Every once in a while, a car will really surprise you – the 2008 Hyundai Elantra is one of those cars. Past Elantras offered a long warranty and a low price, but couldn’t really compete with all-star compact sedans like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. Now in its second year since a full redesign, the Elantra is the real deal, capable of standing toe-to-toe with the big boys. Plus, it still has that long warranty and low price.

Larger than the car it replaced, the supposedly compact Elantra is now considered a midsize sedan by the EPA. (Mind you, the EPA also classifies the Dodge Magnum as an SUV, so take it with a grain of salt.) Still, the Elantra is more spacious overall than its economy car rivals, and Hyundai is quick to point out that it boasts more interior volume than an Acura TL. The backseat is particularly impressive, as its high-mounted bench and generous foot room make it an easy fit for full-size adults.

The Elantra’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is an old design and isn’t as refined as those found in its Japanese competitors, but it’s surprisingly responsive and returns pretty good fuel economy. It also runs clean, as it’s classified as an Ultra-Low-Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) in most of the country, and a Partial-Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California, Oregon and the Northeast.

Once underway, the 2008 Hyundai Elantra continues to impress, with decent steering and handling responses, as well as a smooth ride and a stable demeanor at high speeds. It often feels like a more upscale car than it really is, an impression furthered by the handsome, well-constructed interior. Top-quality plastics and other materials are utilized throughout; however, they are betrayed by some cheap plastics here and there, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel (on the SE trim) prone to making your hands feel a bit clammy.

As always, there are a multitude of choices in the small economy car segment.

Although top-ranked sedans like the Civic may be better known, the 2008 Elantra manages to keep up with them, matching or besting each in a number of different ways. In particular, it’s hard to beat the Elantra’s level of features, space and quality construction at such a low price. Of course, taking a test-drive of all these choices is recommended, but when it comes time to stop by the Hyundai store, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is a small sedan available in GLS and SE trim levels. The base GLS is sparsely equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a tilt steering wheel and full power accessories. The GLS Popular Equipment Package adds air-conditioning, foglights, cruise control, vanity mirrors and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The SE includes this equipment, but adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer and a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls.

This year’s new SE Premium Package outfits the Elantra with heated seats and a sunroof. (The latter is a stand-alone option on the GLS.) Leather upholstery can also be added to this package.

The Elantra is front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine capable of 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. All trim levels can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. In California-emissions states, automatic-equipped Elantras are certified as Partial-Zero-Emissions Vehicles (PZEV) and are rated for 132 hp. Fuel economy for 2008 is a very respectable 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway regardless of transmission or which state it is sold in.

All Elantras come standard with antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and anti-whiplash front head restraints. The SE trim level adds standard stability control and brake assist for the ABS. In crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2008 Hyundai Elantra earned a top five-star rating in frontal-impact collision protection and a four-star rating for side collisions. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal offset testing, the Elantra received a rating of “Good,” the agency’s top score.

The Elantra’s interior quality is quite literally hit or miss. For instance, the dash-top grain and cool blue lighting looks like it could have been removed from an Acura. However, there are a few pieces here and there that wouldn’t cut it in a Honda Civic. Still, 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 amount of space provided by the generous head-, shoulder, hip- and legroom found in both the front and rear seats. Storage is also plentiful, with plenty of cubbies and a 14-cubic-foot trunk.

Considering its so-so 138 horses, the 2008 Hyundai Elantra is decently quick out of the gates (zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds), especially when equipped with a manual gearbox. The engine suffers from a somewhat coarse demeanor above 3,500 rpm, however. More refined is the ride quality, which is smooth yet stable, even at high speeds, and is one of the Elantra’s best attributes. Wind and road noise are also negligible.

Although its personality isn’t overtly sporting, the Elantra is actually a capable handler. Body roll is moderate, but this Hyundai manages to hold tight through turns, offering plenty of grip and decent steering response.

