Acceleration good -140 Hp engine with auto trans (pocket rocket).
Fit, Trim, Paint, and handling all good. What a warranty! Youngest son rolled it over and totaled the car (not wearing seat belt). Car dead, son uninjured (bruises).

Transmission failed. Dealer replaced in 2days with rental thrown in. Dealer could have repaired it easily (he said) but Hyundai required him to replace it.

First Hyundai was 1986. Wife loved it. 2nd Hyundai was 2000 Elanta Wagon. Wife really, really loved it. Hard to read negative reviews and believe these people were driving same car. I drive $25,000+ company cars but would rather drive my wife's Hyundai.

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Powerful 4-cylinder 2.0L 140-hp engine, great fuel economy (250+ miles), runs smooth on highways, good pickup acceleration, firm ride, OK handling, clear dash and instrumentation panels, stereo fine for most people, good trunk space, dual airbags.

Audible wind, road & engine noise (no sound insulation), no tachometer, front end styling, poor stereo for my tastes, interior power options not standard, slow and noisy shifting after cold starts [I'm told its completely normal].

As of this moment I have driven almost 18K miles on this car (much more than I had expected) and it holds up pretty well. Actually it just came out of the shop 2 days ago, minor accident, slid and broke front axle. When serviced the car runs almost as good as new. Be sure to keep to scheduled maintenance its worth it (even oil changes). Compact cars tend to require tune-ups more often. Cold starts engine noise & slow shifting can be a pain (especially when you're in a hurry) but goes away after warm-up. IT's NORMAL.

The car is pretty reliable, though I'm an excellent driver sometimes I go fast and take the car to its limits. Rest assured this ISN'T a sports car which you can go whipping around the track (or parking lot) but sure is fun. This car is pretty consistent for everyday driving and commuting. I'm probably biased cuz I enjoy travelling no matter where I go. I love driving. If I get a new one it'll probably be something with better performance like BMW. To sum up, the Elantra is really for commuting; its not a "driver's car".

I am giving this car a *realistic* 3 stars for performance and overall. I think some people are being overly optimistic about this car. Motor Trend or Consumer Reports probably wouldn't agree. The Elantra is designed to be a practical car, nothing more. The car isn't state-of-the-art nor does it have every feature you could possibly ask for. In my opinion I really think you gotta spend more than $12000 for that. I'm not saying no car manufacturer makes cars like that I'm just saying its not this car. Better-than-average value.

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Toyota Camry

Roomy, stylish, VERY quiet (can hardly hear engine at idle!),quality of interior is comparable to more expensive cars. Quick and responsive. Excellent road manners. More bells and whistles than I expected. Pleasant experience all around.

Standard stereo is mearly adequate. Keyless entry system should control trunk, as well.

My first experience with a Hyundai was driving a basic Accent that my company uses as one of its fleet vehicles. These cars are driven hard by many drivers. In one hour behind the wheel, I was impressed with the quick response and tight handling of this cheap little workhorse. I thought'"If this can hold up to such rough use, perhaps Hyundai deserves a look." And what a look! I can honestly say that I LOVE this car! Of course, I've only had it for two weeks. But, my last car, a Mazda PROTEGE Lx, was in the shop 6 times in the first three months of ownership--and it was highly rated by consumer magazines!!

I only paid $1,600 more for my Hyundai in 2000 (with many more standard features) than I paid for my Mazda--IN 1993!! I still can't believe that. I have also heard good things about my dealership which puts my mind at ease. I would heartily recommend this car!

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Nissan Sentra. Sentra interior is not superior. Hyundai side airbags are standard; not so Sentra. Comparably equiped Sentra costs much more.

Decent motor. Alot of car for the money; durable fit and finish (doors close with a heavy thud). Very large side mirrors (one of my favorite features. Increases confidence in lane changes.) Good size trunk. Strong AC. Good ergonomics.

Low end torque seems to be lacking. Loud motor, cabin and road noise is noticable. Late shifting from the automatic. Suspension is taut giving you a somewhat harsh ride in certain roads. Refinement is below its Japanese competitors.

If you do not mind a car that is somewhat less refined compare to its Japanese competition with a loud revving motor and noticeable road noise, the Elantra is a very good deal. For around 13K you can get an automatic with power windows, locks, ABS, moonroof, etc.

If you can drive a stick even better. The automatic seems to shift poorly in my opinion. Still an excellent value and a very good car.

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Test drove this car very recently. Looks aren't bad. In fact, I kinda like the styling. Engine is good, has good power, likes to rev, and sounds smooth. Car comes pretty loaded for a substantially lower price than Protege, Civic (much lower), and Corolla (much lower).

Radio controls are way too small. Interior has a bit of a cheap feel to it. I thought the seats sucked with hardly any cushion. Shifter throws are kinda long and not the smoothest.

