Test Drive Hyundai Elantra Sedan since 2010 Sedan

Affordable and kind

We decided to conduct an experiment to compare multiple models in one test (by the start of production), which, however, are still manufactured and sold on the Russian market of new cars. Naturally, we selected cars belonging to one class and, if possible, not very different in price.
Thus, a variety of team, consisting of an old woman Renault Laguna (the beginning of the 1993), mature Mitsubishi Carisma (1995) and Nissan Primera (1996), as well as a very young Hyundai Elantra (summer 2000). Renault, Mitsubishi and Nissan during their lives were already upgraded, but this was mainly mainly cosmetic suspenders and changes in the range of proposed motors. Fully Renault Laguna is updated in the fall of this year, Carisma and Primera will live for a couple more years, and Elantra has at least 5 years.
All cars belong to the class D, and among the variety of modifications we chose medium with 1800-cubic engines (all 4-cylinder, 16-valve) and mechanical transmissions, but with a good level of air conditioning, ABS, alloy wheels, electrical equipment, more Less trimmed music. The most expensive turned out to be Primera (21,700 dollars), significantly cheaper Carisma (20 320) and Laguna (19,570), but the most affordable naturally, Korean Elantra (17 200). Mondering that 4-door sedans are particularly popular, Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Primera, we chose exactly with such a body type (there are still 5-door hatchbacks). Renault Laguna 5-door hatchback (sedan was not produced), and among the modifications of Mitsubishi Carisma we stopped still on the hatchback, as it looks more attractive sedan.
According to the design, cars are not particularly different from each other. All front-wheel drive with the transverse location of the power unit. The most interesting engine at Mitsubishi with the immediate injection of gasoline, which ensures the winning fuel consumption. With respect to the suspension, Nissan is allocated: in front of a double-way, rear dependent with the Scott-Russell mechanism to perceive lateral efforts. You can also note the complex multi-grade rear suspension Mitsubishi.
External appearance, interior
When all the dough participants built in one row for group photography, an unexpected manifestation manifested: the life experience of Renault Laguna looked more attractive ... Despite the age, her style until now remains quite characteristic and harmonious and leaves freshly impression. Mitsubishi Carisma has a beauty of a different kind: everything is smooth, proportionally and concisely, but not least and not remembered. Very similar to standard beauty from the usage-typical advertising. It is even difficult to call a disadvantage, since many needed a generally accepted standard of appearance.
The novelty of Hyundai Elantra is also highlighted from the crowd, but its visibility in the other in a not very successful design of the front of the body a kind of car's face. Most likely, the reason for the rejection was enclosed in a somewhat frivolous pattern of a radiator cladding, which is definitely foreign to the rest, in general, solid style, which resolves and the silhouette, and the rear part of the body. Most likely, after a couple of years, Elantra will subjected to facelifting, which will hope to be more successful.
Nissan Primera has undergone restyling last year. As a result, there was lost modesty, and the car began to look undoubtedly differently, acquiring a more aggressive appearance, mainly due to the predatory cuts of air intakes and eye headlights. The interiors of the entire four are less radical and more close to both equipment and decoration and style. Hyundai is allocated, in which all internal panels are made of rigid plastic, and although his style does not claim much originality, it is unlikely that he will cause someone's rejection. However, in all cases, interior design can not serve as a decisive argument in favor or against the acquisition of these cars.
Ergonomics, capacity
A set of adjustments that ensure the convenience of driver's working posture, all rivals are great enough. On Elantra, Carisma and Primera, the steering column is adjustable by the tilt, and the seat cushion with two barbs can not only rise, but also change their tilt. On the Laguna, the steering wheel is adjusted along the length of the column, and the seat is lowered, rises entirely. Renault Steering Adjustment turned out to be the most successful and provided the convenience of accommodating the drivers of different physique. You can not complain about the layout of the driver's seat Mitsubishi, but Hyundai and Nissan suffer to one, however, not a strong disadvantage: the relative location of the steering wheel and pedals is such that either the steering wheel is closer to the driver, or before pedals have to reach.
The best driver's seat at Mitsubishi Carisma and Renault Laguna, and the first one is a bit sporty, and the second is more comfortable. But in both cases, the seat tightly covers the body, providing reliable lateral support. But the worst was the Hyundai Elantra seat, reminiscent and form, and rather not the chair rather, and the chair. This, of course, exaggeration, but the difference in comparison with Carisma and Laguna is huge. Nissan in this respect middling.
 
