Elantra is baby Sonata

29 August 2011 - 12:54 By Bruce Bennett
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The Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai in South Africa is continuing to expand and consolidate its model range with the new fifth-generation Elantra which brings more than a touch of excitement.

The medium-size sedan comes with a choice of a 1.6 or 1.8 litre petrol motors, with the bigger engine being completely new.  Both have six-speed manual gearboxes while the 1.8 has the option of a six-speed auto.

Pricing starts at R186 900 for the 1.6-litre manual, which produces 96kW and 157Nm; the 1.8-litre manual costs R214 900; and the auto-gearbox 1.8 goes for R224 900. The 1.8 motors produce 110kW and 178Nm. There are no diesel models.

While this pricing is extremely competitive against rivals such as the Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cruze sedans, what really impressed me on a 150km-plus drive from Newlands in Cape Town, past Gordon's Bay to Rooi Els and back was the outstanding fuel economy. Hyundai claim 6.5litres/100km for the 1.8 and I though 'yeah, sure. for a mid-sized sedan weighing nearly 1 200kg?'

But believe it or not, this was the figure on the onboard computer after the launch drive, which including some spirited chasing around the corners on that beautiful coastal road. The fuel tank, at 48.5 litres, is not big, but a range of over 700km should be well within reach.

Hyundai also boast about improved handling and quieter, more comfortable cabins. Once again the Elantra backed up these claims on the road to Rooi Els and back.

The Elantra, Hyundai proudly point out, won 21 global awards in its first year and it is easy to see why. Someone remarked a little wryly that the car is more exciting to look at than to drive but I have to say I found the 1.8 model an all-round satisfying ride, with power that is both smooth and surprising, excellent responsiveness, slick gearbox, impressive interior and outstanding fuel consumption.

Throw in the sexy looks and I'd say Hyundai have another winner in what is by far their best Elantra yet.

Claimed top speeds, for the record, are 200 and 205km/h for the 1.6 and 1.8 models, with 0-100km/h times of 10.7 and 9.3 seconds respectively.

Both models have full-size spare wheels but the 1.8 has alloys while the 1.6 makes do with steel rims.

The Elantra continues the modern flowing lines we have seen in the ix35 SUV and in Hyundai's stylish Sonata, which is itself excellent value at R300 000. I can see a lot of would-be Sonata buyers, trying to trim their finances in tough economic times, going for an Elantra instead - and being very happy with their purchase.

Certainly the 1.8 manual I drove was impressively responsive, considering the fairly modest power and torque figures. All motor companies seem to talk about philosophies of constant improvement but Hyundai are showing the sort of results to back up the boasting.

The Korean giant has made huge strides in the past few years. Hyundai SA marketing director Stanley Anderson admitted that they no longer felt a need to bring their cars to market at much lower prices than their rivals. It was felt they could now compete, on level terms, as regards quality and reputation.

Hyundai aim to sell around 600 Elantras every month in SA, although CEO Alan Ross says demand continually outstrips supply and he and Anderson makes regular trips to headquarters in Korea to argue for more vehicles.  All the factories, he said, were working at full production.

Anderson said one of the key Hyundai pillars involved modern technology at accessible prices and the Elantra seems to have this in spades, with bucketloads of standard features including, unusually for this market segment, a dual climate control system and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

It also gets all the other goodies you'd expect in this price range, and as one has come to expect from Hyundai, these are standard items and not extra-cost options.

It has also followed the lead of other Hyundais in swopping the cam belt for a timing chain, which helps to lower maintenance costs.

The Elantra comes with Hyundai's five-year 150 000km warranty, a five-year 150 000km rust and perforation warranty, as well as a five-year 90 000km service plan with service intervals at 15 000km and a five-year 150 000km roadside assistance plan.

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