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2008 Hyundai Elantra Review

July 14, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look
Cars.com

the car does not pretend to be hot, hip, sexy or wicked
Washington Post

not necessarily an example of modern style
Kelley Blue Book

interior quality is quite literally hit or miss
Edmunds

Experts at TheCarConnection.com find the 2008 Hyundai Elantra's styling somewhat generic.

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is the South Korean brand's compact sedan, slotting between the small Rio and the mid-size Sonata in the lineup. Completely redesigned last year, the current Elantra sedan is wider and longer, with more interior room than before--enough to make it a mid-size by some considerations.

Of this year's model, Cars.com says, "the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look," noting that "it follows the look of the full-size Azera sedan--which is not the most distinctive design." Rather than generic, Washington Post considers it "unpretentious," stating the Elantra "does not pretend to be hot, hip, sexy or wicked. Instead, it proudly presents its credentials as an economy-mobile."

Kelley Blue Book, on the other hand, praises the exterior of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, noting its similarity to its bigger sibling: "The impressive exterior styling, with its clean lines and sculpted body sides, borrows design characteristics from the larger and more expensive Hyundai Azera."

Matching Hyundai's other vehicles, the interior follows a soft--not edgy--design, with rounded borders and flowing curves. Switchgear and gauges in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra are straightforward and tactile, and the instrument panel's design, with the high-mounted sound and climate-control functions, is convenient.

Kelley Blue Book says the Elantra is "not necessarily an example of modern style," criticizing "the SE's somewhat dated-looking velvety seat fabric, the instrument panel with its expanses of plastic and the over-designed door panels [which] appear a little old-fashioned." Edmunds notes that the Hyundai's "interior quality is quite literally hit or miss," although "the overall design is attractive and pleasing, looking as if it belongs in a much more expensive car."

Conclusion

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra wears soft, organic curves inside and out for a pleasant, if anonymous, look.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier lookCars.comthe car does not pretend to be hot, hip, sexy or wickedWashington Postnot necessarily an example of modern styleKelley Blue Bookinterior quality is quite literally hit or missEdmunds Experts at TheCarConnection.com find the 2008 Hyundai Elantra's styling somewhat generic. The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is the South Korean brand's compact sedan, slotting between the small Rio and the mid-size Sonata in the lineup. Completely redesigned last year, the current Elantra sedan is wider and longer, with more interior room than before--enough to make it a mid-size by some considerations. Of this year's model, Cars.com says, "the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look," noting that "it follows the look of the full-size Azera sedan--which is not the most distinctive design." Rather than generic, Washington Post considers it "unpretentious," stating the Elantra "does not pretend to be hot, hip, sexy or wicked. Instead, it proudly presents its credentials as an economy-mobile." Kelley Blue Book, on the other hand, praises the exterior of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, noting its similarity to its bigger sibling: "The impressive exterior styling, with its clean lines and sculpted body sides, borrows design characteristics from the larger and more expensive Hyundai Azera." Matching Hyundai's other vehicles, the interior follows a soft--not edgy--design, with rounded borders and flowing curves. Switchgear and gauges in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra are straightforward and tactile, and the instrument panel's design, with the high-mounted sound and climate-control functions, is convenient. Kelley Blue Book says the Elantra is "not necessarily an example of modern style," criticizing "the SE's somewhat dated-looking velvety seat fabric, the instrument panel with its expanses of plastic and the over-designed door panels [which] appear a little old-fashioned." Edmunds notes that the Hyundai's "interior quality is quite literally hit or miss," although "the overall design is attractive and pleasing, looking as if it belongs in a much more expensive car." ConclusionThe 2008 Hyundai Elantra wears soft, organic curves inside and out for a pleasant, if anonymous, look. 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look" Washington Post: "the car does not pretend to be hot, hip, sexy or wicked" Kelley Blue Book: "not necessarily an example of modern style" Edmunds: "interior quality is quite literally ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra stands out in its class, pragmatically, with a roomier interior, a more settled ride, and better drivability than most of the cars in its segment, but many of its rivals have it beat for personality or sportiness. The Civic, Spectra, and Mazda3 all feel sportier on the road, with more responsive handling and a better feel of the road, but each of those models arguably has more road noise inside and a ride that isn't quite as smooth. The new-for-2008 Ford Focus is a close competitor, with a softer, smoother ride and a quieter interior than in years past, along with a refined powertrain, but the Focus's interior just isn't as spacious. The Elantra's 14.2-cubic-foot trunk capacity also beats Civic and Corolla. The Corolla has long been the segment benchmark, but the current (outgoing) model is especially conservative; to its credit, the Corolla gets especially good fuel economy. The Elantra's long warranty is only matched by the Kia; Hyundai's warranty--five years or 60,000 miles comprehensive and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain--gives it a distinct advantage to buyers who want to keep the Elantra for a long time with no financial fuss.

Next Steps:

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See the Hyundai Elantra in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Debra J Jensen #1, Posted: 9/29/2008

    CD Player

    I purchased the 2008 Hyundai Elantra in June. The CD player has already started burning the CDs and Hyundai has refused to stand by them. They want to put a "reconditioned" CD player in this brand new car. In other words, they are taking a radio that someone else has had trouble with and put it in my car. They are aware of the problem but refuse to stand behind the product they endorse. I will never recommend Hyundai to anyone.

  2. By Kumar #2, Posted: 6/15/2009

    Just pure fun :) Purchased this car a year ago, and still loving it till today. For the price you pay, this is the best in the market. Engine performance is great, and the interior setup is neat and clean.

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