2007 Hyundai Elantra

snakeweasel

So, scaling the pic proportionally makes it look a little sleeker:

Does scaling it down also make it look darker? There is such a low contrast there that it hakes it hard to see what it really looks like.

doohickie

I think it depends on the pic.

yysyys

I can't believe they are still going with the old engine and transmission. The 2005 Elantra is rated at 24/32 with the auto. With the increased weight and slippery shape I am going to guess the 2007 Elantra will be rated 23/33 with the 4spd auto.

In my opinion everyone is shopping fuel mileage when they shop new compact cars like Corolla, Civic, Elantra. Price and looks are also very high but based on the Corolla sales numbers MPG has to be high.

Comparing the MPG numbers looks like this:

Civic 5spd auto
30/40mpg

Corolla 4spd auto
30/38

Elantra 4spd auto
23/33

And the manual transmissions look like this:

Civic 5spd
32/43
Corolla 5spd
32/41

Elantra 5spd
26/34

I am sure that a Corolla redesign is next year which will most likely include a 5spd auto and fuel mileage numbers to match or better the Honda. If the Elantra is stuck with this powertrain (low mpg and 4spd auto) for the next 5yrs I don't expect them to be a big hit.

snakeweasel

Now don't quote me on this but I think someone said on this forum that while bigger the new Elantra will be lighter (it is possible to do that). Plus it has been said that it will get 4 MPG better gas mileage. We will see when the official numbers come out.

If the Elantra is stuck with this powertrain (low mpg and 4spd auto) for the next 5yrs I don't expect them to be a big hit.

If the car does come in lighter with better MPG than the powertrain will be more than adequet, not the best but will easily handle the car with little problems.

As for the tranny a four speed is fine, if they go to a five speed and basically just shove an additional gear in there with no real change in the gear ratio for the top gear (which many do) then its basically useless. I would really like to see if they can get a CVT and maybe increase the mileage by one or two MPG.

doohickie

I've also heard that the 08 will have the new engine.

snakeweasel

Do you know any specifics? I have heard the possibility of a V-6 option but nothing else. Would this be a new I4?

doohickie

I think the new I4. This is all rumor and scuttlebutt from the web though.

I still haven't given up hope that the new engine will be in the 07s, actually. While it doesn't seem likely, it could be that the new engine has the same power and torque as the old one while getting significantly better mileage.... or that they released dummy numbers until final (EPA?) numbers are available. People have noted the lack of marketing information about a new engine, but it could also be a decision made by Hyundai. They played their cards very close-to-the-vest with the release of the vehicle; they might be holding back final engine information until just before the car is on the market to create a second wave of "buzz", especially if they expected the mixed reviews the styling has so far gotten.

backy

Don't count on it. If it were an all-new engine (e.g. all aluminum, with a timing chain like the Hyundai 2.0L engine now available in Europe) they would have mentioned that during the launch I think.

snakeweasel

Well there is the old show biz axiom that says "always leave them wanting more". If I were in charge of unveiling I would leave the engine in doubt right now. Just look how much we are talking about it now. But thats just the showman in me.

doohickie

Don't count on it.

I'm not... thus the "weasel words":

While it doesn't seem likely,

snakeweasel

I'm not... thus the "weasel words":

HEY!!!! I resemble that comment.

backy

In this case, Hyundai did leave some of us "wanting more"--a new engine to be exact!! But what they did not do is leave any doubt about the engine. The press release described it in exquisite detail. I just can't see Hyundai saying in a few months, "Oh, did we forget to mention--this engine with the same specs as the old engine, it's actually an all-new engine! Fooled ya!!" What I can see Hyundai doing is announcing the availability of a new, different engine as early as the GT (?) announcement later this year or early next year.

snakeweasel

I can't see them coming out and saying "fooled you", but I can see them announcing changes that could include a different engine (as well as other things) in the pre production stage.

And then again they may not.

Not to worried as I don't see me buying one for a few years.

backy

Well, the "Fooled ya!" was there just for fun. Their official press release would never say that of course.

snakeweasel

Oh I don't know, there are companies out there that seem not to take themselves seriously.

alpha01

Now now, the engine isn't everything. Though if MPG doesnt improve it could turn out to be the real deciding factor against the Elantra given the power and efficiemcy profiles of its competitors.

