CTC Review: 2007 Hyundai Elantra GL

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2007 Hyundai Elantra GL Day 1: Click Image to Enlarge Another week, another car.  This week, it's the 2007 Hyundai Elantra GL Comfort Auto - quite a mouthful of a name.  This car is the final installment of Hyundai's recent revitalization, having been proceeded by the Santa Fe, Accent, Entourage, Azera, Sonata and Tucson.  The Elantra competes in one of the hottest segments in Canada the - compact sedan segment - so it certainly has its work cut out for itself. More ...

[airbalancer]

How hard is to got from a top of line Aura to Elantra.
I had a hard time going from a BMW 323 to a Mazda 6

[Stuff]

I see it as going from Saturn to Hyundai which would be fairly easy in my books. lol

How hard is to got from a top of line Aura to Elantra.
I had a hard time going from a BMW 323 to a Mazda 6

[Mr. Meow]

Wow wing, This will be the most important car me thinks,  more so than there Accent. So.....

Is it as well bult as Civic or Corolla?
How it does drive?
Whats the automatic like?

Oh I shut up......I let you be.....I just keep reading. 

should be interesting..... 

I really like the look of this car for some strange reason..
.

[Blueprint]

I think Hyundai is shooting for the Corolla shopper here : dull engine, dull interior, dull bodywork, dull performance, but roomy and comfy.  The few I've seen on the road so far scream "cheap rental car".

The gorgeous bod of the Mazda 3 proves that styling can be std at such a price point, or at least bold statements like the Civic can be made.  Even the previous-gen Elantra GT (the liftback) had a certain dose of looks.  Hyundai doesn't have much of a price advantage anymore, so this car nut won't recommend the Elantra to co-workers (so far this year, I "sold" a Corolla, a Forester and a Mazda 5, and "customers" are happy campers).

[tortoise]

^^ I agree ^^

When shopping for a new car, about a year and a half ago, the Elantra GT was on our list.  I really liked the Saab-esque styling of the hatch, along with the ample storage space that came with it.  It was a nice car to drive.  Certainly more refined than my Protege5 and it cruised on the hwy quite quietly (say THAT 10 times fast!).   

I wasn't too concerned about the reliability but the sportier handling (and looks) of the P5 won me over.

It seems like Hyundai has reversed the equation for this model.  The interior is MUCH nicer, but the exterior is a step backwards in my opinion.   While I could get over the looks if it was fun to drive, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Also the decision to not include the hatch seems pretty foolish to me given the number of Mazda 3's, Vibes, Yaris' and Fits that are on the roads.

[Juke1]

As far as looks go, this is sad.  Looks like a Daewoo 6-7 years ago.

[Mr. Meow]

As far as looks go, this is sad.  Looks like a Daewoo 6-7 years ago.

Really which one?



.

[mrthompson]

If I'm not mistaken, this is actually a rebadged Kia Spectra.

[Arthur Dent]

I can't see too many takers at that price ... Hyundai may have moved up on those quality surveys but its still a budget brand IMO

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I too think this is going after the Corolla buyer.

I'm a Hyundai fan, but not really enthusiastic about the new Elantra. Just doesn't grab me. My parents have the outgoing one. I'll miss the hatch... hope one is coming.

The interior does look like a giant leap forward. The seats look large and very comfy. I like the blue backlighting, materials, and layout. Tho Hyundai claims large interior space, don't think it feels more spacious than the competitors.

The exterior is a bit odd. The elegant lines on the side are different and kinda neat, and I really like the front... and back... but altogether it just doesn't work for me for whatever reason. I dislike the C-pillar treatment and find the body really fat between the C-pillar and rear wheel wells. The wheels and tires also look dinky on the body. Bigger wheels may work wonders on it.

Price wise, it's competitive but not knockout. If this car were $18,5 would be a lot better than $20. The GLS with leather et all looks to be a decent value, better than the mid-ranger. Why the GL Sport doesn't have side curtain airbags or telescopic wheel is beyond me, as it's likely the model I'd go with to get the fogs, roof, heated seats, 16" alloys without leather.

The previous Elantra is among the quietest at speed. Read reports the new one gets a little gruff and noisy at higher highway speeds. What do you think?

[neil]

SAM, The new Elantra is way quieter than the previous, and feels much more substantial behind the wheel.  Speaking from a perspective of an '02 GT owner.  Styling is objective.  I wasn't to crazy about the wave, but it's less offensive now than then, and looks better in the flesh than the pics.

Weakest link is the old Beta engine.  Why o why they haven't bolted in the Theta I'll never understand.  The world engine they invested the most in and they aren't using yet, while minority partner DCX is truely puzzles me.  The Theta is world class and would make this a real heads up winner in a crowded segment.

Interesting side note, next time you look at new Hyundai's Notice the tail lights are the same shape as the headlights.  True on Azera, Sonata, SantaFe, and Elantra!

[AVToller]

Interesting side note, next time you look at new Hyundai's Notice the tail lights are the same shape as the headlights.  True on Azera, Sonata, SantaFe, and Elantra!

So, does this mean that Hyundai doesn't know whether it is coming or going? 

[neil]

It's a pushmepullyou Dr DooLittle.

[vd]

wing you said you shopped for a car in this segment a few months ago... what did you end up with?

[Bullet Blue]

Interesting side note, next time you look at new Hyundai's Notice the tail lights are the same shape as the headlights.  True on Azera, Sonata, SantaFe, and Elantra!

I've been noticing that. Glad I wasn't the only one.

The exterior design is quite off looking. I've seen the new Elantra in person and it just seems too "bubbly" and that "S" line going down the side is a little too much. Interior is great though.

[bobby]

I have an '04 GT and personally I love the styling.  I thought it was Saab-esque too until I was in Europe last summer and saw where they really got their inspiration from...



I'm sad to hear that they're not planning on a new hatch anytime soon... maybe that'll change if enough people complain.  I'm actually very surprised seeing as the hatch market has been quite hot recently.  Anyway, the new Elantra looks ok on the outside, not my cup of tea.  Inside is pretty sweet though... looks to be vastly improved over the previous gen.

[haris]

Way too much money for an Elantra. It's nice that Hyundai is doing well,

[Mr. Meow]

The major issue is the radio display: it does not dim at all, and as a result, when traveling down a dark country road, it glares into your eyes. As a result, I was forced to drive home this evening with no radio.

Have tried a pieces really thick sellotape. cut neatly. I brought a clock with a blue light, so know what you mean, This even on dim at night still lights up the whole room. Just like you've got the light on. I think Its use of the blue lights are the problem, but they do make things look modern. but I don't think they should be used on cars.

apart from that how does it drive?
.

[safristi]

AS Neilly Boy said...this was Hyundai's chance ta leap into the lead with  the Theta engine....a GT hatch Variant and maybe throw in anti skid,5 speed auto or somesuch amongst the pigeons..but they are barely matching Mazda..and the look doesn't do it (subjective I know but I bet 8 outta 10 agree). only one Variant sheesh......a nice middle of the road commuter and grocery getter......that coulda been betta ......sigh