Test drive: Elantra looks like a winner

This week, we’re driving the all-new 2007 Hyundai Elantra SE, a roomy sedan that delivers 28-mpg city and 36-mpg highway.

Now in its fourth generation, Elantra has come a long way since it first began dotting America’s highways back in 1992. With stiff competition from Japanese flagships Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, and the fact that Elantra was a Korean-built black sheep amongst the breed, sales weren’t too promising. However, with attention to correcting mechanical flaws, reacting to customer surveys and introducing a novel 100,000-mile warranty (that other manufacturers now deemed appropriate) Hyundai grew into a respected and award winning manufacturer.

Today, Hyundai dealerships are regular stops for car shopping consumers, as many are situated in the midst of “big-three” dealers who have become official Hyundai merchants.

Elantra for 2007 is indeed new, with a longer exterior design, spacious interior dimensions and updated suspension. Outwardly, the curved design immediately catches your glance, featuring integrated fog lights, forthright hood design, chrome accent grille, heated mirrors, distinctive headlights, lower air intake and smartly styled roofline.

The wheelbase has stretched from a first-generation 98.4-inches to its present 104.3, which is 1.6-inches longer than last year’s third generation model. Because of this growth, the EPA now classifies Elantra as a midsize car, although it is still built to battle the same Japanese contingent from 1992 that has likewise grown in size.

Inside, we really like what Elantra offers. An adjustable driver’s seat combined with telescoping steering results in attaining the ultimate in driving position and view. The seats are comfortable and all gauges and amenity buttons are easy to operate. There are numerous compartments and cup holders, although the glovebox is a bit on the small side. Hyundai didn’t forget about the rear passengers, with comfort and room aplenty. Although listed as a five-passenger sedan, we all know that three in the rear is tight, regardless of manufacturer.

In addition to its new design, safety is a paramount feature and worthy of special note. Specifically, there aren’t many cars on the road that start at base price of $13,395 (our SE is a more expensive Elantra) that feature enhanced safety as standard equipment. Included are dual front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and 4-channel ABS 4-wheel disc brakes (no drums here). We applaud Hyundai for this lineup of features.

Under the hood sits a 138-horse 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine hooked to a four speed automatic transmission. With 136-pound-feet of torque, you won’t win any drag races, but you’re sure to travel farther on a tank of fuel. Still, acceleration and passing abilities are acceptable.

Our initial driving impression came via Elantra’s steering wheel, which evoked a “too light for me” response. Personally, I favor the heavier steering wheel experience that relays more information to the driver as to “feeling” the road. (German brands are good at this). Still, we again applaud Hyundai for its tweaked and better-designed suspension thanks to a fully independent design, with McPherson struts up front and a rear multi-link setup with stabilizer bars at both ends.

According to Hyundai, Elantra features a near 50-percent increase in body stiffness over the previous model that helps navigation in every road situation. Elantra SE’s 16-inch tires also assist in handling, and are mated to nice alloy wheels. Now, if Hyundai can relate this suspension stiffness through the steering wheel, all the better.

Important numbers include a curb weight of 2,747 pounds, 14.2-cubic feet of cargo space, 14-gallon fuel tank, 33.9-foot turning circle, and 1,500-pound towing capacity. The only option consisted of $85 floor mats and Hyundai does not charge for delivery or destination.

I checked with www.edmunds.com for some 2007 Elantra owner input, and wasn’t surprised to find near perfect forum ratings. That’s always a good indicator of how popular a new car will be.

Thus, we rate Hyundai’s new Elantra a strong 9 on a scale of one to 10, and expect it to be a real winner at the showroom.

Likes: Design, 100,000-mile warranty, suspension, best value for dollar spent.

Dislikes: No traction control, engine loud at higher RPM, light feeling in steering wheel.