, though, we were skeptical of this new body style. While the old Touring was a dedicated wagon, the Elantra GT is technically a five-door hatch, and it loses cargo volume accordingly. It’s down from a maximum 65.3 cubic feet to 51 cubic feet, although with the second row up, there’s less of a sacrifice, only 1.3 cubic feet is lost (23 cubic feet versus 24.3 in the old model). Overall interior volume is down from 125.5 to 119 cubic feet.

Consequently, Hyundai’s bogey is no longer the Jetta Sportwagen, but is far more diverse for 2013. Primary competitors are listed as the Mazda3, Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Golf, and Toyota Matrix (all in five-door hatch configurations, where applicable). The Elantra GT looks to be a fair match for this competitive set for multiple reasons, not the least of which is age; the Mazda3 and VW Golf aren’t long for this world in their current iterations, and the Toyota Matrix has been a zombie since NUMMI was taken over by Tesla. Only the Focus and Impreza have been updated recently.

Part of our love of affordable long-roofs is the unique style that these cars have over the more traditional sedans they are based on. In the GT’s case, it shares its face with the rest of the Elantra range, but walks a line between the blacked-out grille of the Coupe and the more docile face of the Sedan.

It’s clear from the profile that this is more hatchback than wagon, as the D-pillar slopes rather aggressively, leaving a fairly small window between the rear pillars. This doesn’t really impact visibility all that much, as the view through the two side windows is pretty good. The rear window itself is adequately sized, and we had no real complaints about rear visibility. Out back, a subtle spoiler is present, along with the standard wrap-around taillights. In a cool premium twist, the rear-view camera hides behind the Hyundai logo, popping up when the car is slotted into reverse.
Inside, it’s the same clean, stylish, and well-finished interior that we’ve seen on other Elantra models. Plastics feel no better or worse here than in any other Hyundai. While we understand the reasoning behind all three models boasting identical interiors, one of the highlights of the old Touring was that its interior was different from the sedan, and felt more high-class because of it. On the GT, it loses that specialness, and just feels like any other Elantra.

To be honest, we really aren’t going to say all that much about the Elantra GT’s powertrain, because we give fairly in-depth reviews of it here and here. It’s the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder that’s found in the Coupe and Sedan, delivering 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. It also nets 39 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed manual is standard, while a six-cog autobox with a manual mode is an optional extra.

The Elantra GT is Hyundai’s first model to sport the brand’s new Driver Selectable Steering Mode system. Basically, this system allows drivers to switch between three different levels (creatively called Comfort, Normal, and Sport) of steering effort. Comfort requires the least effort, while Sport requires the most. The system is operated via a steering-wheel-mounted button, with the instrument cluster display showing which mode the driver is in.

We tested all three modes, and found the results to be negligible. There’s maybe a 15- to 20-percent difference in steering effort between Comfort and Normal, and Normal and Sport. It’s nice, but we feel like it’d make a lot more sense for this system to be on the Veloster Turbo, Genesis Coupe, or even the Elantra Coupe, rather than a five-door hatchback with no sporting pretenses.

In terms of on-road character, the GT is much more like the Sedan than the Coupe. That’s a good thing, as the Coupe’s rougher ride doesn’t do it any favors. Instead, the GT feels smoother over rougher sections of tarmac. Its biggest issue remains the level of vertical motion over undulating pavement, but it manages rougher stuff much better. While the Coupe would sidestep and feel unstable in mid-corner bumps, the GT is more composed. There still isn’t a great deal of feedback on hand here, but it’s about par for the course in this category.

Let’s be honest though, people that buy the Elantra GT are interested in practicality. Those buyers certainly won’t be disappointed. We mentioned the five-door GT boasts 51 cubic feet of space with the back seats folded down, and 23 cubic feet with the second row up. To put that in perspective, the only car in this class that has more space is the Subaru Impreza (but only by one cubic foot of cargo volume). Helping the cargo situation is a clever storage space under the floor of the trunk area that looks big enough to handle items that may slide around too much when left alone.

Backseat space is tolerable, as we were able to stuff Senior Editor John Beltz Snyder behind your six-foot, one-inch author with only a modicum of complaining. Those same backseats cleverly flip forward and fold flat, presenting a nice, wide loading space.

