2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited Verdict

Long Term:

It Is What We Thought It Was

By Kirill Ougarov | Photos By Motor Trend Staff | From the April 2013 issue of Motor Trend  |  

Engine1.8L L4

Power148 hp / 131 lb-ft

TransmissionAutomatic

Seats5 adults

MPG29 City / 40 Hwy

MSRP$ 17,595

A few months before Hyundai sent our 2012 model year Limited-trim long-termer, we put the 2011 Elantra ahead of eight of its compact competitors in one of our famous comparos, praising it as "really stylish, authentically sophisticated, and content rich." We also had some reservations. "Sure, there were complaints, primarily about an EPA-certified 29/40-mpg fuel economy number that we did not come close to replicating. Among the gas-burners, the Elantra's 25.9 mpg in mixed driving was solidly mid-pack. Our crew also wished for a bit more crispness in the handling dynamics and steering." Having spent a year with the 2012 Elantra, both assessments were entirely spot on, though as time passes, gripes always magnify more than compliments. Fuel economy would prove the main source of controversy and complaints. The initial three-month figure of 28.9 mpg combined didn't raise too many eyebrows, but the first update's figure of 25.6 mpg certainly did. Economy subsequently improved slightly to an even 26.0 mpg, peaked at 26.9 mpg in March, and finished at 26.5 -- as was the case with the comparison car, well short of the EPA's 33-mpg combined figure. As logged in the notebook, our Elantra rarely made it past the 30-mpg barrier, even on long highway trips in the hands of some of our softer-footed drivers. Our fuel-economy related difficulties were partially explained in early November when Hyundai (and Kia) adjusted fuel-economy ratings on numerous vehicles. That included the Elantra, whose rating went from 29/40/33 to 28/38/32.

It's not fun, but it's feature-rich, looks good, and gets the job done.

One person who felt particularly vindicated was associate online editor Christian Seabaugh, who often goes on 1100-mile round trips from Los Angeles to Redding in the name of love. On one occasion, he made the drive in the Elantra and went out of his way to try to achieve the then-touted 40-mph highway mark. He did so by sitting on Interstate 5 with cruise control set at the 70-mph speed limit and the A/C turned off. (Fortunately for his physical well-being, he did this in early March.) He also contemplated resorting to more extreme hypermiling techniques like drafting semi trucks, but thought better of it when he realized just how long it would take to get through the Central Valley at the 55-mph truck speed limit. The effort netted him 39.8 mpg, a figure the Elantra would not reach again. Two issues arose during the Elantra's stay. The first, a rattle in the front-passenger door caused by a loose wire, was sorted during the first dealer service. The second, excessive wear on the steering wheel manifested by the peeling of the outer layer of coating from the top section, was not. The dealer told us the steering wheel is not covered by Hyundai's otherwise generous warranty. It's unfortunate that we encountered these problems with our 2012 Elantra, because while the compact sedan is a far cry from a driver's car, it has the amenities to be a good commuter. For example, Hyundai's navigation/infotainment system is one of the most user-friendly ones out there; Bluetooth generally works smoothly and seamlessly (though sometimes my phone wouldn't connect automatically); and there's the luxury of heated and generally comfortable seats. In fact, our main ergonomic gripe, the lack of adjustable lumbar support, is a detail that has been addressed for the 2013 model year. Additionally, Hyundai equipped the Elantra with enough space to comfortably shuttle four people and their gear (not one complaint was lodged about rear-seat legroom, for example) and enough style (one staffer likened it to a stainless-steel refrigerator) to look good while conveying you to whatever evening event strikes your fancy. Though the feature set is the Elantra's biggest selling point, the $ 23,435 price tag for our Limited is at the upper end of the compact segment, and is liable to make anyone think about skipping an options package or two, opting for the simpler GLS. Still, even after taking into account the downgrade from 40 mpg that torpedoed Hyundai's marketing strategy, the Elantra is worth a look if you're seeking a compact that's more stylish and seems more upscale, and has the features to match. Especially if the weight of your foot is closer to that of a feather than of a lead brick.

Normal-wear cost

Our Car
Base Price	$ 21,205
Options	Technology Package ($ 2100: Navigation system, rear view camera, 360 watt audio system, automatic headlights, proximity key with push button start), carpeted floor mats ($ 95); iPod cable ($ 35)
Price as tested	$ 23,435
Total mileage	24,843 mi
Avg fuel economy	26.5 mpg
Problem areas	None
Maintenance cost	$ 373.13
$ 0
3-year residual value*	$ 14,154
Recalls	None
*Automotive Lease Guide data

download our mobile apps

new car buyer's guide

Research or price cars easily on MT

subscribe and save