Author Topic: CD Article: 2007 Hyundai Elantra (Read 23099 times)

neil · « **Reply #20 on:** October 27, 2006, 05:37:48 pm »

I was never a fan of the S-line, still not, but the car is easier on the eyes in person than in Pictures. Selling well so far, driving is believing so they say.

Minou · « **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2006, 08:22:47 pm »

Quote from: cartalkcan on October 27, 2006, 02:57:11 am

Why are you following the footsteps of Toyota Canada? WHY?

Side and curtain airbags are available ONLY on GL Comfort Plus and GLS!

Corolla also forces people to choose the highest trim ($25,000?) to get extra airbags.

Learn from Hyundai USA. It offers those airbags as STANDARD on every single 2007 model, including the lowly ACCCENT!!!!

The 2007 Mazda3 and the Civic have them as standard on all trims as well in Canada.

Please learn from Mazda & Honda Canada!

I don't share your point of view and think that Hyundai is right in its strategy to offer all the airbags and ABS only in the most expensive trims.

The Elantra is targeted mostly at frugal Canadian car buyers and make no mistake, there are plenty of them out there who made do without dozens airbags or ABS for decades and were perfectly happy. Those wanting all the airbags and ABS will have to put their money where their mouths are and accept to shell out more so they feel safer and more secure behind the wheel.

And to that extent, the '07 GL Comfort (AC, power package, remote keyfob, 6 speakers, heated seats, etc.) is a relative bargain at $17995, undercutting similarly equiped Civics and 3's (but with the airbags and ABS) by about 2K.

Kudos to Hyundai for offering it and the GL Comfort Plus above it wich includes the airbags, ABS and a few other items for $19295.

Look at all the Corollas you see on the roads and the most popular trim is the CE with Pack B or C, both devoid of airbags and ABS. Because it is priced right and offer frugal Canadians what they want and not what they don't.

So Hyundai is probably right to walk in Toyota's footsteps after all.

The story is different in the US. Cars and gas are cheaper and our friends shouth of the border just don't want to hear about small cars while dodging Hummers in traffic. So the only way to peddle the small cars is with all the stuff marketing gurus and security advocates want to jam in our throats.

ArticSteve · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2006, 11:32:18 pm »

If ppl can keep to the base unit with AC and auto then it's definitely worth a look.

Julie · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2006, 12:01:33 am »

Quote from: MdX5 on October 27, 2006, 02:24:40 am

Great pricing....and look at the interior....it seems to be very nice indeed.

Nice!!! Big improvement.

Exterior.... euh....... not really........... (IMO)

I think Elantras are good values, especially used. My friend with the 1 year old Elantra he got for $13,500 is very happy. He is no car enthusiast. He wanted cheap, reliable transportation with space (he has the 5-door).

The car mutes road imperfections like a Corolla.

The car accelerates pretty good, albeit with a noisy, not very refined-sounding engine. Interior on the pre-2007s is..... a little cheapy.

cartalkcan · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2006, 04:43:08 am »

Quote from: minou on October 27, 2006, 08:22:47 pm

Kudos to Hyundai for offering it and the GL Comfort Plus above it wich includes the airbags, ABS and a few other items for $19295.

Well, Hyundai Canada CAN offer extra airbags at least as an OPTION on all trims.

Kudos to Hyundai USA for offering them as standard on all trims at reasonable prices.
The Canadian GL Comfort Plus' similar configuration in USA costs U$14,895 = C$16,660 (GLS + preferred package).

In Canada, the Mazda3 (GX $16,795 / GS $19,995) and the Civic (DX $16,980 / LX $20,630) include extra airbags and ABS-EBD on all trims, of course, along with higher resale value and better reliability records. You don't have to pay over $17,000 to get extra airbags and ABS-EBD in those two better vehicles.

Kudos to Hyundai Canada for losing some prospective customers concerned about both safety and economy. What a nice marketing strategy!

Loudpedal · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2006, 08:27:23 am »

Quote from: sirAQUAMAN64 on October 27, 2006, 03:17:22 pm

The D-pillar design should offer more rear headroom, but sat in it and I don't remember being astounded. Will have to try it again.

Is there a wagon?

Rupert · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:00:57 am »

How can these controls be an improvment when it is the case that more attention is going to be required to operate them. Trying to find the right button to press....looking at the little icons and numbers flashing on the low dial. With properly designed rotating knobs far less distraction from looking at the road ahead is required to operate them. This kind of eye candy has no place in an automobile as far as I am concerned. Thank goodness this company chose to give the public the better rotating knobs as an option. With accidents on the rise, insurance rates what they are and hospital crowding there surely is a case for a regulatory body to take a look at the safety aspects of dashboard controls design so that drivers can pay more attention to talking on their cell phones and looking at their onboard navigation systems.
Regards

safristi · « **Reply #27 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:32:29 am »

I want my Hatch BACK...

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2006, 12:22:45 pm »

You're not supposed to need to adjust climate control while driving; it keeps the car at the set temperature, right? The AIR CONDITIONING (without climate control) has proper knobs. As least, that's how it appears in the pics.

What's the problem?

amorak · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2006, 12:56:43 pm »

I think the term being forgotten here is "familiarity" - That is, people who buy these cars will become familiar with th ebutton placement and it will become second nature.

safristi · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2006, 01:03:32 pm »

"I thgink teh"............are ya familiar wif SPEIL CHUCK!!?......

