Car Gazing
For the price, Elantra GT impresses with long list of features
By Derek Price
Every car company has a reputation – like Volkswagen's for building economy
cars and Mercedes-Benz's for making expensive luxury sedans – but they
sometimes stray from the expected.
Just like VW is producing its $100,000 Phaeton and Mercedes is moving down
market with its affordable C-class lineup, so is Hyundai dispelling the
notion that its cars are of inferior quality by making impressive models
like the Elantra GT.
With a well-equipped version costing about $14,000, this new, sporty Hyundai
looks and feels like cars that cost thousands more. The only difference is
the badge.
Most shocking is the list of standard features for that bargain price: four
wheel disc brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather seats,
power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, a rear spoiler, fog lamps,
and even a CD player. And the styling is splendid, as its European-inspired
body looks taut and smooth, certainly classier than one would expect for a
mere $14,000.
The only disappointment comes in its suspension, which Hyundai calls
"Euro-tuned" but still lets the car wallow too much to be considered sporty.
At the same time, it doesn't soak up bumps well enough to be a good
boulevard cruiser, so the ride ends up neither inspiring nor particularly
comfortable.
Other than that, there are few complaints. Performance is better than
expected with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 135 horsepower,
enough to easily chirp the Michelins when mated with a five-speed manual
transmission.
That tranny is smooth and precise, with easy gear shifts for both quick
acceleration and laid-back motoring around town, while steering is better
than in some of the best Japanese sedans. Brakes are among the best in its
class.
But for a family car, comfort is key, and this Hyundai doesn't skimp. While
the leather seating surfaces don't exactly feel premium, the rest of the
interior materials seem top-notch, and the rattle-free dash on my test
vehicle felt tighter than some domestic luxury sedans at twice the Elantra's
price. Impressive, indeed.
Supportive seats can be adjusted to suit virtually anyone, since they have
plenty of front-back travel, and the steering wheel has a tilt function –
again, something surprising in such an inexpensive economy car. Cupholders
are in the perfect location, and controls are all easy to find and operate.
The Elantra's lack of wind noise at highway speed was astounding for any
economy car, although some road surfaces transmitted plenty of sound through
that "Euro-tuned" suspension. The engine was eerily silent at idle, but its
grating whine was anything but pleasant near redline.
But, that lingering question remains: will it be reliable? Hyundai doesn't
have a reputation for making long-lasting cars, so it offers an
industry-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty to comfort potential buyers.
Plus, from the apparent quality of the body panels and interior, Hyundai has
made great improvements in the past few years, but only time will tell if
the cars are more reliable.
Overall, though, there are few complaints – especially when considering the
great price – on this hot Hyundai. It's fun, comfortable, stylish, and it
comes with an incredible warranty.
This could be the car that changes Hyundai's reputation for the better.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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