This week I received an e-mail from Hyundai Canada that read
“We
invite you to write a review on Hyundai Elantra. If you have ever used customer
reviews yourself, you know how valuable they can be.”
So I’ve decided to put my Elantra’s review ahead of a number
of others. First of all, I would say that this model deserves to be called best
value for money. Korean auto manufacturers proved that cars could be inexpensive,
but reliable at the same time.
Step by step, Hyundai has been gaining the market over the
past 10 years. The reputation of cheap and not very good cars is left in the
past, with new Hyundais made for driving with comfort.
The Hyundai Elantra comes in a few models. The GL is a basic
sedan. It has many safety features, which are most likely becoming a standard
in the industry. Absolutely great exterior! It looks better than the price on
its tag. Enough room for a tall driver and passengers. It feels very nice on
the road.
I drive in the worst conditions – rush hour traffic in the
city. Gas consumption is 8.3 l/100 km – one tank for 540 km. It gets closer to
7 L / 100 km on highways and mixed drives.
Blind spot sensors are more useful than annoying, could be
turned on and off, heated mirrors and rear window are nice at winter. Backup
camera has a wide angle, helps to see pedestrians and/or moving cars on the
parking. However, the parking assistance is useless for me, because I trust
geometry. Also, those lines aren’t very accurate.
Trunk has a lot of space, I like it. All seats are designed
for tall people; there is plenty of room for legs. To be honest, I am a bit
unhappy with the back of the driver’s seat – it forces me to bend my back,
which is not very comfy in longer drives.
The steering wheel has basic dashboard navigation – mileage, maintenance, music. Control for phone dial and cruise control. I surprised myself by using heated option, but it is nice to have on chilly morning drives. Another positive detail – the steering wheel is covered with soft material instead of hard plastic.
The screen is intuitive, easy to navigate, and features
easy-to-reach buttons. Allows to connect a cellphone for GPS navigation. The
car has only one USB port, which is really sad, because it doesn’t have a CD
player.
So far I am very happy with this model. Definitely would
recommend Elantra for someone who is looking for a sedan. It is a nice
combination of a city car with low fuel consumption and a comfortable vehicle
for camping and local travelling. While going off-road, don’t forget that it
has a low ground clearance. Deep snow, branches, and potholes could break the
car.
Pros:
- Fuel efficient
- Nice looking
- Affordable
- Spacious
- Smooth on the road
- Plenty of features that previously were exclusive to luxury cars
Cons:
- Design of driver’s seat ( I spend in the car more than 2 hours daily, I feel it)
- 1 USB port
- Found a glitch in Bluetooth connection. Have to investigate if it’s caused by car’s Bluetooth, Android Auto or a specific cellphone
- Parking assist is not very accurate, blind spot detectors fail in heavy rain or snow
- Cruise control drops the speed going downhill. I hope drivers behind me would keep their distance
- Low ground clearance
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