Hyundai’s ALL NEW Elantra Test Drive Review
This is an all new Hyundai Elantra and before you start remarking on ‘plunging’ Hyundai resale values and why buying a Japanese car is better in the long run, (4-5 years) let me share with you some real world used car data from our Malaysian used car classifieds. A 2013 Toyota Altis 1.8 sells for about RM61,000 in the used car classifieds, a 2013 Honda Civic 1.8 will sell for about RM68,000 and a 2013 Mazda3 2.0 sells for about RM48,000. Now, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 sells for RM52,000. As you can see for yourself, Hyundai used values sit right in the middle of the popular Japanese brands. Check the used classifieds for yourself.
NEW Elantra Looks
Physically this all new Elantra is quite an imposing car with clean-cut styling and well-balanced proportions. And unlike many, it doesn’t resort to ‘sculptured’ panels or other styling gimmickry to stand out in the car park.
NEW Elantra Cabin
Inside is where it matters most though, and here this new Elantra scores. Enter this Elantra and you see premium plastic finish with soft touch panels around. The driver gets an 8-way well-bolstered electric seat and a straight forward meter cluster, no gimmickry here. Nice-action stalks, easy-to-read dials and a crystal clear driver’s information display between the speedo and rev-counter.
The good-looking front seats are well-shaped with effective but not pushy bolstering, lumbar adjustment and height adjustment that between them get you in the best position to use the good-to-hold, three-spoke leather-rimmed steering wheel with nice thumb cut-outs and remote controls for the audio. Not only is the driving position spot-on but you can also see down to the bonnet’s end. Large windows and effective door mirrors help make light of town driving while keeping the cabin airy.
Hyundai has also provided it’s intuitive 7″ TFT Touchscreen Audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as part of the extensive standard-equipment list, which also includes a proximity key with push-button start.
NEW Elantra Safety
This Elantra is not only lighter than the outgoing model, but its rigid chassis is now reinforced with 53% advanced high-strength steel compared to 21% from the previous model, providing improved stiffness at a lower body weight. This increased utilization results in a 29.5% stiffer torsional rigidity and 25.3% greater bending strength, which bring improvements in vehicle ride and handling, quietness, durability and driving performance which we experienced first hand on the highway and Malacca state road drive. A 6-airbag system is standard, including Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Traction Control, ABS and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
NEW Elantra Drive Impression
Please bear in mind that this new Elantra also comes in a 203bhp guise and a generous 264Nm of torque and this review we will share soon. However, we are test driving the 152bhp 2.0L family version of the Elantra. From ignition you get a steering that is not too light; and turns-in with assurance. Meaning it feels as much at home on winding JKR state maintained roads as it does on a tolled highway at high speed. We have to mention the very slick auto gearchange action and the smooth engine and you have a family car that will keep you smiling whether you are in daily heavy traffic or taking in a long weekend drive to a secluded Air B&B. Brakes are reassuring when called on and its never feels like its losing its feel when used very hard in an emergency.
With plenty of space inside its stylish designed sedan body for people and luggage, this well equipped and keenly-priced Elantra will give the competition a tough time once segment buyers test drive it.
Hyundai Elantra 2.0L Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Nu
Capacity: 1999cc
Power : 152bhp @ 6200rpm
Torque: 192Nm @ 4000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed Auto
Top Speed: NA
0-100km/h: NA
Price: RM116,388.00
About the Author
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