Hyundai Elantra 4 doors 2003 - 2006 sedan

Hyundai Elantra 1.6

Going on a trip by plane, people who are used to counting money choose, as a rule, of the economy class salon. They are ready to put up with a small step between the seats and the lack of pleasant excesses, understanding perfectly well that without additional expenses they will get to the destination with proper comfort. Buyers of Korean cars also believe that they need a reliable assistant at an affordable price, while having a sufficient quality of manufacture. And the appearance of the updated Hyundai Elantra, of course, is a positive fact for this category of customers.

Changes

Koreans decided not to subject ElanTra to comprehensive facelift. They simply refreshed and slightly detected the car that we already familiar with us. The purpose of these measures to give the appearance of the car a more sporting look, which means to attract wider mass of potential buyers. Officially, cars with a 1.6-liter engine and a mechanical 5-speed gearbox are supplied to Russia. The level of configuration is offered two basic GLs and more advanced GLS. We got a car in a rich configuration with air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, heated front seats, a radio and a triple-computer. The most interesting thing is that it is impossible to abandon any option or it is impossible to add cars to cars are sold packages. There is an updated Elantra from $ 12 thousand in the GL configuration to 15 thousand per car in the GLS modification, which has a decent set of additional equipment.

The modest detail has unambiguously benefit the car, although, for example, from a distance of 50 m to distinguish the old and new models will be difficult again due to the minimum of changes in appearance. But slightly frowning headlights are suitable for an updated car much more than in the previous modification, when their aggressive mood was slightly linked to a completely friendly common view of the front. Now the beak of the radiator grill has become more sharp, and the front bumper with oval slots under the fog lights looks more sports. In the profile of Elantra, nothing has changed, this is still a class D sedan with a slightly half-hearted rear part and the absence of any overchorginal solutions. The Koreans limited themselves with a little retouching in the back of the car. As before, the lanterns are located on the ends of the wings, but now in the center of the composition a two -color circle of rotation indicators and reverse. Everything else remained in their places to the joy of those who fell in love with the previous model.

Inside the car, truly Korean values \u200b\u200bare backed up by a hint of European standards in ergonomics. Of course, the quality of the finishing materials (for example, used for the upholstery of the doors) could be different, but do not forget what kind of class we bought a ticket to the salon. The plastic is harsh and, judging by the texture, it will quickly become polluted, but there is no feeling of cheapness. And let it seem strange to someone, but the interior is perceived very holistically. There are completely no details so beloved by other Korean manufacturers in the form of inserts under a tree of dubious quality. A dense, pleasant to the touch fabric on the seats, albeit diverse, but silent plastic are worthy, if not praise, then a moderately positive assessment.

The instrument panel has changed. More precisely, some of its fragments, the main of which is a combination of devices. The dials became convex and united in two eights, between which the computer’s display is located. The previous sub-selection of devices a la Volks-Wagen with blue circles and red arrows, although the rotary switches of the air conditioner and the standard radio exude a bright green glow. The steering wheel is made of soft plastic, the steering column in this version has an adjustment in two planes, it is a pity that there is no leather upholstery of the steering wheel even in the list of options, although it had on the previous model. But they definitely liked the seats: they are quite tough, with a hint of side support and adjustable lumbar roller. In order to take a convenient pose, of course, you will have to twist several regulators, but the result of these manipulations will fully satisfy the driver of a solid complex. High headrests on the back sofa interfere with the view back. As a rule, side-view mirrors come to the aid of the driver, but on Elantra the mirrors on the doors for some reason are made in the shape of a triangle, the sharp end of which falls on the dead zone behind the machine.

The car is not very large, and in general, modest sizes affect the comfort of the rear passengers. The low ceiling will be quite unfriendly on the head, and the width of the sofa allows only two adults to accommodate. However, in fairness it must be said that the knees will not rest against the front seats. The trunk is quite convenient, with a low loading height and a wide enough opening for the sedan. The rear seats can be folded, however, in this case, a narrow embrasure is formed, cut out in the wall of the luggage compartment.

107 horses

It is this capacity that has the only Elantra engine designed for Russian market supplies. A light double-sized 16-valve engine turned out to be a completely predictable unit. He is quiet and calm at idle, but it is worth turning on the transmission and press on the gas, as a whole gamut of sounds from low -tonal to sharp high begins to penetrate the salon. The accelerator pedals and clutch are too soft and uninformative, and it seems that this is the custom of many manufacturers. The lever of a 5-speed gearbox, on the contrary, works quite clearly. Up to 3500 rpm, the car without much enthusiasm reacts to the driver’s attempts to accelerate, but after this line the power of power begins to be felt. The lack of traction in the lower speed leads to the need for frequent switches, because the engine volume is only 1.6 liters. The steering is lacking information and severity, and it seems that Elantra was created in the calculation of Americans who loves such settings. All the time we had to put up with a belated reaction of the car to turn the steering wheel.

The suspension transfers vibrations to the body only when traveling really problematic areas, all the rest of the time it, albeit noisily, but smoothly practices the profile of the road.

As for handling, Elantra is quite tolerably controlled, although the features of the steering make themselves felt. The car predictably enters the turn, and at the time of unloading the rear axle, a smooth skid begins. Drill manipulations and the gas pedal eventually lead to stabilization of the car, but I don’t want to attack the turns on this car. And I want to gain cruising speed and enjoy a completely comfortable ride. I was also pleased with the standard audio system, which was frankly unsuccessful on the previous modification.

GLS modification for the Russian market, cars are equipped with ABS and a system of distribution of brake force. The free move at the brake pedal is small, after which it hardens, and it becomes more easier to control the slowdown and predict it. ABS acts on the principle better than later, that is, it could work later, however, this is a matter of the adaptation of the driver to the car.

Usually at the end of the trip the results are summed up, so to speak, in the emotional and financial aspect. Well, we were once again convinced that cars from South Korea have a good investment. Now few doubt that the consumer properties of Korean cars will improve further while maintaining the current price level. The presence of such a player as Elantra in our market is also interesting in terms of competition with super -successful Focus, because in terms of equipment and quality, Hyundai is closely close to Russian -made Ford. True, Elantra has a branded guarantee for 5 years as a piano in the bushes, and this, you see, is that small weight that can outweigh the scales in favor of the Korean machine.

A person acquiring Elantra may be sure that he spent money on a quality product. He buys a universal car for work and at home, and the refusal of the products of the domestic auto industry transfers it to the next step in the hierarchical ladder. This category includes young managers, and respectable fathers of families, and men, and women. And all these people, as a rule, fly with an economy class, that is, they are not used to spending money in vain.

Some technical characteristics of Hyundai Elantra 1.6
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 4495x1720x1420
Base, mm: 2610
Front/behind, mm: 1485/1475
Diameter of the turn, m: 10.2
Engine type: gasoline discharge 4-cylinder 16-valve
Working volume, cubic meter. See: 1600
Max. Power, L.S./rpm: 107/5800
Max. moment, nm/rpm: 143/3000
Transmission: mechanical 5-speed
Tires: 185/65 R15
Max. Speed, km/h: 182
Acceleration time 0-100 km, s: 11.0
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km: 6.2/7.4/9.4
Top volume, l: 55

Maxim Rakitin
 
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine