Updated 2009 Hyundai Elantra
Thread Starter
Speaks French in Russian
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,397
Likes: 100
From: What is G?
Updated 2009 Hyundai Elantra
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
If the visual updates to the Hyundai Elantra you see here are carried over to all markets, which we imagine they will be, the sedan is going to make potential Civic and Lancer shoppers take a long, hard look. Not unattractive in its current form by any means, the Elantra's facelift being unveiled at Auto China next week incorporates a more upscale look in front than the current car. In a sidebar conversation, one of the other editors noted that it's somewhat reminiscent of the beak on early-'00s Acura CL/TL models. Those cars still look good, so this is not a bad thing for the Elantra. The rear fascia gets tweaked as well, with new taillamps being the most obvious change. Inside, the layout appears to carry over, and as you can see, the Chinese model has available woodgrain trim for The People's Luxury. Think of the changes as going from regular vanilla ice cream to that tastier version with the little flecks of real vanilla inside. They're basically the same thing, but you gravitate towards the fancier one. This is how we feel about the new Elantra.
Thread Starter
Speaks French in Russian
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,397
Likes: 100
From: What is G?
I didnt even know they had a current generation to update. What does it even look like?? Im sure Ive seen it before (probably looks like another car as usual).
Anyway, I like this. Front end looks like the new Mazda6 and the rear reminds me of the new updated TSX. The interior is AWESOME with that 2-tones leather.
Anyway, I like this. Front end looks like the new Mazda6 and the rear reminds me of the new updated TSX. The interior is AWESOME with that 2-tones leather.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 1
From: Inside
My cousin has this car (the non-updated model) in Korea, and I was actually rather impressed by the level of quality in the vehicle. I didn't have a chance to drive it--so I have no feel for the car as a driver, but as a passenger in both the back and the front seats, it was a surprisingly pleasant place to driven around in..
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,576
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Can anybody figure out what that long slot on the center console to the left of the shifter is? 
It doesn't seem to be a manual-shift gate.....there's no way to get the lever over there. I wonder if it has something to do with one common console piece for both right and left/hand drive cars. Maybe on right-hand drive cars, the shift lever is over there in that left slot. That's the only thing I can think of.
It doesn't seem to be a manual-shift gate.....there's no way to get the lever over there. I wonder if it has something to do with one common console piece for both right and left/hand drive cars. Maybe on right-hand drive cars, the shift lever is over there in that left slot. That's the only thing I can think of.
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 10, 2008 at 06:06 PM.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
You've seen the current one I'm sure, but you couldnt tell it was a Hiyndai, because it's a straight rip off a Corolla.
Can anybody figure out what that long slot on the center console to the left of the shifter is?
It doesn't seem to be a manual-shift gate.....there's no way to get the lever over there. I wonder if it has something to do with one common console piece for both right and left/hand drive cars. Maybe on right-hand drive cars, the shift lever is over there in that left slot. That's the only thing I can think of.
It doesn't seem to be a manual-shift gate.....there's no way to get the lever over there. I wonder if it has something to do with one common console piece for both right and left/hand drive cars. Maybe on right-hand drive cars, the shift lever is over there in that left slot. That's the only thing I can think of.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,576
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
WOW, Hyundai impresses once again!
That interior looks far beyond the Elantra class. Just compare it to the Corolla and others and it's a world of difference.
The one thing I don't like is the wavy waistline (same on current model).
And the Acura grill is kinda obvious, lol.
That interior looks far beyond the Elantra class. Just compare it to the Corolla and others and it's a world of difference.
The one thing I don't like is the wavy waistline (same on current model).
And the Acura grill is kinda obvious, lol.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
maybe in pictures... it looks good in real life, but beyond? not really. Most people will probably preffer Corolla interior.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,576
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That new Elantra interior that GFerg posted beats even the current Elantra interior by a country mile, and the new Corolla by a mile and a half....although the article states that is a Chinese-spec model. We may or may not see that interior here in the U.S. version (I hope we do).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
WOW, Hyundai impresses once again!
That interior looks far beyond the Elantra class. Just compare it to the Corolla and others and it's a world of difference.
The one thing I don't like is the wavy waistline (same on current model).
And the Acura grill is kinda obvious, lol.
That interior looks far beyond the Elantra class. Just compare it to the Corolla and others and it's a world of difference.
The one thing I don't like is the wavy waistline (same on current model).
And the Acura grill is kinda obvious, lol.