2012 Hyundai Elantra: And that’s a wrap!

For those of you wondering about the title of this article, rest assured that I am using the word “wrap” in the movie sense and not as a reference to a sandwich alternative. In Hollywood, when a shoot is completed and everyone is happy with the work, the day is concluded with the happy phrase “And that’s a wrap.” This statement pretty much reflects how we felt after test driving the 2012 Hyundai Elantra for a several months, an experience that became the subject of several articles.

One of the things we liked best about this sedan was its exterior design, which pleased all of the vehicle’s test drivers. Most observers had good things to say about its lines, inspired by the elegant Sonata. The Elantra’s drivers (and anyone who has sat at the wheel of an Elantra) also offered positive feedback about its modern, practical and stylish dashboard. That said, some of the plastic parts showed signs of wear after just a few months, but it wasn’t enough to suggest that all Elantras will suffer the same fate. Finally, passengers generally found the front seats comfortable and the vehicle reasonably spacious.

• Also: 2014 Hyundai Elantra

Given that this Hyundai has earned several titles since its launch, it’s hard to find anything new to say about its road handling and drivetrain. Its handling is neutral and predictable. However, most people would have preferred a more forgiving suspension – a reflection, no doubt, of the condition of Canadian roads. Youch! The Elantra’s engine is a middle-of-the-road affair, with average output and performances. Actually, it proved a little less noisy this year than the one in the previous generation. Our test vehicle was equipped with a heavily criticised manual gearbox. The clutch pedal was hard to gauge, resulting in several stalls. Fortunately, the test drivers quickly got the hang of it and there were no further issues. And if you’re wondering about reliability, there were no mechanical incidents during these months.
Fuel consumption is up, but still OK

So here’s an interesting story: When our test period started, the fuel consumption rates posted by Hyundai were 6.8L/100 km (city) and 4.9L/100 km (highway). Then, in a move that many would call “scandalous,” the manufacturer actually raised the gas mileage numbers to 7.1L/100 km (city) and 5.2L/100 km (highway).  To compensate for the overstatement, Hyundai Motor Group reimbursed the owners of the vehicles in question. While it is true that there was a discrepancy, it’s not quite what we would call a scandal, as you should always calculate a certain margin. But kudos to Hyundai, nonetheless, for owning up to it.

Our average overall fuel consumption was 7.4L/100 km, which is not far off from the publicized figures. Remember that our testing involved several different drivers, each of whom had a hard time resisting their natural inclination to drive energetically – to the detriment of fuel economy (which ended up being quite reasonable anyway).

In conclusion, we can safely say that the 2012 Hyundai Elantra deserved its titles as North American Car of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year.