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Posted on: Aug 18 2007

Hyundai Elantra

The lower D-segment is the fastest-growing slice of the market, and Hyundai wanted part of that pie. Enter the Elantra, the most successful Hyundai in Europe. Seeing Hyundai's success with cars like the Sonata and Accent, the company has every reason to be confident, but is the Elantra upto the task? :

Design, Engineering and Interiors:  
The flamboyantly styled Elantra shows much the Korean design ‘flair’ that is evident on the Sonata and the original Santro. The nose, modelled on the European Tuscani coupe, looks too fussy and gawky to most eyes.However, it has a low, sporty silhouette, and a very attractive, distinctive rear, and importantly, it is very recognisable as a Hyundai. The petrol version gets a revised, chromed-off grille and clear headlamps as opposed to the diesel's black, pod-style units. Suspension is independent all around, with MacPherson struts up front and a dual-link arrangement at the rear.

Hyundai has spent a great deal to ensure high safety standards, so the Elantra has both ABS and traction control, as well as Electronic Brake Force Distribution, a system that evens out braking forces. The Elantra has the distinction of being awarded a five-star rating for the side-impact test carried out by American safety authorities. Tyre choice, however, could have been more generous — the relatively low-profile 195/60 profile tyres are not as wide like those on the Skoda Octavia.

The interiors of the Elantra, like most Hyundai cars, exude a rich feel and are genuinely plush, with high-quality plastics and convincing fake wood. There are also lots of thoughtful touches, like the cardholder and plenty of cubby-holes. However, the styling isn't too fresh, apart from the vertical air-con vents and the lurid purple back-lighting for the dials, and although space is generous in front, rear headroom is restricted by the sloping roof, and the seat is set too low for real comfort.Equipment levels are very generous, the Elantra the only car in its class with standard ABS and traction control; plus, there’s a standard high-end stereo and trip computer.

Performance, Fuel Economy and Handling: 
The Elantra is powered by a common rail turbo-diesel engine; this 1991cc single cam, 16-valve four-cylinder unit is essentially the same as the three-cylinder Accent CRDi motor with an additional cylinder bolted on. However, this four-pot motor uses a larger turbo, to pump out a max of 112bhp and an even more impressive 25kgm of torque. It is highly refined and savagely powerful, suffering only from some turbo lag which offers driveability at low speeds. Fuel economy, at 11.6 and 14.7kpl, is good, but not exceptional for a diesel.

The other engine is a 127bhp 1.8-litre DOHC petrol, which is adequate but unenthusiastic. However, it’s pretty smooth during most workouts, getting slightly coarse only when you really push it. It’s a clean-revving, flexible and fuss-free engine, but lacks the punch of either its diesel sibling or of rivals like the Corolla. Low-speed response isn’t as sharp as you’d like, but it gets a great deal better after 3000rpm. It’s reasonably efficient, with 7.7kpl in the city and 13.5 on the highway. A stiff suspension set-up means the Elantra is very stable at high speeds, and inspires great confidence, but it doesn't have sporty responses and is tuned more for effortless cruising.

There is some understeer, and the traction control system, oddly, kicks in only when one front wheel is on a poor-grip surface. Sadly, the stiff suspension means the ride is not too supple, and occupants will feel most potholes and speedbreakers distinctly. The brakes are excellent, very powerful and progressive, and all the technology works well to keep braking distances short and straight.

Verdict:
The Elantra is a great overall package, a fast, efficient, luxury car, which is both spacious and dependable. The ride isn’t great, nor is rear-seat comfort, but the Elantra makes a strong case for itself, especially in diesel form. The Elantra may not be an inspiring car to drive, but it is a competent, good-value one and delivers a very large percentage of what you would expect from a saloon in this class. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see many Elantra’s on the road, it’s simply because people don’t know a good thing when they see it. To help it move out of the showrooms, Hyundai has offered a brilliant warranty, as well as substantial discounts —up to Rs 1.5 lakh off. Definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a luxury sedan but watch out for plummeting resale values.
Source: autocarindia.com