Another small detail of a leisure field. Elantra is superbly organized and highlighted by a special finish. With Laguna and Carisma, it does not stand out by an underlined finish, but nevertheless it is convenient, and Nissan Primera is a narrow ledge on the wheel niche, for which the trifle is clinging to the edge of the shoe. So, by the convenience of the driver's location in the leaders of Renault and Mitsubishi, and how is the convenience of passengers in the backseat? If we talk about foot space, then a slight advantage in Hyundai and Renault. When attempting to grasp the threesome, another one, too, also a small plus Hyundai sitting with the edge is not so much drunk in the side of the ceiling. In general, the capacity of passenger salons of all four machines cannot be called outstanding, such as VW Passat or Peugeot 406, but also nothing to scold for.
Also, Rovnotko, our four looks at the luggage compartment. Without folding the rear seat in the volume of the trunk, Nissan wins, and loses to everyone Hyundai, but the difference between them is not so great. With a folded back seat (and this is possible not only on the hatchbacks Laguna and Elantra) in winning, naturally, the hatchbacks are, especially Laguna, in which the volume of the luggage compartment grows up to 1335 liters. In fairness, it is necessary to once again note that Primera and Elantra are also produced in the modifications of the hatchback.
Dynamics of acceleration, braking
Four cars of almost the same weight and 1800-cubic engines with not so much different output indicators, all this foreshadowed an approximate equality of the dynamics of overclocking participants of the test. This was confirmed by the acceleration rates of overclocking to 100 km / h from the place. However, in reality, the Four crashed into two noticeably different from each other. The leader's pair includes Renault Laguna and Hyundai Elantra their motors willingly spin and provide good craving in medium and high revolutions. At the same time, Renault is ahead of Hyundai due to the best elasticity of the engine. It's nice that the most active twisting of both motors is accompanied by moderate, and most importantly with soft sound. Switching gears on these cars is quite long, but clear, especially in ELANTRA, on which each inclusion is accompanied by a clearly felt transmission fixation.
From the pair of outsiders, Nissan Primera was particularly disappointed with a lot of noise, and a rather coarse tonality, with a very modest recovery of a striking difference from leaders. Shift gear Short-speed, but not very clear. Mitsubishi carisma and quieter, and much more dynamic than Primera, but it lacks cheer in the zone of low revolutions. Switching gear media and by travel, and for definition. As expected, the braking process on all four cars did not cause significant comments. For the first time, sowing behind the wheel of each of them, even in the urban sustrone, do not experience difficulties with the accuracy of dosing efforts to the pedals.
Controlness, smoothness
Finally, Nissan Primera got the opportunity to recoup her handling against the background of the remaining test participants looks like a truly sports. Accurate steering with high sensitivity and good reactive action, small body rolls and a large stability margin in turns will deliver true pleasure to lovers to prescribe the right trajectory on winding tracks. Not so much lags behind Primera and Laguna. Of course, it is softer in his reactions and more cubed in turns, but nevertheless does not lose good mutual understanding with the driver. The controllability of the Mitsubishi Carisma and does not have to scold, and it is not particularly praised for. The behavior of the car does not strain the driver, but also a trustful dialogue between man and the car does not work. CARISMA is a good vehicle, but not for active drivers.
Hyundai Elantra can be considered as Hyundai Elantra, but with one reservation. As soon as the speed goes beyond urban restrictions, the car begins to demand almost constant shallow steer correction to maintain straight movement. It seems that the steering drive lands stiffness. It cannot be said that this effect is sufficiently strong to become dangerous, but the fact that he additionally loads the driver and reduces the pleasure of driving undoubtedly. In full compliance with the theory, the sports-managed Primera turns out to be worse than the opponents in the smoothness of the course. However, in this context, it does not mean it unacceptable. Yes, the suspension is harsh, but at the same time the energy-intensive, so with serious breakdowns it copes well.
Hyundai Elantra on the smoothness move reminded the best sports-oriented sedans from prestigious European manufacturers. The character of the work of the suspension would like to be called harsh comfortable. The irregularities are carried out by very economical strokes of the suspension and are transmitted to the body although clearly, but elastically, without harsh blows. Connoisseurs of the comfort of the suspension in the traditional understanding of this word will have to choose between Renault Laguna and Mitsubishi Carisma. In order to give preference to one of them, you need to try out much more different roads than we could have time.
 
Hyundai Elantra.
+ 
1. Dynamics of overclocking
2. Capacity
passenger Salon
3. The overall feeling
solidity
- 
1. Registration
front
car
2. Lack of accuracy
steering
3. driver seat shape
 
 
Nissan Primera.
+ 
1. Sports
controllability
2. Volume of baggage
branches
- 
1. Noisy
and not enough
tractor motor
2. High
price
3. controversial
appearance
 
 
Mitsubishi Carisma.
+ 
1. No
essential
disadvantages
2. Seat shape
driver
- 
1. No
bright advantages
 
 
Renault Laguna
+ 
1. Expressive,
almost unstarting
appearance
2. Good combination
controlness
and smoothness
3. Dynamics of overclocking
- 
1. Model,
removed
with production
RESULTS
So, won Laguna and arithmetic, and emotionally. Of course, you can add somewhat significant to this statement. The most weightful is as much as legendary Japanese quality and reliability? I agree, this is not an empty sound, but we could actually prove it, just increasing the test run of times in 200-300 times. Therefore, it is limited to those conclusions that can be made during a short first acquaintance.
Laguna did not facilitate any nomination of our test, occupying 1-2 places in each form of competition. Moreover, the car did not cause any essential complaints, if not to take into account, of course, a completely new Laguna will appear in our stores in our stores. If, taking into account this, trade will reduce the price for another several thousand, then the Francus can have a queue.
Hyundai Elantra and without any discounts are significantly cheaper than their rivals. At the same time, the reproaches to it are not so much: the curious grille of the radiator, the unsuccessful form of the front seats and the lack of steering accuracy. In general, the new Elantra produces a much more solid impression than its predecessor. If you are not much worried about saving in the cost of a car and you are not a special fan of active management manner, then the best choice will be Mitsubishi Carisma. This is a bright example of a pleasant car in all respects. It is beautiful, convenient and practical (albeit little bit). Add a 3-year warranty to this, and its popularity in Russia will become quite clear.
The feeling of some disappointment left only Nissan Primera and, mostly because of the engine: overclocking dynamics clearly does not match the noise accompaniment of the motor. It's a shame, especially against the background of the excellent manageability of this car. The test performed convincingly showed that well-preserved parents often can give odds to not too experienced children.
Roman Sergeev
Photo by Alexander Nosdrin
 

A source: Cars