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When you compare the base features and options that Hyundai offers to that of a Mazda or Honda the Hyundai vehicle is better equipped. For this reason alone I selected a Hyundai product over a Mazda which I have owned three in the past fifteen years.
Like the aero dynamics of the 2013 Elantra.
Controls are well laid out. A 6' 2" individual fits nicely in the front seat with still plenty of room for a passenger to sit behind them. In fact I don't have the seat all the way back on the rails, which is uncommon in this size of car. Plenty of headroom and the ergonomics of the interior is very user friendly.
Really like the large front and rear windows. Though find the front pillars are not positioned exactly where I would like, have to be a bit more cautious of people stepping out into traffic. But for everyday driving is excellent. Excellent vision when backing out of a parking space.
Comparing a base Elantra to a base Mazda 3 and Honda Civic the features and options you get in your base sticker price for an Elantra you would have to pay extra to get the same options in a Mazda 3 or Honda Civic. Heated seats is a big plus, especially if you live in Canada. Mazda and Honda you have to pay extra to get this option.
The electronic power steering is one of the features that lured me to purchase the Elantra. I like how nicely it corners, now if Hyundai could match tires to handling they would have a win win scenario. Unfortunately the 16" Continental Tires have considerable road noise and don't seem to run smooth; would suggest the MXV4 from Michelin to get a smoother ride with less road noise.
The current 16" Continental Tires are so noisy and do not give a very smooth ride even on the most flat surface you can find (a freshly paved stretch of Highway 401). Hoping dealership will change them over to MXV4 Michelins.
Just don't seem to be able to hit any of the gas mileage reported amounts. 10 to 15 litres per 100 KM seems to be the norm with combined city and highway driving. Dealer keeps telling me I need to "break" the vehicle in to get good gas mileage. Range odometer doesn't reset to 591 kms on fuel ups either. Takes several fill ups before it seems to work correctly for a while. Dealer can't find any issues with it.
Have driven a standard transmission for most of my 30 years of driving a vehicle. Constantly stalling the 6 spd manual on my Elantra. Again, Dealer is stating that I need to "break" the transmission in.
When I took ownership of the car it seemed to be a "dust magnet". Not sure what coating Hyundai uses during dealer prep for the first two weeks of ownership I found I was constantly washing the car. Finally have used a good paste wax and polished the car and now find that the finish retards dust, pollen as expected. While polishing the car found several imperfections in workmanship. I.E.,the bottom of the front grill is not that secure and I suspect some issues with a good cold winter with lots of snow and ice. Concerned it make break or crack. Found the plastic hold downs on the plastic pieces behind the rear seats had not been pushed into place. Also, the negative battery cable was not tightened down during dealer prep and cost me a "boosting" charge from CAA which Hyundai refuses to reimburse.
As far as Don Valley North Hyundai is concerned there is nothing wrong with the car, just needs time to be "broken in". For it difficult to make arrangements to bring the car to look at some of the imperfections and problems was experiencing with the car. Even calling Hyundai head office seems to show a lack of customer service that would be expected. Maybe I shouldn't have paid cash for the car??? Seems they now have my money and don't really care about taking care of their new customer. If things don't improve will probably sell the car and go back to a Mazda.
Overall the Hyundai experience has been so so. I've rented lots of Hyundai products over the past year from Budget (in Canada) and from the experience and use of those vehicles I decided on a Hyundai (instead of a Mazda) as my next new vehicle. The car looks great (2013 midnight black Elantra GL - 6 sp manual) but unfortunately is experiencing a tire and gas mileage issue which I hope the dealership/Hyundai will resolve.
