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2009 Hyundai Elantra Review

June 15, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

plush cloth upholstery, attractive plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces belie Elantra's pricing
ConsumerGuide

unpretentious
Washington Post

impressive exterior styling
Kelley Blue Book

the overall design is attractive and pleasing, looking as if it belongs in a much more expensive car
Edmunds

Editors at TheCarConnection.com note that the styling of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is in no way off-putting—but it's also pretty generic.

Kelley Blue Book praises the exterior of the 2009 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." The Washington Post is also a fan of the 2009 Elantra's styling. The reviewer 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." Of this year's model, Cars.com says "the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look," remarking that "it follows the look of the full-size Azera sedan—which is not the most distinctive design."

Regarding the interior, reviews fall on both sides of the matter. 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." ConsumerGuide likes the "large, clear gauges" and explains that "climate and audio controls are simple and handy." 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." ConsumerGuide concurs, reporting that "plush cloth upholstery, attractive plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces belie Elantra's pricing. So does its classy blue dashboard lighting."

Conclusion

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra is quite softly styled both inside and out. It won't turn heads, but it also won't offend.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:plush cloth upholstery, attractive plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces belie Elantra's pricingConsumerGuideunpretentiousWashington Postimpressive exterior stylingKelley Blue Bookthe overall design is attractive and pleasing, looking as if it belongs in a much more expensive carEdmunds Editors at TheCarConnection.com note that the styling of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is in no way off-putting—but it's also pretty generic. Kelley Blue Book praises the exterior of the 2009 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." The Washington Post is also a fan of the 2009 Elantra's styling. The reviewer 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." Of this year's model, Cars.com says "the new Elantra adopts a taller, curvier look," remarking that "it follows the look of the full-size Azera sedan—which is not the most distinctive design." Regarding the interior, reviews fall on both sides of the matter. 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." ConsumerGuide likes the "large, clear gauges" and explains that "climate and audio controls are simple and handy." 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." ConsumerGuide concurs, reporting that "plush cloth upholstery, attractive plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces belie Elantra's pricing. So does its classy blue dashboard lighting." ConclusionThe 2009 Hyundai Elantra is quite softly styled both inside and out. It won't turn heads, but it also won't offend. 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STYLING | [7 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "plush cloth upholstery, attractive plastics, and many soft-touch surfaces belie Elantra's pricing" Washington Post: "unpretentious" Kelley Blue Book: "impressive exterior styling" Edmunds: "the overall design is attractive and ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Toyota Corolla has long been the benchmark in this class; even given its recent redesign, the Corolla stands as competent in every way but not at all exciting, and the Corolla’s interior isn’t as warm or nicely detailed as the Elantra’s. The Elantra's long warranty is only matched by the Kia. In terms of sedans, many rivals to the Elantra have it beat for those seeking a sportier feel. The revised Ford Focus sedan 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 Honda Civic and Kia Spectra sedans both feel sportier on the road, but each of those models exhibits more road noise inside and a less plush ride. The Mazda3 is a top rival for the new Elantra Touring hatchback model; the Mazda3 still outdoes the Touring with its interior and its responsive handling and steering feel, but the Touring is a lot more exciting to drive than most of the mentioned sedans while offering better cargo versatility.

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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

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