Congratulations are in order as Hyundai wins another one!
Hyundai Elantra – What the Auto Press Says
Offering one of the most comfortable and spacious cabins in the Affordable Small Car class, the Elantra is well worth a look for those who want a little extra comfort while getting from point A to B. The Hyundai warranty is one of the longest in the class and it gets high reliability ratings that make its affordable base price all the more attractive.
Reviewers give high marks to the 2010 Hyundai Elantra. It handles well, has no problem passing on the highway and offers excellent fuel economy for the class. Additionally, it offers good cargo capacity for a small sedan and has a rear seat that is actually comfortable – a quality that is exceptionally rare among affordable small cars. Edmunds says the Elantra “is often overlooked, but it’s a roomy and well-built small sedan with surprisingly sophisticated road manners. It is a must-drive if you’re in the market for an economy car.”
Overall, the Hyundai Elantra is a good choice for it’s comfort and convenience, but there is one key area where it falls short. Its base price is about average for the class, but increases very quickly as you begin to add basic features. Base Elantras do offer some features as standard, such as power windows/doors and remote keyless entry. But to get air conditioning and an audio system, it is necessary to opt for the Popular Equipment Package, which will run you around $1,700. More upscale features, like leather or heated front seats, are only available on the top-of-the-line SE trim ($17,020), and then you have to pay an extra $2,000 to get them as part of the Premium and Leather Package. If you don’t want a manual transmission, you can get an automatic, but it will cost you at least $800. At that point, the Elantra’s originally appealing price is pushing $20,000, which will probably cause potential buyers to pause.
If you’re looking for a car that has many of the standard features (even on the base model) but is still reasonably priced, the Kia Forte is worth a look. Among its long list of standard features are Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and Sirius Satellite Radio, which aren’t even necessarily standard on more upscale small cars. The Forte also offers more standard safety features than the Elantra and has a starting price of around $500 less.
Still, if you can afford the extra cost, the Elantra is an excellent choice. It can’t be beat for reliability — it gets exceptionally high marks of 9.0 out of 10 from J.D. Power and offers one of the longest warranties in its class. For a bargain, you may want to consider the 2009 model, since the 2010 model is nearly identical. Dealers are making room on their lots for new 2010 models so you may be able to snag a deal on a 2009.
The 2010 Elantra comes in three trims – the new base Blue trim (with better fuel economy), the upgraded GLS and the top-of-the line SE. Hyundai also offers a wagon model called the Elantra Touring, which is reviewed separately.
“Elantra matches any class rival for refinement, space, comfort, and standard safety features. A robust feel, attractive prices and Hyundai’s strong warranty also make Elantra well worth consideration.” – Consumer Guide
“The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car with handsome styling, a notable complement of safety features, commendable driving manners, a responsive and fuel-efficient powertrain, a strong warranty and above-average value for the money.” — New Car Test Drive
“Indeed, the overall design is attractive and pleasing, looking as if it belongs in a much more expensive car. Your carpool buddies should be impressed. They’ll also appreciate the Elantra’s generous head-, shoulder-, hip- and legroom found in both the front and rear seats.” – Edmunds
“A value-packed and inexpensive alternative to the segment-leading Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, the…Hyundai Elantra makes a great first (or even second) car.” – Kelley Blue Book
Elantra Performance – 7.6 (Good)
Hyundai’s 2010 Elantra works well as a daily driver, performing well on both the highway and in the supermarket parking lot, which is what it was designed for. Still, if you’re looking to burn rubber, it’s best to look elsewhere. New Car Test Drive sums things up well by saying, “Overall, it’s a good fit for someone who just wants good transportation without attitude.”
Elantra Exterior – 7.7 (Good)
The Elantra has a sleek, contemporary look that reviewers say is generally appealing. As Kelley Blue Book puts it, “The impressive exterior styling, with its clean lines and sculpted body sides, borrows design characteristics from the larger and more expensive Hyundai Azera.” Nonetheless, its styling isn’t particularly memorable — so it will likely blend in with the crowd of other affordable small cars.
Elantra Interior – 8.3 (Very Good)
Where the 2010 Elantra truly shines is in its interior. It has one of the roomiest cabins in its class, plenty of storage space and lots of available features. Consumer Guide says: “Plush cloth upholstery belies Elantra’s pricing. So does its classy blue dashboard lighting. Otherwise, most interior materials are in-line with other compact-car rivals.” That said, Elantra’s price can rise quickly once basic features like air conditioning are added, not to mention more expensive ones like leather or heated seats.
Elantra Reliability – 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Hyundai Elantra reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power’s automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2010 Hyundai Elantra comes with a five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty, one of the lengthiest of the class. Even lengthier is the Elantra’s 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
