NM Magazine - April 2012.pdf - Naked Motoring SA

nice and pleasant driving experience for the whole family,
and that’s what these are… family cars.
So saying the car’s top speed is a shade over 200km/h and it
will apparently (according to the manufacturer) get from
zero to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds. Braking from 100km to zero
however takes a leisurely 42 seconds, which is a bit long for a
car in this class especially considering it has ABS brakes with
EBD.
The seating is comfortable, but not incredibly supportive
especially in aggressive handling situations… but again, this
isn't a performance car so expectations such as these are
misplaced.
On the open road the car is comfortable and quiet. It coasts
along nicely and thanks to a very smooth 6 speed manual
gearbox, with nice ratios it can comfortably cruise at 120km/
h without the need for gearing down on hills. Midrange
acceleration is a bit slow, but that boils down to the low
torque figure. It will however get you there, and in a car like
this that is all that really counts.
Boring, perhaps the drive but when you consider all the
other factors then this car makes quite an attractive
purchase option.
Hyundai have come far with this car and they have to be
commended for a job well done. My personal view of the Car
of the Year decision process aside I think that this car will do
incredibly well and I also think that Hyundai’s future looks
very good.
First the Sonata and then the Accent and Elantra. From here
where next? They have now set the benchmark quite high
and I am keen to see what the Hyundais of the future are all
about. I believe that they can only get better, because
Hyundai have been a lot worse, and unlike some others they
at least have learned from their mistakes.
Best car of the year? In my view no, but then again that is
just my opinion. It is however irrespective a very nice car
that is built nicely and it offers pretty good value for money.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say, so before making a
final decision go and drive one of these and find out for
yourself whether or not you are Hyundai material.
I like the Elantra and it has my vote as a very decent, well
priced family sedan.
Test car with grateful courtesy from
Hyundai South Africa
Photographed car with grateful courtesy from
Hyundai Strydom Park (011) 791-4441
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