BUT! I'm really stoked about this vehicle's potential crash performance. Hyundai has FINALLY demonstrated it can get things right on the first try... with the new Kia Sedona- the IIHS' first minivan to receive a Top Pick Award. That vehicle marks Hyundai's first effort to ever score both a "Good" in the Offset and a "Good" in the side impact. I hope the Elantra can do just the same, and match its Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza peers.

~alpha

backy

Hyundai had better do as well as the Civic and Impreza--Hyundai's marketeers have already promised us best-in-class safety. They promised that with the Azera and the jury is still out there (unimpressive NHTSA tests, "Good" IIHS frontal test). With the Entourage, and somewhat with the Sonata and Azera, Hyundai has started to live up to its safety marketing hype, which is good for all of us.

enka

hey man Im a really Hyundai fan i cant even explain it but i got to tell you this wait for 07 Elantra to come out because Hyundai always have great deals on their cars so just wait couple months and I hope that u'll get a Elantra thanks.

jyk1981

According to "Kyung-Hyang" newspaper regarding "2006 Pusan Motor Show", Korean Version of 07 Elantra will get 2.0 "theta" engine which is currently used for Korean Version Sonata (144hp). I hope the Hyundai does same thing for the US model.

splx81

sonatabean

#566 of 583 Re: 2007 elantra [njdevil1] by yysyys Apr 19, 2006 (8:29 am)
Replying to: njdevil1 (Apr 18, 2006 10:51 am)

I can't believe they are still going with the old engine and transmission. The 2005 Elantra is rated at 24/32 with the auto. With the increased weight and slippery shape I am going to guess the 2007 Elantra will be rated 23/33 with the 4spd auto.

In my opinion everyone is shopping fuel mileage when they shop new compact cars like Corolla, Civic, Elantra. Price and looks are also very high but based on the Corolla sales numbers MPG has to be high.

Comparing the MPG numbers looks like this:

Civic 5spd auto
30/40mpg

Corolla 4spd auto
30/38

Elantra 4spd auto
23/33

And the manual transmissions look like this:

Civic 5spd
32/43
Corolla 5spd
32/41

Elantra 5spd
26/34

I am sure that a Corolla redesign is next year which will most likely include a 5spd auto and fuel mileage numbers to match or better the Honda. If the Elantra is stuck with this powertrain (low mpg and 4spd auto) for the next 5yrs I don't expect them to be a big hit.

You know, I own a 2000 V-6 Sonata GLS with the equivalent of LX trim (at the time, package 13) and have grown sick of feeding the tank all the time. The car was rated 20 city and 30 highway, but with AC on, those numbers drop to 18 and 28 or so.

Given the predictions by petrol gurus (including the managing editor here at Edmunds) that gas will hit $4.00/gallon this summer, I really want to trade a year or two early and get a high MPG car.

I really like the design of the new Elantra - but I really, really, really want to know something: why are all the Hyundai MPG numbers so crappy when compared with their Japanese counterparts???

I was leaning Corolla at this point - but, for now, I'm going to wait for both the full Elantra data as well as the Hyundai Hybrid info before I decide which car I'll get in 2007 (realistically, I may well have to wait that long).

Still - can anyone comment why Hyundai always seems to be dead-last with mileage data? Are the using the old Detroit philosophy of tuning engines to run rich with the goal of upping horsepower???

choe13

24-32 is for spectras and last gen engine mpg, the new elantra should get 28-35. In regards to more of a scientific way of looking at it, the more torque the better off the line pull but worser mpg. Look at the civic and corolla and they rely more on horse power(usually tend to kick in at a later rpm)

But we are forgetting also that honda and toyota are pretty the best companies in terms of vtec systems, they are like the pioneers for that.

The new elantra won't be the worst but they won't lead either. In terms of future prospects for hyundais engine, that is their next quality "over the top" project , to make engines that will sip better mpg than the japanese. I believe they will be able to do that, no that quality and refinement are on par with the [non-permissible content removed] in other matters

doohickie

Look at the civic and corolla and they rely more on horse power(usually tend to kick in at a later rpm)

= BUZZ BOX.

