Used 2007 Hyundai Elantra Review

The 2007 Hyundai Elantra got a total redesign. Following its usual approach, Hyundai gave the Elantra more standard features than its competitor's get, prices it lower and throws in the market's most generous warranty to boot. Trim levels include the GLS, sporty SE and premium Limited. Now, for the first time, the Elantra features handsome styling with nice lines. Its four-cylinder engine offers the latest technology, now revised for more power and better fuel mileage: 28 city and 36 highway miles per gallon. The Elantra stands on top in two areas, interior space and standard safety equipment. Designed by an American team in California, the Elantra's looks are better than ever, but it still has the soul of a mature person's car; that is, someone who might put practicality ahead of coolness. The 2007 Hyundai Elantra comes in three trim levels, all of which use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Buyers have a choice between five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission ($1000) for each trim level. The 2007 Elantra sedan is the fourth generation of Hyundai's model. The sedan has grown and is technically a midsize car, according to EPA standards.

Elantra Power and Handling

 The Elantra is powered by a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder teamed with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is optional on all trim levels. The engine is modern with continuously variable valve timing, the latest must-have technology in this vehicle category. The ride is good, although a bad freeway with relentless sharp bumps is more than the Elantra can accept without passing on some of the annoyance to the front seats. The brakes are excellent, and the cornering is good. Hyundai says the Elantra is projected to qualify as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle in California, a rare distinction that means it pollutes so little it earns credits for the manufacturer with the EPA. Hyundai says the Elantra's body stiffness is almost 50 percent above the outgoing model's, which improves handling and reduces noise in the cabin. The steering uses electric power assist, and the brakes use discs for all four wheels, while some competitors use rear drums.

Design of the Used Elantra

The 2007 Elantra's styling is totally new, and radically different. It's vastly better looking than before; the Elantra no longer announces that it's for old folks. It's 2.2 inches taller, 2.0 inches wider, and 1.6 inches longer in wheelbase than the previous-generation Elantra. Still, with all the aggressive designs on the road nowadays, a compact car like the Elantra, clean as it is, won't catch many eyes. The Elantra is about an inch longer, 2 inches taller and 2 inches wider than the 2006 model. It bears the Hyundai family resemblance without looking too much like its older sister, the Sonata. Upscale features include body-colored side mirrors and door handles. The GLS has 15-inch steel wheels. The other two trim levels step up to 16-inch alloy wheels and get front fog lights and heated side mirrors. The new Elantra has received a lot of careful work, and could pass for being seamless. At the front and rear fascia, the seams are so tight that the body appears to be one piece, until you look very closely. That quality fitting also reveals itself in the smooth opening and closing of the doors. The Elantra's good looks move this Korean compact car toward the world of the stylish. Its sculpture is clean, with a high beltline running along at the body-colored door handles. It's got a subtle face, with trapezoidal headlamps having rounded edges, leading down and in to a cup-shaped grille with three simple chrome bars. At the bottom of the fascia is a long, slim air intake with two bars. It lacks definitive fender flares because it doesn't need them; the Elantra doesn't shout to be seen. The wheel covers, which are silver plastic on the GLS, look good from a distance.

Inside the 2007 Elantra

The 2007 Elantra is taller, wider and longer in wheelbase than last year's model. The increased size has been used to good advantage inside the spacious cabin; not only that, there are storage compartments galore. The Elantra's interior is noticeably larger, with enough backseat legroom for a 6-foot-tall adult. All trim levels have two-tone interiors with mature styling and quality materials. The GLS is relatively well equipped, with power windows, intermittent windshield wipers, a 60/40-split, folding backseat and dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors. It lacks air conditioning, power locks and remote keyless entry, leather on the steering wheel and shifter, cruise control, a steering-wheel telescoping adjustment and rear cupholders. Some of these features can be added, or are standard on higher trims. Leather and heated seats come only in the Limited trim, where they are standard. The seats are very comfortable and it's quiet at speed. It's long-legged for a compact car, and can run 80 miles per hour without straining. It can seat up to five, but the Elantra is more comfortable with four. The back seats offer ample hip room and adequate legroom.

2007 Used Elantra Lineup

The GLS is the most basic and comes standard with power steering, power locks, windows and keyless entry, power heated mirrors, tinted glass, a 60/40 split rear folding seat with access to the trunk, and 15-inch wheels with full-size plastic wheel covers. The Preferred Package for the GLS ($1500) includes things that most car buyers consider necessary: air conditioning, AM/FM/CD six-speaker sound system, cruise control and foglamps.

The SE is the sporty model and includes all the options in the GLS Preferred Package, plus a telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and 16-inch alloy wheels with wider profile tires. The only option is a Premium Package that includes a power sunroof and heated front seats.

The Limited features leather seating surfaces and trim, and heated front seats. The Sun and Sound package includes a power sunroof and 220-watt premium audio system with a six-CD changer having MP3 capability, with standard XM satellite radio.

Conclusions

The Elantra has at least two assets, interior size and standard safety equipment, that out-do other compact cars. The styling can now hold its own; it's very clean and doesn't try to draw attention to itself. The seats are comfortable, brakes excellent, and cornering good. With a price that's lower than most other compact cars, the Elantra is a worthy competitor in the class. Safety features that come on all Elantra models include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. Visit the official Hyunda Elantra site for the latest updates and information.



Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.