From Edmunds.com

Sisters – and parents – enjoying their Elantras

The family bought two Hyundais and finds them comfortable and economical.

MUNCIE — An accident that left a Hyundai Elantra a total loss ultimately led a local family to buy two new ones.

The crash occurred this past February when another driver lost control at an icy intersection and struck a 2004 Elantra being driven by Bailey Hall, a senior at Central High School. The car had been bought for Bailey and her sister, Kyle, by the girls’ mother, Cate McClellan, and stepfather, Arno Wittig.

Cate is a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the state of Indiana. Arno is a professor emeritus of psychological science at Ball State University.

In researching several cars he considered as replacements for the wrecked one, Arno found the 2008 Elantra offers many of the same advantages that led him to buy the 2004, and it has some extra features and updated styling.

“Consumer Reports rates the 2008 Elantra as the best sedan of its size,” he said. “I also found in looking at several cars that for someone my height — 6’2” — the rearview mirror often interferes with outward visibility, but this is not the case in the Elantra.

“Cate and I decided to get two of them — one for the girls to drive and one for us,” Arno said.

They purchased the pair of 2008 Elantras at Gaddis Hyundai in Muncie.

Because Kyle attends Indiana University and is often away at school, Bailey has been the main driver of the family’s red Elantra. She said she appreciates the car’s comfort and trunk space, as well as its audio system.

“It’s comfortable and easy to maneuver,” she said. “I have enjoyed the three free months of XM radio, and I like that the audio system has a connection for an iPod.”

Cate and Arno like the satellite radio feature of their Elantra, as well, and are considering buying subscriptions for both cars when the free trial period ends.

Bailey said she nearly lives out of her car as she drives it to school, athletic events and other extracurricular activities.

“I think I have half of my bedroom in the trunk,” she said.

Kyle does get some time behind the wheel, too: Recently, she drove the Elantra to Charleston, S.C., and found it comfortable and efficient, using only two and one-half tanks of gas for the round trip.

Arno said the white Elantra he and Cate drive has been economical, as well.

“The worst gas mileage we’ve had is 29.9 miles per gallon,” he said. “The best is almost 37 miles per gallon.”

Even though the family also owns a van, the Elantra’s superior fuel economy makes it more desirable for long drives, Cate said.

“We can take the Hyundai to Bloomington and back on a half-tank of gas — and there’s plenty of room in back for our 40 pound dog,” she said. “Either one, or both, of the back seats can be folded down to increase the trunk space.”

With the back seats up, the car carries four adults comfortably, Cate added.

Completely redesigned last year, the Elantra is now classified as a mid-size car, even though its fuel economy ratings and sticker price are more like those of compact models, said Jim Raines, sales representative at Gaddis Hyundai.

“With mileage ratings well into the 30s, Five-Star safety ratings, a 100,000-mile warranty and a range of features not usually found on cars even close to this price, there’s a lot of value in the Elantra,” he said. “It has features to appeal to the younger driver and the savvy, experienced driver alike.”

By KEN WICKLIFFE – For The Star Press – May 18, 2008
The Star Press

As I was walking out of the grocery store, I noticed someone walking up to my Hyundai Elantra SE test car. That’s nothing out of the ordinary, right? Wrong. I was a little confused when this person pulled out their keys and attempted to open the car, so I stopped walking and just watched. Granted it was about 9 o’clock at night so it was dark, but not so dark that you couldn’t see where you were going. I figured he must have mistaken my car for his, or he was trying to break in and steal my Fibre1 bars that were sitting in plain view! But then again, I didn’t know what to think.

I then approached my car and asked him if I could help him. He stood there, in confusion as to what I was asking him. Finally he clued in. His Mercedes C230 was parked right beside mine. Both cars were a similar shade of silver with cool rims, but other than that there were no other physical similarities I could draw upon. He, embarrassed, apologized and asked what kind of car he walked up to. I told him it was an ’08 Hyundai Elantra. To that he replied, “Really? That’s a Hyundai? Well, the Koreans are definitely doing something right! And I see you like Fibre1 bars. Good call.” We laughed about it, and went our separate ways.

