Hyundai Elantra Elite S 2007 Review

Road Test

Overall Rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 2.0/5.0

Elantra is Hyundai's hardest-working model. The maker's year-on-year sales report for 2006 says Elantra again claimed the title of Hyundai's best-selling car worldwide, followed by the Sonata, Tucson and the Verna, a light car sold in countries such as Singapore and India.

For this reason, and the fact Elantra is up against some pretty stiff competition, Hyundai has made welcome improvements for the fourth-generation model.

While Getz and Accent do well here and in Europe, the company's legion of small car buyers naturally shop for something larger and more luxurious and Elantra is the next step on their way to the big(ger) time. Equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, rated at 105kW/186Nm, Elantra’s dimensions are large enough to market it as a 'small-medium' offering.

Elantra's line-up includes SX, SLX, Elite and, daftly, the Elite S. Dual front passenger and front and rear passenger side curtain airbags, and climate control are standard on the Elantra SLX model and up while Elite models get front fogs, 205/55 16-inch tyre/wheel combo, and ESP with traction control. Elite S comes with the abovementioned plus leather and a sunroof.

The 2.0-litre twin-cam four is the same as used by the outgoing model and maintains output ratings for the new Elantra, but has been tuned to meet Euro IV emissions regs and match refinements made to the manual and auto transmissions. It's an efficient unit -- we got 8.2lt/100km (versus the official 7.8) -- with good response, though it is a little noisy when pushed.

We drove it with the four-speed automatic; the Elite S model's only option. Undeniably, that's how you'd order a 'plush' runabout but for whatever merits the reinstated 2.0-litre has, the unrefined four-speed auto negatively impacts the drive. Most noticeable in and out of freeway driving, the auto holds on to lower gears too long and then lacks kickdown response once lazing along in top.

Elantra's ride is on the soft-side but feels stable and absorbs broken road surfaces well. Hyundai has upsized the brakes for the new Elantra and the difference is noticeable compared to the rather under-done versions on the outgoing model.

Steering remains too light, despite reported improvements made post-launch. The setting is likely in deference to city and carpark crawling duties but it still needs work.

New Elantra is bigger inside than the outgoing model, with excellent space throughout the cabin. Even rear passengers have good head, shoulder and legroom and seating is generous in comparison to some of the stingy bench-like offerings in some other small cars. Front passengers get wide, comfortable seats; the driver's with height adjustment.

Elantra's large, sloping windows and low belt line allow clear vision all around and flood the interior with light. The Elite S's sunroof and light beige interior add a sense of airiness to the restyled model's spaciousness. The pale leather had stood up well against nearly 10,000 test kays but felt somewhat manufactured. Indeed, the Elite's hides felt almost too thin to be durable in the long run.

The Elantra's new curves lose something to range uniformity and are now rather anonymous. More than once we were asked if this was the new Accent.

We liked the looks, at least, of the previous Elantra which, while due for the overhaul, was a standout among the more po-faced in this crowd especially with the add-on rear wing, etc. Hyundai Accessories (formerly Astrel Accessories) offers 17-inch wheels and a dress-up kit for the latest Elantra, for around $1200.

At just under 30 grand the Elite S is priced close enough to Japanese rivals but will be considered expensive for shoppers accustomed to getting a bargain from Hyundai's cut-price campaign heritage. But Hyundai loses nothing by redefining 'cheap and cheerful' because on the equipment and safety front, both Elite models are on the mark.

It's just that the quality of the drive experience and some of the materials is underdone rather than surprisingly good value. The leather trim is thin; the blue-lit instrumentation cheap-looking and distracting at night; and the spare is a steel space-saver, despite the Elite premium.

We'd suggest simply going Elite and not bothering with the S, especially if you can live without a sunroof and leather seats. Even the SX and SLX models come with long standard-fit lists and the SLX can be ordered with the extra safety equipment.

And with Hyundai's Euro-inspired and designed i30 hatch just around the corner, we'd also counsel patience. Even if the new generation Elantra-sized five-door hatch isn't your cup of tea, the chances are the new arrival could see Hyundai value adding the sedan-only Elantra range further.

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