The hatchback has the highest starting price in the Elantra range at $18,395. Unlike the other two body styles, though, the GT is features only one trim level. In place of dedicated trim levels are two packages, the Style Package and the Tech Package. The Style Pack ($2750) includes a sport-tuned suspension, panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and seventeen-inch alloys. The Tech Pack ($2350) features navigation, a rearview camera, automatic headlights, and push-button start. Opting for the six-speed automatic will run another $1000. That makes for a fully loaded model running $25,245, out the door.

The pricing equation works out well for the GT. Its starting price bests everything but the Volkswagen Golf by around $1000. Optioned up, as our tester was and the Elantra GT still makes a fair bit of sense, costing around the same price as a loaded Subaru Impreza or Mazda3, and undercutting a navigation-and-leather-equipped Ford Focus by just over $2000. Even if price isn’t your determining factor, 39 mpg on the freeway and the sheer amount of cargo space make the Elantra GT a fine choice for a small wagon.

2013 Hyundai Elantra GTEngine: Inline-four, 1.8 liters, 16v
Output: 148 hp/131 lb-ft
Weight: 2784 lb
Fuel Economy, City/Hwy: 39/27 mpg
Cargo Volume, 2nd Row Up/Down: 23/51 cu ft
Base Price: $18,395
On Sale: Now

Hyundai Elantra Is Top Selling Car in Canada

In December, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. flew a bunch of automotive journalists to San Diego to test out the Hyundai Elantra. Steve Kelleher, Hyundai Canada’s chief executive told the journalists that he predicted that the Hyundai Elantra will be the best selling car in Canada in 2011. While such a confident claim isn’t unique among workers at their own car company, what is unique however is that (so far at least) what Steve Kelleher predicted has come true.

When the industry’s January sales figures arrived earlier this month–pronouncing Elantra as the best selling vehicle, of any type, in Canada–Mr. Kelleher admitted he was tempted to send the group of journalists an “I told you so” note.” (http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Hyundai+gobble+market+share/4320281/story.html)

Though I doubt Mr. Kelleher actually sent the automotive reporters an “I told you so” note, the fact that Kelleher’s prediction came true bespeaks to the quality of the Hyundai Elantra. Getting not only mostly positive, but stellar reviews, it’s easy to see what the Hyundai Elantra is selling so well.

Worlds Most Beautiful Cars

What do the Audi R8 Spyder, the Alfa 8C Spider, the Aston Martin DBS, the
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the 2011 Elantra all have in common????

Well check out the below link as they were all named to the list of the
World’s Most Beautiful Cars!!! If you have a customer on the fence show
them the design company the Elantra is keeping!!!!

Ad push prior to the Super Bowl

This weekend marks the official launch of the 2011 Elantra on the AFC Championship game.  Below is a note from our marketing dept. explaining our big presence during the third quarter of this weekend’s game.   Hyundai is also mentioned in USA Today as one of three companies (Anheuser Busch and Audi are the other two) who are previewing/taking advantage of the AFC Championship to get a jump on their Super Bowl ads.

As the 2010 NFL Season draws nearer to a climatic close with its two championship games this weekend, HMA is flexing its muscle by overtaking the 3Q of the AFC Championship Game!  Hyundai has signed on for the big AFC game between the New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.   The game is an excellent way in which to announce the arrival of our perennial Pro-Bowl vehicle, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.  The Championship Game is one of the top five most watched programs of the year {35 million viewers} and provides us with a unique opportunity to unveil the new campaign for the Elantra called “Snap Out of It.”  The distinctive “Snap Out of It” campaign tackles the issue of years of consumer complacency within the compact car segment.  By showing the current doldrums view of the compact car market, the 2011 Elantra stands out from the pack with its distinctive fluidic design, best in class front legroom and 40 MPG.  The 2011 Elantra typifies what it takes to win in the NFL…teamwork.  The sum of the Elantra parts is what makes this vehicle so unique and eye-catching from the rest of the competition, that we do not need any special gimmicks to promote this great package.  It blitzes the audience into snapping out of their current small, bland and uninspiring compact car and demands them to pay attention to the Elantra in a very unique way.  The AFC Championship Game can be seen on Sunday, January 23rdat 6:30 p.m. EST on CBS.  Hyundai has sacked the 3Q for auto-exclusivity to showcase portions of the new campaign by airing two new Elantra spots entitled “Sheep” and “Childhood.” Sheep is a spot that shows how we have become complacent in the compact car segment by not demanding more from our vehicles and accepting what everyone is drives in the segment and the Childhood spot talks about how we have been conditioned from an early age to accept that all compact cars must be cramped.  All of the “Snap Out of it” spots tout that the 40-MPG Elantra is here and ready to become a real game-changer in the category. In addition to the two new Elantra spots, we will also be airing two current Sonata spots to complete the playbook for the 3Q rotation.  To view the two new Elantra “Snap Out of It” campaign spots that will make their debut on the AFC Championship Game, please click on the Marketing Blog link – http://www.hyundaimarketingblog.com/index.aspx.