When car shopping, one of the things that set the Elantra off from the competition was how smooth and quiet it was. The Focus handles better and seems to have more pickup, but it makes a helluva lot more noise. Same for Toyotas and Hondas.

I got kinda crappy mileage with my Elantra (about 25 mpg overall) when I first bought it, but it seems like it's getting better. Part of that is that I've found I don't have to wind it out to 3-4000 rpm to get anywhere. In normal traffic, 2000-2500 rpm usually gets the job done; it just feels so smooth that you don't feel that acceleration tug... but it's moving out just the same. And my mpg's go up by 2-4.

This, I, think, is the reason the manuals tend to get better mileage than the ATs, especially in city driving. If I could "short shift" the car and force it into the lower rpm range, it would still have adequate pickup but get much better mileage.

Unfortunately, low-end torque is not one of those numbers that shows up in sales brochures; it's always the top-end numbers. But who drives their car at redline all the time?

I think Hyundai could get better mileage and still good performance with the AT by using adaptive logic to alter the shift points when it senses a light-footed driver.

germancarfan1

Apparently you haven't driven the 2006 Civic (amazing engine, smoothest shifter this side of 30K), Mazda3, or the Jetta 2.5 (Tons of torque).

The 2.0 Beta engine is the weakest part of the Elantra. It's underpowered, buzzy, and gets crap mileage (i'm lucky to get 25 MPG in my 2004 GLS 5-speed).

snakeweasel

The 2.0 Beta engine is the weakest part of the Elantra. It's underpowered, buzzy, and gets crap mileage (i'm lucky to get 25 MPG in my 2004 GLS 5-speed).

You should be getting better than that. Others are reporting slightly higher than that. I am even close to you with a older (read less efficent) 4 speed auto (again read less efficent).

kingsalmon

I'm getting over 32 mpg on my 2005 GT Elantra. I do about 40% city, 60% hwy driving so I think that is pretty good.

doohickie

Apparently you haven't driven the 2006 Civic (amazing engine, smoothest shifter this side of 30K), Mazda3, or the Jetta 2.5 (Tons of torque).

06 Civic: Nope, wasn't out yet when I looked; plus I was looking for an AT hatchback, a combination Honda didn't offer. I drove an 05 Civic sedan, it was a buzz box (only the Scion was worse).

Mazda3, Jetta- at 20-30% higher cost than the Elantra, way outta my price range. Because I wanted a hatch, I looked at a Golf, but to match the price I got on my Elantra, I would have had to buy a 4-year-old car with 50k on the odometer and no warranty. Mazda was nice, but just too expensive in the wagon with AT.

tsgeisel

Are people really shopping the Elantra against the Corolla? Wouldn't a comparison to the Camry and Accord be a more appropriate comparison?

The Accent to the Corolla is probably more appropriate.

backy

I think the Accent is a closer match to the Yaris. But with the upsizing of the Elantra for 2007 so that it has as much interior room as some mid-sized sedans, it makes an intriguing (albeit lower-powered) alternative to the typical mid-sized cars, especially those with the smaller interiors like Mazda6 and Accord.

averigejoe

EPA shows Elantra has been mid-sized since the new 2001 model, putting it in the same size class as Accord and Camry. The Elantra was about the smallest mid-size car made, much like the 2006 Sonata is now about the smallest large-size car.
What publication's list are you using to classify cars?

doohickie

Regardless of how the cars are categorized, the outgoing Elantra platform competed within the Corolla/Civic/Sentra/Focus segment. Even if technically a mid-size, the Elantra does not have enough rear seat room to compete with even a Mazda6 really.

backy

EPA.

backy

I expect the 2007 Elantra could complete pretty well space-wise with the Mazda6 and Legacy, which both have pretty tight back seats for mid-sized cars. I find the current Elantra has at least as much leg room in the back as the Mazda6. However, the Mazda6 is due to be redesigned in a year or so.

sonatabean

Appreciate the comments.

