Background: Hyundai is on a roll. The just closed 2003 calendar year ranked as the best sales year in the United States to date for South Korea's largest automaker since its arrival in 1986. Suffice it to say United States consumers have warmed to Hyundai during the past three years. Hyundai auto sales reached 264,000 units in 1987, its second year of operation in the United States. But marketing missteps and unfavorable word of mouth started the ball rolling in the wrong direction. By 1998 sales sank to 90,000 units nationwide and Hyundai was on the ropes. A new management team was assembled to right the struggling ship. A key marketing strategy contributing to the turnaround in the United States was the introduction of a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on all new vehicles sold. This helped alleviate concerns in minds of potential buyers who still recalled Hyundai's dark decade. The move paid off. Not only have sales skyrocketed, other auto competitors are now offering longer warranty packages. The six-model Hyundai lineup for the U.S. in 2004 includes the subcompact Accent, compact Elantra, mid-size Sonata sedan, large-size XG 350 sedan, mid-size four-door Santa Fe sport utility and sporty two-door Tiburon coupe. The company will debut its all-new Tucson sport utility vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show (opening on February 6 to the general public) and the mid-size SUV will most likely be on the road in the next 12 months. The test vehicle of the week is the four-door, front-wheel drive Elantra, which offers many new exterior changes and an updated instrument panel in 2004. Elantra, built in South Korea, is the automaker's best-selling vehicle in the United States. The 2004 Elantra is based on the vehicle's third-generation platform that first arrived in 2001. The sporty, low-volume Tiburon shares a platform with the Elantra. Elantra competes with other relatively inexpensive front-wheel-drive compacts including the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Dodge Neon and Nissan Sentra. Total 2003 Hyundai car and truck sales in the U.S. surpassed the 400,000 barrier for the first time, ending at 400,221. Hyundai Motor Co. is also the parent company of Korea's third-largest automaker, Kia, which entered the U.S. market in the 1990s.
Engine and trim level: Elantra is available in two body styles, five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. The hatchback is available in a single GT trim level while the sedan comes in the entry GLS and uplevel GT trim. Each comes with the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The sole powertrain is a 2.0-liter, double-overhead-cam, inline four cylinder engine producing an impressive 138 horsepower. Added to this returning powertrain is a new continuously variable valve timing unit, mounted to the exhaust camshaft, to better monitor engine emissions. By comparison, the base 2.0-liter Ford Focus engine generates 110 horses while the Nissan Sentra engine produces 126 horses. The Dodge Neon, built in nearby Belvidere, produces 132 horses. The fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons of regular unleaded fuel. Hyundai estimates both transmissions generating 24 miles per gallon in city travel and 32 m.p.g. highway.
Standard equipment: Both trim levels include: power-assisted, rack-and-pinion speed-sensing steering; air conditioning; power windows, door locks and side-view mirrors; tilt steering column; intermittent front wipers and rear-window defogger. The entry GLS includes an AM/FM stereo system with cassette player while GT editions substitute a compact disc player for the cassette. The GLS includes cloth interior while GT sports leather surfaces. Both the GT sedan and hatchback version add an enhanced suspension system, fog lamps, four-wheel disc brakes, cruise control and a rear spoiler. A rear spoiler is available in the GLS sedan for $395. Those wishing to listen to compact discs in the GLS must purchase one of several option packages. A moonroof is optional in both trim levels.
Price: Hyundai dropped off an entry-level Elantra GLS sedan with manual transmission and a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13,299. The only extras were dealer-installed carpet mats ($78) and cargo net ($38). With automatic transmission, the starting price lists at $14,099. A uplevel GT sedan with manual transmission starts at $14,849 and $15,649 with automatic. The GT four-door wagon lists at $14,849 with manual transmission and $15,649 with automatic. Prices exclude destination charge. The lowest-priced Ford Focus, an LX sedan with manual transmission checks in at $13,225. Focus also comes in a three-door hatchback bodystyle. A base Nissan Sentra with five-speed manual transmission lists at $12,220 while the lowest-priced Dodge Neon lists at $13,200. Keep in mind the Elantra includes more standard equipment than many of its key competitors.
Interior: Elantra's dashboard, with newly integrated instrument panel, is attractive and easy to navigate. The half-shell design is skewed towards the driver, but the front passenger can still reach the center dash rectangular stereo system and three circular knobs controlling ventilation functions situated below. The instrument panel features two large circular analog gauges (tachometer and speedometer) flanked by two smaller three-quarter circle varieties (left temperature gauge and right-side fuel levels.) In between cloth front bucket seats is a hand-operated parking brake to the left of two molded inline beverage holders. In front is the transmission shifter and a storage area while a small, bi-level arm rest/storage center flanked the rear region. Hyundai did a decent job of including many small storage areas for loose change and other items throughout the vehicle. Headroom in front and rear is generous for a compact-sized vehicle. The back seat region holds two adults in relative comfort. Even with the front bucket seat back at a useable position for the driver, enough room remains in back for decent leg room. The backrest folds down with a 60/40 split once a top back cushion knob is pulled up. Seating comfort is average and the position is lower than that found in the Toyota Corolla or Ford Focus. Several competitors have front bucket seats that are more supportive especially during longer rides. Headlights activate from the turn signal stalk while front wipers turn on and off via a right-side stalk. Latches unlocking both the trunk and fuel door are found on the floor just to the left of the driver's bucket seat. Drivers have very good vision in all directions thanks to minimal blind spots. The trunk region has 12.9 cubic feet of room, average at best for this segment. A compact, temporary spare tire stows under the flat-floored trunk.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 102.7 inches
Overall length: 177.1 inches
Overall height: 56.1 inches
Overall width: 67.7 inches
Curb weight: 2,635 pounds.
Exterior: Elantra's reworked front end features slanting cat's eye headlight housing flanking a small grille with oval logo. The rear trunk lid region is raised slightly. Hyundai places the whip radio antenna on the rear passenger-side fender. Hatchback editions include a rear windshield wiper. Flat, oval, body-colored door handles flip up to open.
Safety: Remote keyless entry is now standard in all Elantra selections. Another important safety feature is front driver and passenger side air bags, something not all compact competitors offer as standard fare. Other features include child safety rear door locks, energy-absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones and driver and passenger front air bags. Anti-lock brakes are available only in option packages.
Warranty: While the powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) the basic warranty (including many other parts of the vehicle) is for five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is offered for five years with unlimited miles while the corrosion warranty is good for five years or 100,000 miles.
Final thoughts: Hyundai is one of the few car companies confident enough to provide evaluating journalists with a base model of one of its vehicles. Normally, test cars come loaded to the gills with all the bells and whistles. But not everyone can afford moonroofs and in-dash navigation systems so base models are just as welcome in the review driveway. Even the barest of Elantra's comes with air conditioning, power windows and locks and side air bags. A nice touch. Elantra's bang for the buck in the compact segment is tough to beat. Plus, the 138 horsepower engine, which performed admirably during the week, is one of the most powerful standard engines in the segment. Those leery of Hyundai's long-term quality should take some comfort in the 10-year warranty. Plus, more and more Hyundais are on the road today than a decade ago; probably the best testament of all. |