While I was driving home, I was thinking about the words exchanged in the Safeway parking lot. Not the words about the Fibre1 bars, but Hyundai doing “something right” with their cars. Actually, Hyundai has been doing a lot ‘right’ over the last few years that I’ve been a journalist. Not only did Hyundai implement the 24/7 program a couple of years ago – a program that consisted of launching 7 new products in 24 months; hence the 24/7 name – but the Korean auto manufacturer has continually been upping the safety standards, build quality, refinement and overall appeal of its vehicles. The new Elantra is an example of the above characteristics.

Starting at a mere $13,625, the 4-door Elantra sedan offers its driver a comfortable cabin, a 5-speed manual transmission and a 16-valve, DOHC, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. Up the price tag to $16,325 and you’ve got the Elantra SE. It not only comes with keyless entry and power door locks, mirrors and windows, but air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped around P205/55R16 tires, redundant audio controls on the steering wheel, dual front airbags, fog lights, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA (brake assist), a rear spoiler, and the list goes on. Throw in an amazing 5-year/60,000-mile comprehensive warranty that incorporates a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and life gets even better.

Looking at the Elantra, it’s not hard to see why Mr. Parking Lot was impressed with it. The four-door sedan has clean, tight lines on the outside and in. Its body-style is fresh and upbeat (the Elantra went through a metamorphosis for the 2007 model year), but also mature enough to appeal to both the young and not-so-young. Underneath its unmistakable continental silver exterior paint scheme is a steel cage with side-impact door beams and built-in front and rear crumple zones to enhance safety.

On the inside, along with those airbags the Elantra’s cabin is spacious and refined, with a total interior volume of 112.1 cubic feet that includes 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space. I particularly liked how the interior is set up. The placement of the buttons and gauges are ergonomically-friendly and the elevated driver’s seating position allowed me to have a good view of what was going on around me. The cloth-upholstered yet heated front seats also made my mornings a little warmer, especially since the weather on the Wet Coa… I mean West Coast hasn’t been very Spring-esque lately. Nevertheless, the gloomy sky didn’t get my spirits down when driving to and from work or wherever life and the Elantra took me. The suspension setup, with gas-charged MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar up front and a rear multi-link system with a stabilizer bar in the rear was just peachy for everyday driving, absorbent enough over rough inner city roads while still capable of managing corners with verve. Rear seat passengers enjoyed it too, as there’s a lot of room back there. Parents will appreciate the LATCH child safety seat anchors tucked between the lower cushion and backrest of each rear window seat.

Whether it’s everyday driving to and from work, or to the gym, or for that matter the grocery store, the Elantra has a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. So, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to operate the car, or buy it. Not too shabby.

Overall I quite liked the Elantra. I did find, however, that when putting the 5-speed manual transmission into reverse it was sometimes a little fussy. I couldn’t always shift from first to reverse directly. I had to push in the clutch, shift from first into neutral, let up the clutch and then push the clutch in again to slot the shift lever into reverse. My boyfriend liked to call this a ‘safety’ feature. I liked to call it a pain in the butt. After all, men are from Mars! Just kidding. This only happened occasionally so I’m pretty sure it was an isolated case, as I haven’t incurred this problem in any of the other Hyundai’s I’ve driven.

Gearbox niggles aside, it’s quite a testament to me to see the growth of Hyundai Motor Corp. in such a positive direction. From the first time I drove the base model Accent to when I drove the top-of-the-line Santa Fe, the cars just keep getting better. While the Elantra SE is no Mercedes C230, literally, it is a finely-tuned piece of Korean engineering that even luxury car owners can be impressed with. And with all of the options and features, not to mention good looks inside and out, the Elantra is a luxury vehicle in its own right.

Source: Automobile.com