07 July 2011
The scoop
“The big small car” is how Hyundai positions its new Elantra. Sporty but spacious is what it really means. The entry level Elantra Active price is $20,590.
The drive
There’s nothing delicate or snooty about the new Elantra – its suspension and steering were made for Australia’s unique road surfaces, so don’t be afraid to take it out and give it a darned good drive. We weren’t.
It’s a car for the modern driver and, as with any new age car, the Elantra comes with full iPod/USB connectivity and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. Tick, tick, tick.
The 1.8l Nu litre petrol engine is smooth-running, light and powerful.
The Elantra looks streamlined and sporty on the outside; yet is smart with plenty of room on the inside. It officially falls into the small car segment but both front and back are spacious and comfortable. The boot itself has 420 litres of space – not bad.
And if you want fries with that, you can go all out on creature comforts – such as electric driver’s seat, heated front seats, sunroof, and reversing camera in the Premium version – and only have to fork out $28,990 total. Nice price.
Safety
With a 5-Star ANCAP rating, you can’t really go wrong. The Elantra takes it one step further in that it’s currently the only vehicle car in the small segment equipped with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM).
It also has Anti-skid Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), three-point retractable seatbelts for all occupants, Electronics Stability Control (ESC) incorporating Traction Control System (TCS) and six (including front and side curtain) airbags. Got all that?
3 words to describe this car:
Stylish, powerful, safe.
What are the best things about this car?
Its affordability, sleekness and comfort factor.
What are the downsides of this car?
The fuel tank is on the smaller side of 48 litres.
Green factor?
Elantra has both your hip pocket’s and the planet’s interests at heart: in the manual model there’s a Gear Shift Indicator which shows the gear you should be in for maximum fuel efficiency.
Soundtrack of choice?
Jamie Cullum.