Hyundai Elantra Earns Highest Residual Value in its Class in the 2011 ALG Residual Value Awards

ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, today announced its 12th annual Residual Value Awards, honoring vehicles across 19 different segments and two brands that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their MSRP after a three-year period. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra topped the competitive compact segment, winning ALG’s award for the highest residual value in its class.

The 2011 Residual Value Awards are based on the entire model year forecast of 2011 products. Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand and pricing and marketing strategies are among the key factors that affect ALG’s residual value forecasts.

Hyundai’s win of the mid-compact segment highlights the growing reputation of the brand, as well as its impressive new product push,” said Raj Sundaram, Senior Vice President, Solutions Group and ALG. “The all-new 2011 Elantra shines with standard luxurious features and a modest price tag, and it’s expected to be a favorite of young drivers like the VW Jetta and Mazda3 before it.”

The all-new 2011 Elantra encompasses Hyundai’s latest ambitions including “Fluidic Sculpture” design, advanced safety technologies and best-in-class 40 mpg highway fuel economy. It took 33 months to develop the all-new Elantra and four years to bring it to market. The 2011 Elantra launches with new 1.8-liter “Nu” engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission.

“Achieving such tremendous value retention speaks to the overall quality and merit of the Elantra,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Vehicles that retain their value in the long-term offer a lower overall cost of ownership to the customer, allowing Hyundai to offer strong lease options to consumers and better resale value at trade-in time for our customers who purchase their vehicles.”

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit: www.alg.com.

ALG

Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG (www.alg.com) is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the “Automotive Lease Guide” – the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

2011 Hyundai Elantra: First Look

* Competes with: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus
* Looks like: An aggressive compact sedan
* Drivetrain: 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine; six-speed manual or automatic transmission
* Hits dealerships: 2011

Hyundai busted sales records with its revamped Sonata midsize sedan earlier this year, and it looks like it will do the same when the new Elantra goes on sale next year.

The just-announced Elantra will use the same formula as the Sonata, offering a high level of refinement, value and performance for a good price. However, this model has a not-so-secret weapon: 40 mpg standard.

While the Chevy Cruze and smaller Ford Fiesta promise 40 mpg highway or better, they do so only in special trims or with certain transmissions. The new Elantra gets an EPA-estimated 29/40 mpg city/highway and 33 mpg combined. That’s the exact same mileage as the smaller Fiesta SFE.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it looks like the base GLS model will come without air conditioning and a few other conveniences to deliver a low price. It still comes with power windows, a six-speaker stereo system and USB port.

The GLS Popular Equipment Package can be added. It includes air conditioning, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel and 16-inch steel wheels.

The Limited trim will come loaded with leather seating, automatic transmission, black chrome grille, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, heated front and rear seats, and Bluetooth connectivity.

A navigation system with 7-inch screen is available as an option on either trim level.

By David Thomas
Cars.com

Five Reasons To Put the 2010 Hyundai Elantra on Your New Car Shopping List

Time was, Hyundai cars were a bit of a joke in this country. After a strong launch here in 1986 by selling sedan and hatchback versions of its Excel subcompact the firm managed to get a reputation for manufacturing less than high quality cars.

But that all changed with the introduction of Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000 mile warranty on all vehicles. And fortunately for the South Korean firm, this coincided with the company seeing its quality rankings improve to Honda- and Toyota-like levels.

With that as background, here are five reasons to consider the 2010 Hyundai Elantra.