I guess I'm just gonna have to wait and see, like everyone else!

doohickie

When referring to rear seat room, I'm comparing head room. We have 3 six-footers in the family, and my Elantra's rear headroom is kind of uncomfortable for someone that tall. We rented a Mazda6 and it seemed roomier for my sons.

backy

The 2007 Elantra is supposed to be 2 inches (?) taller, so headroom should be pretty good. My 6'2" son barely fits in the back seat of my Elantras--headroom seems a little better in the GLS sedan vs. GT 5-door (which has a moonroof to boot).

doohickie

Yeah, I got one kid 6-3 and the other is 6-5. They get a little cramped in my 05. 2 extra inches in the 07 should help!

splx81

w/ auto climate control..

doohickie

They've had auto climate control for a while in the Korean market. I don't expect it in the States; too much expense.

azera25

Here is the official/presentation of the Elantra from the Busan International Motor Show with pics, video and all specs:

http://2006motorshow.hyundai-motor.com/

bamacar

I think there is more sharpness to the new Elantra, but it sure does look too much like the Corolla especially the front and back ends. There seems to be a little of the present Sentra thrown in there, too.

I hope it has a lot of other things going for it as the looks to these eyes is pretty generic. Then again the backend of the Sonata looks too much like the 2003-2004 Accord to me also. I always have to pause a second when I come up behind either car to know which one it is, and this is from someone who owned a 2003 Accord.

backy

There seems to be a little of the present Sentra thrown in there, too.

Very little. The tires, maybe? Certainly not the front, back, sides, roofline, or interior.

bamacar

There is a definite resemblance to the front and somewhat overall shape to the Sentra before they messed up its front end a couple of years ago.

backy

You did say "current" Sentra. The grille is much bigger and with chrome strips on the Elantra, also the headlights are much more streamlined, swept back. Lower front scoop/black accent on the Sentra is much smaller than on the Elantra. Fog lamps are different shape. The Sentra has a more formal roofline, not as horizontal in back as the Elantra. There are no bulges on the sides of the Sentra as on the Elantra. The Elantra has no side moldings.

Other than that they could be twins!

bamacar

Okay, I wasn't clear; I meant present generation. Of course with the Sentra, what has that been a decade or something? I think on first glance front end wise, I would mistake one for the other. The back end and the look in general is more Corolla. The Elantra is sharper, but has no unique characteristics.

I like Hyundai, but the Accent and new Elantra are clean but boring. They seem to be playing it too safe. Given the way Toyota is trying to be less conservative, I wonder if the new Corolla may leave the Elantra looking a little dowdy. Then again, I don't necessarily like the fat and busy front end of the Camry so I hope that doesn't spread to the Corolla.

backy

What other car in this class has the side sculpting as on the Elantra? What other car in this class has the upswept window line in back?

All I can say is, it's a good thing you weren't a plane spotter for the RAF back in WWII.

bamacar

The two best looking cars in this class are the Mazda3 and the Civic. Both took chances when they came out and pushed the envelope a little. They may offend some, but they sure took a few risks. Of course, maybe Elantra is above in class size from those two now. The Jetta is another that went conservative like the Elantra. It too looks like a Corolla in a lot of ways.

backy

If looking like a Saturn from the '90s is pushing the envelope, well, OK.

I think the Elantra is somewhere between the Civic/Mazda3 and Corolla/Jetta in terms of avant-garde styling. It's not way out there, but has some unique styling cues to set it apart from the other cars in its class. It's mainstream styling with a flair.

bamacar

So you are one of those offended by the Civic. Yes, the grill looks a little like the Saturn, but otherwise I don't see any Saturn, Jetta, Mazda3, or Corolla. From the raked windshield to the short hood to the dashboard, it is pretty revolutionary. Sales have really taken off unlike the last generation Civic which was not even evolutionary.

Once again, I am not offended by the Elantra, just a little disappointed in Hyundai for trying too hard not to offend anyone.

acronis

This reminds me of the same running discussion that went on with the launch of the re-designed Sonata. Some claimed the rear of the car was Honda-esque. If so that would explain why Honda "re-designed" it(?)Yeah right.

I have seen the comments about this new ride being similar to the Corolla. Could be at first blush it would seem like their maybe some hints but really this car looks nothing like Corolla. It actually is sharper looking and the interior is clean, slick and upscale.

I think when viewed in lighter colors this car smacks quality and subtle sophistication for a car in this class.