2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Testing and Finalists
No longer something you'd find In a 99c store
By Matt Stone
Last year's Car of the Year winner, the 2006 Honda Civic, reset the bar for the compact-sedan segment. Everyone is still attempting to catch up to its blend of design, quality, features, value message, and fun-to-drive nature. Hyundai has taken a credible shot at the class-leading Honda with a piece that offers much of its goodness for less money.
The Elantra is all new this year, save for its basic powertrain architecture, which is refined but largely carryover. The new look is courtesy of Hyundai's Southern California design studio and, unlike too many previous Korean offerings, is clean, smooth, and unburdened by fussy details. It's taller and wider than its predecessor, increasing shoulder and headroom; the EPA credits it with seven cubic feet more interior volume than the vaunted Civic. One of the Elantra's legit bragging points is that it offers six airbags standard (front, front/side, and curtain). You can't get side-impact airbags on a Cobalt at any price. Hyundai wasn't stingy with the goodies: Other standard items include electric power steering, anti-roll-bars front and rear, ABS--even a cabin air filter. The interior fabrics, vinyl, and plastics don't yet rank with the best of the Japanese offerings, but that gap has narrowed substantially. All the controls are logical and easy to use.
At 138 horsepower from its 2.0-liter DOHC ULEV I-4, the Elantra is a little down on power compared with several other offerings in the segment, but in real-world driving, the engine moves the car well enough and is relatively quiet and smooth in doing so. Choose between a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Driver types will want the SE, with splashes of leather trim about the cabin and 16-inch rolling stock. It's a good handler, but not as confidence-inspiring as this year's Sentra or the reigning Civic.
| 2007 Hyundai Elantrao |
| Base price range | $13,995-$17,295 |
| Price as tested | $16,380 (SE) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan |
| Engine | 2.0L/138-hp/136-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Curb weight (f/r dist) | 2881 lb (62/38%) |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Length x width x height | 177.4 x 69.9 x 58.3 in |
| 0-60 mph | 8.9 sec |
| Quarter mile | 16.6 sec @ 82.9 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 133 ft |
| 600-foot slalom | 64.7 mph, avg |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.78 g, avg |
| MT figure eight | 28.5 sec @ 0.56 g, avg |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 28/36 mpg |
| Sum Up | Doesn't reinvent the category, but plays well as a straightforward, affordable car. |
| Bet you didn't know | The Elantra is the first Hyundai car to be styled at the company's new design studio in Irvine, California. |
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