2005 Hyundai Elantra Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Hyundai's best-selling car line adds a base-model hatchback for 2005. Elantra comes as a 4-dr sedan or 4-dr hatchback. For '05, GLS and sportier GT trim are offered for both body styles. All Elantras have a 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine and manual or optional automatic transmission. Front side airbags are standard. ABS with traction control is optional. Standard equipment includes air conditioning and power windows/locks/mirrors. GTs add a sport suspension, alloy wheels, and leather upholstery. The new GLS hatchback gets the GT's sport suspension. Hyundai's warranty is among the industry's longest: 5-years/60,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

News

Sources say Elantra gets its next redesign for model-year 2007, with a possible debut in the first half of '06. Details are sketchy, but the replacement appears to be an all-new design that will eventually be adopted for the Spectra at Hyundai-owned Kia. It's said to include a new 4-cyl engine with continuously variable valve timing, an expensive engineering touch for this class.

The new Elantra may also be the first Hyundai to offer a gasoline/electric powertrain. The company says it will soon sell a hybrid in the U.S., but hasn't yet said when or which vehicles may be affected. We'll get back to you once we hear something definite.

2005 Hyundai Elantra Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Cargo room (sedan)

Maneuverability

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
5	4	5	4.1

Test manual-transmission models did 8.4 sec 0-60 mph, brisk for the class. Automatic-transmission versions have only adequate pickup, though the transmission is reasonably smooth and responsive.

Fuel Economy

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	6.7

Test manual-transmission Elantras averaged 25.2-27.8 mpg. Haven't yet measured with automatic, but expect slightly less.

Ride Quality

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	4.6

GTs and GLS hatchback ride about the same as GLS sedan, despite their sport-tuned suspension. Both surprisingly composed for entry-level compacts, absorbing most rough stuff with ease. Some jiggle on freeways, but not severe.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5.4

Elantra is dull but competent, cornering with noticeable body lean but good stability. Non-ABS test car showed moderate dive and good modulation in hard stops, but also early left-front-wheel locking. Sport suspension again makes little difference.

Quietness

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	4	4

Engine has unpleasant high-rpm snarl. Tire noise noticeable on coarse pavement.

Controls

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	5.5

Ordinary but well-done, though some controls on available CD audio system are too small. A few cheap plastic bits spoil basically nice cabin decor.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5

Not midsize-car spacious, but 6-footers will have no complaints, though tall drivers might like more rearward seat travel and steering wheel may not tilt high enough for some. Height-adjustable driver seat is standard. Visibility fine in sedan, a bit better in sloped-tail hatchback.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	3.6

Good head and leg room for two, plus adequate foot space. Narrowish rear-door thresholds don't severely impede entry/exit.

Cargo Room

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
2	2	6	3.9

Sedan's trunk isn't of class-leading size, but adequately roomy. Hatchback combines versatility with 4-dr convenience. Interior fitted with several handy bins.

Value within Class

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	5.8

In features, comfort, and even road manners, Elantra is a budget alternative to the class-leading but costlier Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Mazda 3.

Total Score

GLS sdn, man.	GLS sdn, auto.	GT hatch, man.	Class Average
52	51	55	48.6

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		63

2005 Hyundai Elantra Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 01/25/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

GLS 4-door sedan, manual	$13,299	$12,302	$545

GLS 4-door sedan, automatic	$14,149	$13,084	$545

GLS 4-door hatchback, manual	$13,599	$12,579	$545

GLS 4-door hatchback, automatic	$14,449	$13,361	$545

GT 4-door sedan, manual	$14,849	$13,735	$545

GT 4-door sedan, automatic	$15,699	$14,517	$545

GT 4-door hatchback, manual	$14,849	$13,735	$545

GT 4-door hatchback, automatic	$15,699	$14,517	$545

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

GLS

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes (hatchback).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/driver-seat height adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (hatchback), map lights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

195/60HR15 tires, sport suspension (hatchback), wheel covers.

GT adds to GLS:

Safety

4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, trip computer, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Option Pkg. 2
GLS	$195	$164
Cruise control.

Option Pkg. 3
GLS	$545	$456
Option Pkg. 2 plus AM/FM/CD player.

Option Pkg. 4
GLS	$1,140	$1,016
Option Pkg. 3 plus traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Option Pkg. 5
GLS	$1,350	$1,149
Power sunroof, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player.

Option Pkg. 6
GLS	$1,945	$1,709
Traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, power sunroof.

Option Pkg. 7
GT	$795	$708
Power sunroof.

Option Pkg. 8
GT	$1,390	$1,253
Traction control, antilock brakes, power sunroof.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Floormats
GLS	$75	$56


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
GLS	$395	$269

2005 Hyundai Elantra Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Hyundai Elantra 4-door hatchback	Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	102.7	102.7

Overall Length, in.	177.9	178.1

Overall Width, in.	67.7	67.9

Overall Height, in.	56.1	56.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2635	2635

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	37.0	12.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5	14.5

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.6	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.2	43.2

Rear Head Room, in.	38.0	38.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.0	35.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /121

Horsepower @ rpm.	138 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	136 @ 4500

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	27/34

4-speed automatic	24/32

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Hyundai Elantra 4-door hatchback	Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	NA	5

Front Impact, Passenger	NA	4

Rollover Resistance	NA	4

Side Impact, Driver	NA	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	NA	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2005 Hyundai Elantra Photos

Also in the 2005 Hyundai Elantra Review:

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra Road Test

Hyundai Elantra Prices & Equipment

Hyundai Elantra Specs & Safety

Hyundai Elantra Photos

Hyundai Elantra Full Review

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