Topic: Elantra wins 2012 north american car of the year

[laspalmas]

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/278713/20120109/north-american-car-year-2012-hyundai-elantra.htm
A little pat on the back for me 
When they say "North american" is it because it is sold here or built here (Alabama) or both?

[richink]

Both! And might I say also long overdue...

[airbalancer]

 Past winner

2007 the Saturn Aura
2000  Ford Focus
kiss of death 

[laspalmas]

Past winner

2007 the Saturn Aura
2000  Ford Focus
kiss of death 

Last year: Hyundai Sonata or Kia equivalent IIRC - no kiss of death.....

[Jaeger]

Good for you, good for Hyundai.

Jaeger

[richink]

Oooohhh yessum they've picked their share of turkeys.

The Focus is far from what I would call a dud.

Saturn was already a foot and a half in the grave when the Aura came out, thank you Roger Smith for your brilliance on that one as well as several other classic GM blunders.

Just looked at the historical list, most turkeys on the list are from Chrysler.

[Gamefreak]

The Focus is far from what I would call a dud.

It isn't a piece of junk now, but wasn't the 2000 Focus a piece of junk?

[Gamefreak]

Oh yeah, yay Elantra!

[Cord]

The Focus is far from what I would call a dud.

It isn't a piece of junk now, but wasn't the 2000 Focus a piece of junk?

No. It wasn't. In terms of driving dynamics it was pretty much universally lauded for its fun-to-drive nature. In the early 2000s its reputation was tarnished by a number of recalls. At the time, the mainly pro-Toyota/Honda types regarded recalls as a sign of poor quality. Today, after Toyota and Honda have experienced their share of recall grief, the same acolytes have done an about face and now consider recalls to be a sign of a caring and attentive manufacturer. In that revisionist spirit, recalls alone are not enough to condemn the original Focus. 

[Weexy]

The Focus is far from what I would call a dud.

It isn't a piece of junk now, but wasn't the 2000 Focus a piece of junk?

Based on the number of that gen. Focus' I see driving around here, i wouldn't call is a POS

We've had a '12 Elantra Limited for about 7 months now that i've driven a few times - it goes about its business just fine, but "fun to drive" it ain't.
My step-daughter loves it (was her $$ that bought it), but my wife hates it mainly because of the large a-pillars (i agree they are huge) and that she can't get comfortable in it.  Other things I think are weird with this car is no centre armrest, has heated rear seats, but front seats are manually adjusted,, and mileage seems to be so-so at best 
But,, you can't argue the value quotient.

[Fobroader]

The original ZX3 hatchback was about the most fun you could have for cheap. I worked as a lot boy for a ford dealer in that time and hands down the 3 door focus was the most fun to drive car they had in their lineup. Most of the problems I saw were related to the auto transmission......thats gods way of telling you dont buy a cheap car with a slushbox. Congrats to Hyundai, they make some of the nicest cars on the market these days and they deserved the recognition.

[laspalmas]

The Focus is far from what I would call a dud.

It isn't a piece of junk now, but wasn't the 2000 Focus a piece of junk?

Based on the number of that gen. Focus' I see driving around here, i wouldn't call is a POS

We've had a '12 Elantra Limited for about 7 months now that i've driven a few times - it goes about its business just fine, but "fun to drive" it ain't.
My step-daughter loves it (was her $$ that bought it), but my wife hates it mainly because of the large a-pillars (i agree they are huge) and that she can't get comfortable in it.  Other things I think are weird with this car is no centre armrest, has heated rear seats, but front seats are manually adjusted,, and mileage seems to be so-so at best 
But,, you can't argue the value quotient.

No armrest?  As far as I know the 2012 Canadian versions all have an armrest and the Limited and Limited with Navi has the sliding version. the rear heated seats only come with the LTD and LTD/Navi which both have the "deluxe" sliding front armrest so I dont understand how a model with rear heated seats would not have it, let alone the sliding one.

[laspalmas]

From Hyundai's site, the entry level Elantra:
ELANTRA L 6 Speed Manual
Interior Features
AM/FM/CD/MP3 Player with 6 speakers
Centre Console with Storage compartment and Armrest
Power Windows with Driver's Auto Down
iPod®/USB/Auxiliary input jacks
Trip Computer
Driver's Seat Height Adjuster
Rear Seat Centre Armrest with Cupholders
Power Door Locks

ELANTRA Limited 6-Speed Auto w/ 6-speed Shiftronic manual mode
Interior Features
AM/FM/XM®/CD/MP3 Player with 6 speakers
Fully Automatic Dual-Zone Climate Control
Power Windows with Driver's Auto Up/Down and Pinch protection
iPod®/USB/Auxiliary input jacks
Trip Computer
Driver's Seat Height Adjuster
Rear Seat Centre Armrest with Cupholders
Power Door Locks
Steering Wheel mounted Cruise Control
Centre Console with Storage compartment and Deluxe Sliding Armrest
Heated Front Seats
Steering Wheel Audio Remote Control
Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
Leather-wrapped Steering wheel / TGS Knob
Heated Rear Seats
Power Sunroof
Leather Seating Surfaces with Leatherette Door Inserts
Automatic Light Control
Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink®

[Weexy]

From Hyundai's site, the entry level Elantra:
ELANTRA Limited
Centre Console with Storage compartment and Deluxe Sliding Armrest

Will have to take a look & see.  I've only driven the car a couple of times - last time I remember trying to rest my right elbow and it found nothing.  Said to my wife in the passenger seat 'where's the armrest?' & she said there isn't one... i didn't bother looking any further. 
There must be something there - maybe it was folded up & away   Dunno.  Now i'm curious though & will check it tonight.

[laspalmas]

From Hyundai's site, the entry level Elantra:
ELANTRA Limited
Centre Console with Storage compartment and Deluxe Sliding Armrest

Will have to take a look & see.  I've only driven the car a couple of times - last time I remember trying to rest my right elbow and it found nothing.  Said to my wife in the passenger seat 'where's the armrest?' & she said there isn't one... i didn't bother looking any further. 
There must be something there - maybe it was folded up & away   Dunno.  Now i'm curious though & will check it tonight.

The driver's seat height adjustment may have been too high, making the armrest too low....