2007 Hyundai Elantra

reviewed for Times Union’s Auto’s Weekly

by Dan Lyons

Economy cars walk the fine line between inexpensive and cheap. It’s easy to make the latter, tough to make the former. A good economy car has to be priced low enough to be affordable. But, the quality has to be high enough so that you’re not shelling out for big repairs before you’re done making car payments. The traditional titans in the economy market here in the states have been the Japanese automakers. Korean carmaker Hyundai aspires to crack the fraternity and their approach is pretty straight forward: build good quality cars, back them with long warranties.

Elantra is offered in three trim levels – GLS, SE and Limited. Prices start at $13,395, and even the base, GLS model is pretty well equipped. All Elantras have four wheel disc brakes with ABS, six airbags, power windows and door locks, heated mirrors, remote keyless entry, interval wipers and a split/fold rear seat. The Preferred package ($1,500) adds air conditioning, fog lights, cruise control, dual vanity mirrors and an upgrade to the sound system (172 watt, AM/FM/CD, with an auxiliary input jack for your iPod or MP3 player).

I drove a mid-level SE model, with an out-the-door sticker price of $16,780. The SE has everything you’d find on a GLS with Preferred Package, plus a telescoping leather steering wheel (with redundant audio controls) 16” wheels and a trip computer. Slide inside a new SE and you’ll find that Hyundai mixes materials and finishes nicely. Extensive use of two-toning and soft touch materials give the economy car a not-so-economy-car feel. Blue back-lighting for gauges adds a cool nighttime vibe. Controls are located on two, steering wheel mounted stalks and the vee-shaped center stack, and everything’s within easy reach. XM satellite radio is standard on all models, with a three month subscription included. Hyundai has responded to dings on earlier cars by supplying the latest Elantra with a surplus of cabin storage spots. These include a handy, dash top covered tray, molded door pockets with bottle holders and a (too small) covered, center console. Larger cargo heads for the trunk, and Elantra’s got a big one: 14.2 cubic feet, with a tall opening and conveniently placed releases for the spilt, folding rear seats.

The fourth generation Elantra is wider (2”) and taller (2.2”) than the model it replaces. Bigger outside means bigger inside, and Hyundai claims that Elantra has best-in-class interior room. Six footers will fit in front or back, and as for headroom, let’s put it this way. If you were driving with Devo, they wouldn’t have to remove their flower pots.

Elantra is bigger and taller, but it isn’t fatter. In fact, the 2007 is 60 lb. lighter than the outgoing model, and body stiffness is up by 49%. The drivetrain features a 2.0 litre inline four cylinder motor, coupled to either a five speed manual transmission or optional four speed automatic (I drove the latter). Elantra’s 2.0 four has 132 horsepower and 133 lb. ft. of torque, which is enough oomph to roll the roughly 2,800 lb. compact down the road efficiently. The engine sounds a bit thrashy at full throttle, but is impressively quiet when cruising at highway speeds (even left lane, Northway speeds). Manual transmission models have been timed at 8.8 seconds from 0-60 mph. EPA rates the SE with automatic at 28 mpg’s city/36 highway, and I logged 30 mpg’s during my test drive. Elantra’s four wheel independent suspension offers a fine ride for a small car and a stable handling feel. The brakes are strong, though the pedal is touchy.

Hyundai expects to sell 100,000 Elantras in their first full year, and the number doesn’t sound unrealistic. Korean cars have come a long way from where they were years ago. Hyundai is building a good product and they’re backing it up with the insurance of long warranties. And to cap it off, the prices are very aggressive. In terms of bang for the buck, the new Elantra makes a very strong argument for itself in the compact class.

------------

Numbers and Dollars

2007 Hyundai Elantra

MSRP: $13,995 (GLS)

Price as Tested : $16,780 (SE)

Drivetrain

Engine: 2.0 litre, Inline four cylinder

Horsepower: 132 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Torque: 133 lb. ft. @ 4,600 rpm

Transmission: four speed automatic

Weights and Measures

Wheelbase: 104.5" Height: 58.3”

Length: 177.4” Weight: 2,747 – 2,895 lb.

Width: 69.9”

Interior

Head Room: 40.0” f, 37.6” r Leg Room: 43.5” f, 35.0” r

Trunk Capacity: 14.2 cu. ft.

Chassis

Suspension: Independent front & rear

Brakes: Four wheel disc, ABS standard

Tire size: 205/55HR16 all season

Mileage

EPA city/highway mpg - 28/36

As tested – 30

Warranty

5 years/60,000 miles - bumper to bumper

10 years/100,000 miles – limited powertrain

5 year/24 hr roadside assistance

Back To Reviews Index