Elantra didn't seem like a bad car just not a leader in its class as far as drive quality. But it wasn't at the bottom either. Definitely worth a test drive. I still was very happy to get back into the comfy seats of my '93 Protege. The seats were really 2nd rate in the Elantra (unless you've only driven Hyundai's). I ended up buying a 2000 Mazda 626ES V6 5spd. with 11,900 miles on it for $16,600. A few thousand more than a new Elantra but no freight paid plus you can't even compare my 626 to the Elantra! It's like comparing a Mercedes to a Ford! I know Hyundai's have better warranties but I still think the Nissan Sentra or Mazda Protege are better cars.

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Mazda Protege-The ES costs more but blows away the Elantra in quality, ride, and fun.
Corolla-Well built, lame styling, overpriced for sure.
Civic-ditto
Mirage-overpriced with 111hp as the highest hp engine.

Very good acceleration and handling. Feels solid not tinny. Loaded with features at a reasonable price (under $15,000 with just about everything...moon roof, alloys, spoiler, air, auto, CD, 140hp). Comfortable for four average size people with no cramping. Fun to drive even after 11 months of ownership. Great warranty.

Some creaking from dashboard. Ride could be a little softer, but this is a compact. Inside door handle broke at ten months. Dealer fixed at no charge.

You really have to test-drive this car to appreciate it. I didn't really want an Elantra but my wife insisted I try it. The test drive sold me. After eleven months and 10,000 miles, I still get a smile on my face every time I get in the car.

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The Elantra seems quicker and better handling than the six cylinder mid-sized cars I've owned.

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Uses alot of oil, engine is loud, molding falls off the side's of the doors all the time. the timing belt recently went out and broke the valves and blew the pistons. the altanator has went out in it. this car has been nothing but trouble since I got it.

Brakes down all the time.

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It doesnt.

good car for the money.

the PAINT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! My paint is pitted and I have only 12,000 miles on it. The service I got at the dealer sucked also. Just because I'm a woman they thought I didn't know what I was talking about. They tried to blame it on brake fluid from the back of a diesel truck. Diesel trucks have air brakes. Then they said it was tree sap. Rubbing compound didn't get it out. Then it was sand damage. There is no damage to the windshield headlights or the rubber around the windshield. They thought it was overspray. I have never taken my new car around where they have been painting. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUCKS AT RALLY CHEVROLET AND HYUNDAI

I LIKE MY CAR EXCEPT FOR THE PAINT AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

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Power everything - Good Speakers - Looks Great - Roomier than competition - Great Price - Great Safety Features - Warranty can't be beat - 140 Horsepower

Kind of noisy engine. Not to bad, but it's not to good either. Gas mileage could be better. The reputation of Hyundai.

Overall this is a great car for the price. You get everything of the big names for WAY less. I have put 1200 miles on mine in one week and have had no problems. The only thing wrong with this car is the name. When you tell people you bought a Hyundai they tend to frown. But from what I've read and seen this is a great car. The best time to buy a product is when the company is trying to win back customers. And that time is now. I have read some bad reviews and have come to the conclusion that every now and then a lemon comes out. Happens with every company. Just test drive the one you want for a good 20 miles before you buy it. See if it makes some strange sounds or whatever. Mine so far is living up to what I expected. It's not a luxory car but for the price it's a deal!

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Honda Civic - No horsepower!

Inexpensive, comfortable to drive, good features for the money.

Transmission, Engine Vibration, Trunk Floor weak, Body dents easily, Cup holder blocks radio, floor mats clip pulls out from floor carpet and grommets fall out, seat belts lock up when brake applied and don't unlock.

PROBLEMS from day 1. Severe engine vibration, salesperson said would wear in after a while. Eventually was told it was NORMAL but it DOES go away very infrequently. However, when engine mounts were changed car did not vibrate at all for two whole days. Transmission surges after shifting into second, especially when engine and weather is cold. This was experienced in test drive with dealer service manager who tried to get a new trans from Hyundai and was denied due to no codes when hooked up to computer. Factory service rep was sent out and said I pressed down on the accelerator and caused the surge we felt when we went on test drive (which I did NOT do). Since then, car has stalled around a turn, engine bucked at steady 51 mph, trans shifts back and forth between 2 and 3 at steady 40 mph, engine surges for no reason when driving at 30-40 mph, at stop light engine almost stalled twice but then revved back up. Car has been in many times but all of this is in my head because dealer says "can not duplicate". This has happened when my husband has driven also. We have had the trunk fixed twice because there is NO support except for simple plastic clip that breaks if you put anything over 5 lbs in the trunk. Basically, Hyundai corporate has disavowed any responsibility since factory rep dismissed my complaints as normal. Now when I bring it in for ANYTHING, they hook it up to the computer and tell me there are no codes so they can't do anything. My husband read an article in Transmission magazine that described similar problem with all year Hyundai and some Mitsubishi with a ground wire that disconnects to cause the transmission problems but they won't even try to fix it. I am pursuing the lemon law.

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Much smaller than other cars I have actually owned. However, performance is lacking compared to smaller cars I have occassionally driven.