Reason 1: Like Any Hyundai, the 2010 Elantra is a Screaming Bargain

Hyundais in this country have always sold in part on the strength of their high value-to-content ratio, and the Elantra is no different. With prices starting at $14,120 for a five-speed GLS model, Hyundai is still managing to keep its pricing humble.

Do take into account that any GLS purchaser will no doubt want the $1,700 popular equipment package, as it is the only way to get air conditioning.

Reason 2: Check out that Warranty

Even though Hyundai’s 10-year warranty is no longer revolutionary–what with brands like Suzuki copying the idea–who wouldn’t like to buy a new car with coverage for that long?

The most catastrophic thing that can happen to a car owner who is still making payments is the failure of a transmission or engine. With the Hyundai Elantra and its generous warranty, you never have to worry about it.

Reason 3: The 2010 Elantra Touring Model

If you’re on a tight budget for a new vehicle but know that your load-carrying needs extend beyond a sedan’s capability, check out the Hyundai Elantra Touring, a new model last year.

Known as the Hyundai i30 in Europe, this ultra-cool hatchback just oozes European charm and panache. Prices for the Elantra Touring maxed out at $17,800 for a well equipped 2009 model. The only option was a sunroof.

This year Hyundai saw fit to take out many features that made the Touring cool and created a version for $1800 less. Buy the top-line Touring model, or buy the sedan.

Reason 4: A Hyundai is as Reliable as a Toyota or Honda?

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a hyper-reliable Hyundai. In the latest J.D. Power quality surveys, Hyundai found its way into the upper echelon of car manufacturers, right below Honda and above Toyota.

Honestly, though, it makes sense that Hyundai would make their vehicles as reliable as possible. They don’t want to foot the bill for repairs from those seemingly endless warranties.

Reason 5: Since When Does Hyundai Equal Performance?

Time was that economy cars were tinny penalty boxes, with little or no concern for the latest safety and performance advances. But just check out the specs on the 2010 Hyundai Elantra.

All Elantras come with a 138-horsepower 2.0-liter engine with 16 valves, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. For drivers seeking the utmost in control, Hyundai offers a five-speed manual transmission on all models.

As you might expect, most of the Hyundai Elantra’s competition comes in the form of the ubiquitous Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. But everyone drives one of those, and the Elantra is on average $2,000 to $3,000 less than comparable versions of these Japanese models.

In buying an Elantra, not only do you get the joy of driving something unique, but you will have money left over to do something irrational … like buy a whole new clothes wardrobe.

In Milan, Italy.

GreenCarReports.com

2010 Hyundai Elantra Lineup Saves Gas And Goes Blue

Hyundai has made a very smart choice on its Elantra sedan for 2010: improved its fuel economy. And at the center of the improvement is a new frugal base model: the Elantra Blue.

Through some relatively simple engineering enhancements–such as a smart alternator, lower-friction components, and revised/taller gear ratios, along with revised engine calibration–Hyundai has improved fuel efficiency on the Elantra Blue (versus last year’s Elantra models) by up to eight percent. EPA ratings now stand at 26 mpg city, 35 highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission–up from 24 mpg city, 33 highway on last year’s model.

Due to “smart engineering enhancements” on other Elantra GLS and SE models, fuel economy ratings have gone up about one mpg in both city and highway ratings, to 26 mpg city, 34 highway.

Throughout the model line, the changes have been achieved while preserving the engine’s power output. All models remain powered by a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; PZEV versions make 132 hp.

Unfortunately, these changes don’t apply to the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring sport wagon.

Prices are mostly unchanged, with the base Blue model just $25 higher than last year’s GLS. The base Blue, at a $14,145 MSRP, includes power heated mirrors, power locks and windows, keyless entry, a split-folding rear seatback, and a tilt (though not telescopic) steering wheel. Options include air conditioning, an upgraded 172-watt audio system with MP3 compatibility, iPod and USB inputs, and cruise control. In short, it’s a gas-saver but not a blue-light special.

