I have a Hyundai Elantra Touring for a week, does anyone have questions?

[bradyholt]

Picked up this manufacturer press vehicle today, and I have it through next Monday. I'll be putting up a full review at that point, but is there any specific aspect of the car anyone would be curious about that I should specifically look for?



More photos at link:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...-Touring-Day-1

[Hitman1970]

If you have experience with a Hyundai Elantra GT hatch I would like a comparison to that vehicle. Also a comparison to an Astra 5 door would be good.

Ease of storage. Type of material in cargo area. What is the color scheme of the guages? Do they match the radio color scheme?

How does it handle merging on the highway?

Thanks for asking.

[Tone]

A couple of things:

First -- what's the rear-seat room like for families? Could you fit three car seats -- doubtful, I know, but that would be enough to keep many out of SUVs/CUVs.

What's the ride/handling like -- this looks like a bit of a Mazda3 competitor. Does it drive like one?

What's the NVH like -- this seems incredibly priced for what it offers. Has Hyundai cut corners in refinment to deliver features and price?

[eurohazard]

I have a question...

Why couldn't you park in the lines......is the visibility that poor?

lol, just kidding!

It's interesting that they copied Toyota's dumbest styling trend......the melted emblem through the top of the grill look. Can you take pictures of the cargo area, with some grocery bags inside to give a nice perspective? Thanks Brady.

[bradyholt]

I'll post some photos of the interior/cargo area tomorrow, including detail shots of the areas mentioned but no grocery bags quite yet. (If I don't end up getting any significant amount of groceries by next Monday, which is possible, what would be a good substitute for that same perspective of cargo volume?)

I'll also have a better idea of the driving dynamics tomorrow; it was raining today so I just had a few miles on the interstate.

I've never driven the old Elantra or the Astra, but I can say it has a lot more passenger and cargo space than either of them, as it's a true wagon instead of just a hatchback.

[wildgoosechase]

How about some video on how it performs doing e-brake donuts....

[mattyman1010]

I think the i30 is a much better name then Elantra. Keep up with the times Hyundai US

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by wildgoosechase

How about some video on how it performs doing e-brake donuts....

If I ever felt the urge to do that in someone else's car, I'd like to think I'd have better sense than to distribute video evidence.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by mattyman1010

I think the i30 is a much better name then Elantra. Keep up with the times Hyundai US

LOL. The thing is...........Infiniti had a model called the I30 a few years back. It was basically a Nissan Maxima that was priced higher, had more standard features, and had a better warranty.

[Millefune]

Lucky you! I hope you crash it (but come out unscathed).

[Rotorocket]

Let us know if this is one of the few Hyundais, at any price point, that doesn't have a suspension marred by rattling, ka-thunking or other similar issues.

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by Rotorocket

Let us know if this is one of the few Hyundais, at any price point, that doesn't have a suspension marred by rattling, ka-thunking or other similar issues.

Haven't noticed anything like that yet, but I'll let you know if I do.

[bradyholt]

Day 2 update:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...-Touring-Day-2

More answers to specific questions are on the way.

[bradyholt]

Lots of photos and info about the cargo area: (everyone's favorite subject, I'm certain)

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...rgo-management

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by Tone

A couple of things:

First -- what's the rear-seat room like for families? Could you fit three car seats -- doubtful, I know, but that would be enough to keep many out of SUVs/CUVs.

I'm no car seat expert, but I'd say no. If they're as big as I'm imagining (and I assume they're even bigger than I'd picture), you'd be lucky to fit a person between two seats in the rear, much less a third seat.

What's the ride/handling like -- this looks like a bit of a Mazda3 competitor. Does it drive like one?

It's surprisingly close, if still tuned a bit more for ride comfort and quietness than the 3. It doesn't have the steering feel or effort of the 3, but the suspension control and grip is all there.

What's the NVH like -- this seems incredibly priced for what it offers. Has Hyundai cut corners in refinment to deliver features and price?[/quote]

It's not all that inexpensive, really. $18k base for a compact car -- even a very roomy compact car -- is hardly bargain-basement. However, there were no flaws that jump out as caused by cost-cutting, and NVH is generally very good. Hyundai has done pretty well for a while now at minimizing noise and vibration at idle, and that continues here. The engine runs at high rpms on the highway, but that's a gearing issue rather than a cost-cutting measure.