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.

 

Ease of storage.

There's lots of cargo space and lots of cupholders, and small mesh pouches on the front seatbacks. The glovebox isn't too big though, and the top segment of the two-tiered front armrest doesn't hold much. Deep door bins.

Type of material in cargo area.

Carpeted cardboard, I guess is the term. It's not thick/rich, but it's not flimsy-feeling either, and it's not the solid plastic some cars use (which has its own advantages and disadvantages).

The material over the wheel wells felt a step down from what they used on the cargo floor and rear seatbacks, however.

What is the color scheme of the guages? Do they match the radio color scheme?

Gauges and instrument lighting is blue, except for a small orange "passenger airbag off" indicator on the center stack.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Why does the grille look like the 2007 Accords or the 2007-present Saturn's?

The whole chrome bar across the top w/ the manufacturer's emblem is pretty common on European models (Opel does it as well as Saturn).

Mitsu was probably the first to do so.

I wouldn't buy one but....

We all know you wouldn't ever buy a Hyundai, so is it really necessary to say so on every thread about Hyundai?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Day 2 update:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-C...017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d21-A-week-in-the-2009-Hyundai-Elantra-Touring-Day-2

More answers to specific questions are on the way.

 

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

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-C...er~y2009m4d23-A-week-in-the-2009-Hyundai-Elantra-Touring-Day-3-cargo-management

 

Brady -- thanks.

We have two kids and a Mazda Protege and it sounds like the seats fit into the Elantra pretty much the same as they do in the Protege -- two is the limit with very little space between them.

We're still not sure if we are going for #3, but I'm trying to keep it in mind for the next car. I probably just need to suck it up and get a minivan, but I prefer smaller, tigher handling cars.

Interestingly, the Chevy Impala I rented last year appeared like it could probably handle two car seats and a booster (it handled two carseats with a room for a small passenger).

That impressed me as the Impala -- though techncially a large car -- isn't huge.

 

Minivans aren't small, but they can be pretty agile. I'd try out the car seats in some compact SUVs and midsize sedans though first, just to see if you can get three across the rear bench.

And the Impala does have some issues with rear seat legroom for it's size, but it's undeniably wide.

 

What is the gas mileage like? I only ask because this car is on my short list for when it comes time to buy.

 

I've been averaging just over 30 mpg, according to the trip computer. It's rated at 31 highway and it doesn't look like I'll be beating that; I'm accustomed to trouncing EPA figures when I drive a car.

 

hows the subframe?

 

Nice! :lmao:

 

Today's update: sitting in and seeing out of the Elantra Touring:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-C...eek-in-the-2009-Hyundai-Elantra-Touring-Day-5-seats-interior-details-visibility

 

Why does the grille look like the 2007 Accords or the 2007-present Saturn's?

lol

 

A multi-posting, in a short times? WOW. This is actually the German designed, European Hyundai they brought over to US under Elantra name right? I still prefer the look of the Kia version(Ceed), but to me, the look ain't that bad compared to the other nonsence Hyundai has on their line-ups. I wouldn't buy one but....

 

I don't know anything about it being German-designed, but it's the European-market "i30 estate."

 

The i30, along w/ the Kia Cee'd, were designed at their European design centers in Rüsselsheim and Frankfurt.

Then is it really necessary for you to follow EVERY topic I write about Korean brand and criticize about what I have to write there? Huh? I guess it's the same thing then, bud. I don't have a problem with that, but that's something I noticed on every topic that has to deal with Hyundai or Kia. Didn't think I notice the pattern huh?

It wouldn't be necessary if I didn't have to refute your ridiculous claims or ignorant comments - it's as simple as that.

 

Drove out to Shenandoah National Park for a bit of hiking today. Updates on highway comfort, refinement, and gas mileage, and details on how the car handles mountain roads.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-C...eek-in-the-2009-Hyundai-Elantra-Touring-Day-7-traveling-to-and-on-Skyline-Drive

 

Seeing as how its a rental car, can you get its MPGs into the single digits?

 

Nope, I kept it above 30 mpg.

Does it have Automatic Lighting? Entry/Exit Lighting? Retained Accessory Power? Remote Start? Outside Temperature Display? Integrated Compass? Automatic Climate Control?

I see it has a Trip Computer. How comprehensive is the info? Does it include an Oil Monitor and Tire Pressure Monitor?

I took the car back yesterday, but I'll try to answer these from memory:

Automatic lighting: if you mean automatic headlights, I don't think so. If not, not sure what you mean.
Entry/exit lighting: do you mean a dome lamp? If so, yes. If not, not sure what you mean.
Retained accessory power: no. The gas gauge stays in place while the car is off and the odometer appears when you open the door, but otherwise you need the key in at least accessory model.
Remote start: no
Outside temperature display: yes, it appears next to the clock on the stereo screen
Compass: no
Automatic climate control: my car did not, but the owners' manual showed the setup for one.
Trip computer: it has average speed, average mpg, and miles to empty, but I don't think anything more than that. I think the tire-pressure monitor is an idiot light rather than a readout, and I never saw anything about the oil. I also don't recall seeing an option for instantaneous fuel mileage.

 

Does it have Automatic Lighting? Entry/Exit Lighting? Retained Accessory Power? Remote Start? Outside Temperature Display? Integrated Compass? Automatic Climate Control?

I see it has a Trip Computer. How comprehensive is the info? Does it include an Oil Monitor and Tire Pressure Monitor?

 

I have a 2009 hyundai elantra touring, does anyone know how to clean the fabric upholstery inside?? I have water stains not even dirt and it looks terrible