The GLS moves a bit upscale from last year, adding most of those options plus a few more minor features, such as fog lamps, while the top-of-the-line SE includes steering-wheel audio controls, leather trim, telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, sport-tuned steering and suspension, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Of note is that the fuel-economy improvements in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue model don’t involve an extra-cost package (such as in the 2010 Kia Forte) or the need to step up to a higher-priced model. Hyundai points out in a release that the 2010 Elantra Blue is priced lower than base models of the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 2010 Ford Focus, 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2009 Honda Civic.

General Motors likely revived this trend toward special trims of small-models with improved fuel economy. Last year GM produced an improved-efficiency XFE version of its Chevrolet Cobalt last year.

In the 1980s and into the 1990s, automakers produced various high-mpg trims such as the Dodge Omni Miser, Honda CRX HF, and Chevrolet Sprint ER

TheCarConnection.com

Hyundai Genesis and Elantra Named AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award Winners

Hyundai models top Audi and Ford competitors in respective categories

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/29/2009 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific named the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Elantra 2009 Ideal Vehicles in their respective categories. In the Aspirational Luxury Car category, the Hyundai Genesis beat out top rivals including the Audi A5 and A4, Volvo XC70 and Cadillac CTS, while the Hyundai Elantra topped the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Kia Spectra in the Compact Car segment. Additionally, the Hyundai Sonata finished second in the Premium Mid-Size Car segment.

AutoPacific’s fourth annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) rank auto manufacturers for how closely their 2009 model-year cars or trucks came to matching owners’ expectations and criteria. To determine the winners, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their new car or truck on how close it came to “ideal” in 15 different categories ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage. The vehicles that customers said they would change the least were considered the most “ideal.”

Hyundai has created two vehicles that owners say are nearly perfect just the way they are: their ideal vehicle,” said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific. “Owners of the Genesis and Elantra indicated through AutoPacific’s survey that they are driving a vehicle that meets their expectations, meaning they desire little to no change to their vehicle.”

“Having our models recognized for AutoPacific’s 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into all the vehicles in the Hyundai lineup,” said Scott Margason, director of Product and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “At Hyundai, we strive to exceed customer expectations in safety, quality and performance and look forward to continuing to develop more award winning vehicles.”

Hyundai’s Genesis sedan sets a new benchmark in the premium car category. With a starting price of just $33,000, Genesis includes performance and luxury features typically found on vehicles costing thousands of dollars more.

The Hyundai Elantra has unsurpassed standard safety in the compact segment and is equipped with six standard airbags. Elantra includes many extras like standard audio auxiliary input jack – all at an affordable price point any customer will appreciate.

AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies for the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Additional information can be found at AutoPacific.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

Man squeaks by with his life in Hollywood-style smash-up

HOPEWELL TWP. — A lucky motorist escaped with his head — and his life — yesterday when his little Hyundai ran under a tanker truck on Route 31 and was scrunched to a crippling halt.

Ernest Tkac, a retired engineering drafting salesman who lives in Bucks County, Pa., confounded alarmed witnesses when he stepped out of the car unscathed, a smile on his face.

Police shook his hand, a news photog snapped pictures of the miracle in progress, and a reporter told him it was good to still have him around.

“Sometimes we get lucky,” said township Police Chief George Meyer.

Both vehicles had been heading north on Pennington Road (Route 31) here near Crest Avenue at about 3:20 p.m. The huge tanker, apparently loaded with municipal waste and operated by Gary W. Gray Trucking of Delaware, N.J., was in the passing lane, while Tkac’s Hyundai was in the right-hand slow lane.

For some reason, Tkac apparently made a left turn and disappeared under the tanker! The belly of the truck was actually tall enough in the middle for the Hyundai Elantra to get under it. But the back wheels of the truck began wedging the car, and denting it, dragging it under there for perhaps 30 feet.

“It got wedged underneath, that’s all,” said a police officer who gave Tkac a ride to Colonial Cadillac/Hyundai afterwards. “He walked right out. I drove the car right out from under the truck.” And the undamaged truck drove off.

Tkac was ticketed for failure to keep right. He was last seen at a desk in the dealership talking to his auto insurance carrier — apparently preparing to buy another Hyundai to replace his totaled car.

“Good car,” he said. “One of the best cars in the world.”

To a customer eyeing the new Genesis coupe, Ernie exclaimed, “Buy two of them, one for you, one for your son!”

By Trentonian Staff
Trentonian.com