Front seat room
Fne for up to 6-3 height. Seat are comforatable overall but should have lumbar adjustment
Rear seat room & comfort
Aequate for 3 slender adults, or two medium build same height IF from passengers are under 5-11, 6-3 fits in rear.
Past personal experience
This is second Elantra SE. First one is 2007 SE with few flaws.
Feature availability
Well appointed overall, minor idosncracies though. This 2009 vehicle is similar to 2007 with additon of VSC and TCS as far as features are concerned. There is little past that which is any improvement, and most items are downgrades from 2007.
Fuel economy
Engine is 132HP PZEV, not 138 SULEV. Diff in power seems smal but is significant for this car. Mileage worse AND power is less. Unfortunately, states dictate what you can get; CA emissions rule for PA = stupid cop-out/liberal cave-in to greenie-weenies
Interior styling
09 cheap w/large fuel gauge and slow LCD update. 07 has small temp and fuel gauge, with lights for gear; much nicer set-up. 09 Headliner is OK, 07 better. 09 visors are cheap, 07 seems to be same but covered w/cloth & nicer. 07 cupholder works better
Past personal experience
09 elantra bought based on 07 satisfaction. See ride smoothness and interior, but this car has been dowgraded from 07 to 09 EXCEPT steering feel has improved (that is NOT ride or handling - the power assist is less and feels better). 09 handles no better
Audio & nav systems
XM radio controls too limited/poorly thought-out. No RDS for AM/FM, and XM info is poorly displayed. Sound is OK, but XM features are poor. Will not continue with XM due to cost at $12/mo - XM is over rated - many channels the same type, few unique.
