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2007 Hyundai Elantra: More than Just a Great Deal
Hyundai is steadily making strides in shaking off their old image of producing reliable economy cars short on performance and style, but certainly capable of getting you to the club…although you didn’t mind parking around the corner and walking a few blocks to keep your identity on the low. Well, those days are slowly coming to an end as Hyundai continues to redefine itself by producing vehicles such as the surprisingly spacious Elantra, which boasts more interior space than the Acura TL and more standard safety features than several other cars in its class.
 The stylish Elantra comes in seven models, with three unique trim levels, making it easy to cover just about every customer’s tastes. Each model is equipped with six standard airbags which includes two advanced front airbags, two front seat mounted side impact airbags, and two side curtain airbags to protect front and rear seat outboard passengers. All in all, this airbag combo can reduce fatalities by more than 45 percent according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – not Hyundai. The Elantra also comes equipped with standard anti-lock brakes, and front and rear disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, which provide optimal stopping control when confronted with wet surfaces or emergency situations by automatically adjusting braking force based on vehicle load conditions. Some comparable vehicles in this class still come with rear drum brakes, making the Elantra a very attractive package from a safety standpoint.
The interior is clean and well thought out with enough storage areas to help you forget where you put your travel gear and gadgets including map pockets, seatback pockets, and a handbag strap holder found on the passenger side - a feature integrated based on direct feedback from women surveyed. Traveling with your MP3 player, notepad, CDs, cell phone, and your copy of Automotive Rhythms, The Magazine has never been more convenient. Step up to the Elantra GLS and you will find a 172-watt audio system complete with CD player, six speakers, auxiliary input jack and standard XM Satellite Radio with a subscription for three months free service.
 Outside, the Elantra is doing its part to provide clean air as it is certified as a Partial Zero Emission (PZEV) or Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) “green” vehicle depending on your state of residence. Powering this stylish compact sedan is a 16-valve, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine cranking out 138-horsepower with 136 pound-feet of torque on the ULEV models and 132-horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque on the PZEV models. We found this to be more than ample power in either the manual or automatic transmission models when tackling heavy traffic situations and various hilly inclines while producing a very quiet and comfortable driving experience.
Hyundai still provides one of the best warranties in the game with 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty and seven year/unlimited mileage rust coverage. 24-hour roadside assistance is also provided for up to five years with no mileage cap. Yet, they have a ways to go to shake off their previous image, but by providing quality, performance, and affordability, they’re on the right track.
Starting at $13,395, this is one economy car that provides more than just a low starting price. Bottom line, you get a lot of car for the buck.
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