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2012 Hyundai Elantra 40mpg highway

10K views 37 replies 19 participants last post by  archenok 
#1 ·
According to this Autoblog post, the entire 2012 Hyundai Elantra line will make 40mpg highway. A 29mpg city number was also mentioned.

While the Elantra, like the Cruze is bigger in both size and MSRP, it does seem that the fuel economy wars are in full swing. Perhaps stimulated by the 2008 fuel price spike -- we are now seeing the results of the research and development that may have been induced by that fuel price spike.
 
#3 ·
The Elantra and Cruze are more of the C-segment -- the one occupied by the Focus. So, really, the main competition is with the Focus.

Another reason with the whole fuel economy selling point is that there's beginning to be a shift (again) to environmental protection. Using less gas means fewer emissions, less smog, fewer drilling expeditions in seas that could go wrong and damage an entire ecosyste, etc.

However, with these fuel economy numbers it could make for vehicles in the B-segment (the Fiesta, Accent, etc.) a harder sell just purely on fuel economy. Naturally, if a car buyer were to just look at fuel economy alone, the argument will creep in why s/he should pay for a loaded B-segment car when there's a fairly "base" C-segment car that's the same price and get the same fuel economy.
 
#6 ·
Another reason with the whole fuel economy selling point is that there's beginning to be a shift (again) to environmental protection. Using less gas means fewer emissions, less smog, fewer drilling expeditions in seas that could go wrong and damage an entire ecosyste, etc.
Perhaps in Canada that is the case, but there is a pretty big backlash in the US against environmental stuff among conservatives, so it is unlikely that environmentalism is that big a deal when choosing a car in the US (other than those who were already buying fuel efficient cars for that reason). But people put politics aside and listen when it comes to their own money going into the fuel tank.
 
#4 ·
Evolution of the species...

...it's a good thing when cars in all segments get 40mpg, there's room for efficiency in all sizes and segments. However, once (high) mpg is basically standardized, then other factors come into play, like size, engineering, features, style, etc. In the past, people looking for high MPH had to go small, perhaps smaller than they needed, having sacrificed size for economy. Now, people will make more rational, balanced choices based on other automotive needs.

I bought the Fiesta (in addition to great mpg) b/c of it's rational size for my needs, it's engineering, and it's style. I could have gotten 'More' car with just about the same mpg with the Focus, but chose not to. I think many made the choice the same way.

With high MPG across the line, i think smaller cars will still be purchased in good numbers by those that need/want the size, and the larger cars won't canabalize sales b/c people will be buying them for reasons other than mpg.
 
#12 ·
Keep your mustaches and flannel.

Hyundai's hipster commercial = fail. They've really turned me away from even considering their brand via this one marketing scheme. 40MPG highway? Pfft. Fiesta did it already. Please try harder!
 
#15 ·
Perhaps stimulated by the 2008 fuel price spike -- we are now seeing the results of the research and development that may have been induced by that fuel price spike.
And future mandates.
Don't forget that now, they're talking $4.00 a gallon by sometime this year, and it only going up from there. Deliver me, Fiesta!!
 
#18 ·
I wonder how the driving dynamics are for the Hyundai. The German engineering is evident in the Fiesta (and the new Focus), and editors and owners alike have garnered praise primarily on its teutonic driving dynamics, steering, and styling. Perhaps this will be Ford's key advantage over rivals who claim incremental mileage superiority.

It will be interesting to see how the mass market will decide the sales winner over the next few years in both the b and c segments. As the Fiesta and Focus battle it out, the German designed Kuga will arrive shortly to replace the existing Escape, so that will be another interesting battle. The Japanese were known for fuel efficiency, but their current offerings are a generation behind. I am fascinated to see how they will respond in the next few years (for example when the all-new Yaris and Corolla arrive).
 
#19 ·
I wonder how the driving dynamics are for the Hyundai. The German engineering is evident in the Fiesta (and the new Focus), and editors and owners alike have garnered praise primarily on its teutonic driving dynamics, steering, and styling. Perhaps this will be Ford's key advantage over rivals who claim incremental mileage superiority.
That was one of the big factors in selling me on the Fiesta, among a couple other things. It's not a boring car to drive. Especially when it's equipped with the 5 speed.
 
#21 · (Edited)
And uh, lets not forget.... Hyundai VS Ford.
Just a few years ago the Hyundai was a throw away car. made cheap. I wouldnt buy anything from them.
Way back in 2002 I made a leap of faith and bought a Hyundai Elantra GT. It turned out to be one of the most reliable cars I ever owned. Not a single mechanical or electrical issue with the car for the 5+ years I owned it.

The new Elantra is 1000% better in all respects than my old Hyundai, but I don't like the interior styling at all. Hyundai has come a long way since the 1986 fiasco that was the Excel. In 2010, a Consumer Reports reliability survey ranked Hyundai (including Kia) as the fourth-best automaker. The ratings reflected the performance, comfort, utility and reliability of more than 280 vehicles that the magazine tested.

Never underestimate the competition.
 
#24 ·
I guess if your into korean cars thats what I would say too. I try to buy American, if I have the chance.
So why are you driving a European designed, Mexican built Fiesta? ;)

I don't let the origin of the manufacturer influence my buying decisions. Life is too short to limit your choices. I buy what I like. I started with Ford (an Escort) and currently drive a Ford. In between I've owned cars from Mazda, Acura, Chevrolet, Honda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi.

If you still think Hyundai makes throw away cars I challenge you to take the new Elantra for a test drive.
 
#28 ·
It was designed in Germany and built in Mexico using parts imported mainly from other parts of the world. Dearborn did some design work to help it meet US crash tests and appeal to "American" buyers, but that's about it.

I still refer to it as an "American" car though myself even though the only thing that makes it such, is the Ford name plate on the hood.
 
#33 ·
CR fuel economy for 2011 Elantra

Consumer Reports has finished testing the 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS automatic..

Their fuel economy: 29 overall, 20 city, 39 highway, 35 trip. This is best in its class except for the Corolla (32 overall) and Civic Hybrid (37 overall). They also rated the Elantra best in the class (better than the Cruze and Jetta, which they also have test results up).

The previously tested Fiestas (in a smaller class) had better fuel economy in Consumer Reports testing, despite the Elantra's better EPA fuel economy:

Fiesta SES manual hatchback: 32 overall, 23 city, 42 highway, 39 trip
Fiesta SE automatic sedan: 33 overall, 22 city, 45 highway, 41 trip
 
#35 · (Edited)
58 mpg

there's internet ads I've seen for this elantra boasting 58mpg highway. BUT the specsheet (and the "legal" clicky for the ad) say based on 4.9L/100km highway.

Isn't that math wrong?

*edit* i figured it out... 58mpg ONLY advertised in Canada... because they're using IMPERIAL gallons (kind of misleading no?). They can only claim 48 mpg in the US...
 
#36 ·
If Canadian fuel economy numbers are commonly quoted in imperial gallons, that would not be deceptive, at least for Canadian readers, even though it may be confusing to US readers.

Also, differences in fuel economy tests and reporting mean that fuel economy numbers cannot be compared from one country to another.
 
#38 ·
because (at least when I think in mpg) Canadians do think MPG in US gallons. There's no reason to think Imperial at all since we're quite metric (i say quite because some groceries are still commonly weighed in lbs, and for land we talk about acres).

It's either L/100km, or US gallons to compare with fuel consumption specs from the US. We never use Imperial gallons as a unit of volume. It's ml and L, and occasionally on packages for both US and Canada, fl oz and gallons (us).
 
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