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:00:36 pm »

Quote from: neil on October 27, 2006, 05:37:48 pm

I was never a fan of the S-line, still not, but the car is easier on the eyes in person than in Pictures. Selling well so far, driving is believing so they say.

I can believe that. I saw 3 new ones yesterday in silver, red and dark blue. Looks decent from the front, but side profiles make it seems a bit bubbly. The "S-line" isn't too noticable in person

safristi · « **Reply #32 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:04:50 pm »

Fundy Elantra....I either dated her or woz on her latest VIDEO...............tha ESS LINE WERKS!!!

FER Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Benhaze · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:09:00 pm »

Quote from: minou on October 27, 2006, 08:22:47 pm

Quote from: cartalkcan on October 27, 2006, 02:57:11 am
Why are you following the footsteps of Toyota Canada? WHY?

Side and curtain airbags are available ONLY on GL Comfort Plus and GLS!

Corolla also forces people to choose the highest trim ($25,000?) to get extra airbags.

Learn from Hyundai USA. It offers those airbags as STANDARD on every single 2007 model, including the lowly ACCCENT!!!!

The 2007 Mazda3 and the Civic have them as standard on all trims as well in Canada.

Please learn from Mazda & Honda Canada!
Those wanting all the airbags and ABS will have to put their money where their mouths are and accept to shell out more so they feel safer and more secure behind the wheel.
...
Look at all the Corollas you see on the roads and the most popular trim is the CE with Pack B or C, both devoid of airbags and ABS. Because it is priced right and offer frugal Canadians what they want and not what they don't.

So Hyundai is probably right to walk in Toyota's footsteps after all.

The story is different in the US. Cars and gas are cheaper and our friends shouth of the border just don't want to hear about small cars while dodging Hummers in traffic. So the only way to peddle the small cars is with all the stuff marketing gurus and security advocates want to jam in our throats.

So Hyundai is probably right to walk in Toyota's footsteps after all.

Then offer these customers a stand-alone option for the side air bags without forcing them into $Ks in the high trim levels. I don't see how you can state with certainty the buyers of the lower trim Corollas wouldn't have purchased the side air bags if they could have. Even Toyota is starting to see the light and has corrected their previous regrettable decision on the 2007 RAV4...

By the way, it is not about feelings but facts!

As more and more studies demonstrating the benefit of side air bags are being published, you can expect the consumer demand/expectations to increase accordingly.

safristi · « **Reply #34 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:11:46 pm »

Aaahh the "consumer demand".................when I look around me ......

..I'd say Consumer demand 99%...GOOD TASTE 1% and shrinkin'.....

Benhaze · « **Reply #35 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:16:23 pm »

Gee Saf, you are on a roll today!

I am also not crazy about this S-line... Reminds me of the previous Tiburon generation... and Santa Fe. The rear also looks a little like another "Toyota" design, the IS250 which is not a bad reference.

for the Interior...

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #36 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:17:51 pm »

Please leave your shrinkage out of this Saf

I agree that the "S-line" is similar to the Tiburon as well. But like I said, it isn't really that noticable in person. Then again when I saw those 3 elentras none of them were parked, so I only got a passing glimpse.

safristi · « **Reply #37 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:19:55 pm »

.."passing glimpse"...............has Wing deleted ma PIC!!!!!

..wots knot ta like about that HATCHBACK "S"chwing Model?

?

Minou · « **Reply #38 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:48:22 pm »

Quote from: Benhaze on October 28, 2006, 02:09:00 pm

Quote from: minou on October 27, 2006, 08:22:47 pm
Quote from: cartalkcan on October 27, 2006, 02:57:11 am
Why are you following the footsteps of Toyota Canada? WHY?

Side and curtain airbags are available ONLY on GL Comfort Plus and GLS!

Corolla also forces people to choose the highest trim ($25,000?) to get extra airbags.

Learn from Hyundai USA. It offers those airbags as STANDARD on every single 2007 model, including the lowly ACCCENT!!!!

The 2007 Mazda3 and the Civic have them as standard on all trims as well in Canada.

Please learn from Mazda & Honda Canada!
Those wanting all the airbags and ABS will have to put their money where their mouths are and accept to shell out more so they feel safer and more secure behind the wheel.
...
Look at all the Corollas you see on the roads and the most popular trim is the CE with Pack B or C, both devoid of airbags and ABS. Because it is priced right and offer frugal Canadians what they want and not what they don't.

So Hyundai is probably right to walk in Toyota's footsteps after all.

The story is different in the US. Cars and gas are cheaper and our friends shouth of the border just don't want to hear about small cars while dodging Hummers in traffic. So the only way to peddle the small cars is with all the stuff marketing gurus and security advocates want to jam in our throats.

So Hyundai is probably right to walk in Toyota's footsteps after all.

Then offer these customers a stand-alone option for the side air bags without forcing them into $Ks in the high trim levels. I don't see how you can state with certainty the buyers of the lower trim Corollas wouldn't have purchased the side air bags if they could have. Even Toyota is starting to see the light and has corrected their previous regrettable decision on the 2007 RAV4...

By the way, it is not about feelings but facts! As more and more studies demonstrating the benefit of side air bags are being published, you can expect the consumer demand/expectations to increase accordingly.

Very valid point. Leave the choice to the customers. Buy the security package (ABS, side and curtain airbags) separately even on base trims and keep the price lower for all the others.

Benhaze · « **Reply #39 on:** October 28, 2006, 03:16:51 pm »

Glad you agree Minou. "Security Package" sounds even cool (it's catchy) and I'd bet would sell well.