Hyundai’s latest Elantra Blue falls just short of the Corolla

[xcel]

In an attempt for Fuel Economy leadership, Hyundai makes a 2_mpg jump but just misses the goal

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Sept. 17, 2009

Hyundai Elantra Blue Model – 26/35 and 29 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

We have not posted much on Hyundai so it was a welcome surprise to see them moving the bar of their std. compact helping its future buyers save a little at the pump and saving the rest of a few gallons not consumed. . The Elantra for 2010 brings out its "Blue" model achieving a city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 26/35/29 mpgUS.

Engineering improvements to the 2010 Elantra lineup improves fuel efficiency by up to four percent across the board. The newly found fuel economy capability gives the Elantra an advantage in price-per-MPG ratio although it still trails its peers when it comes to TCO due to lower resale values.

To make the Elantra Blue, engineers added a "smart" system, lower friction engine components, revised transmission gear ratios, engine calibration changes and a shift indicator to last year's Elantra GLS manual. This new high mileage Elantra will be indentified with unique "Blue" badging. From the "Blue" edition, the rest of the Elantra line receives its lower friction engine components, "smart" alternator management system and an improved lock-up torque converter to maximize fuel economy at highway speeds.

Hyundai Elantra - Fuel Economy (mpgUS) improvements from 2009 – 2010

Model	City mpg '09 to '10	Highway mpg '09 to '10	Percent Increase
Blue	24 to 26	33 to 35	8 percent city, 6 percent on hwy compared to '09 GLS M/T.
GLS	25 to 26	33 to 34	4 percent in city, 3 percent on hwy.
SE	25 to 26	33 to 34	4 percent in city, 3 percent on hwy.

2010 Hyundai Elantra BLUE compact

The Elantra Blue edition delivers excellent fuel economy without adding thousands of dollars to the price. In fact, Elantra Blue is the lowest priced Elantra in the lineup. The Elantra Blue practices Hyundai's high-value approach to standard equipment with an array of standard features. The Elantra includes standard safety features including front, side and side curtain airbags, ABS, 4-wheel disc brakes, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), active front head restraints and adjustable head restraints for all seating positions.

A partial list of other standard features includes: power heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows with driver's one-touch down, remote keyless entry with alarm and trunk release, variable intermittent windshield wipers, multiple storage areas, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, tachometer, tinted windows, two 12V outlets and tilt steering wheel.

A/C, a 172-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters and in-glass antenna, iPod(R)/USB auxiliary inputs and cruise control are available options as part of the $1,700 Comfort Package.

Hyundai warranty

The all-new Hyundai Elantra’s are protected by the Hyundai Advantage. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Elantra buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

The 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue – 5-speed MT is available at your local Hyundai dealers starting at $14,145 + $720 destination.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I wonder how much of an improvement I'd be able to see out of one of these as compared to my '02?

[aca2983]

I hope they tweak the Accent.
I live near a Hyundai dealer, and the hatchback Accent is actually kind of cute.
It is to me what the Civic would be like if it hadn't gotten all larded up and designed to appeal to the masses.

[ALS]

Every little bit helps. If Hyundai averaged 2 mpg increase a year in five years the car would be getting 36 city /45 highway /39 combined.

If every manufacture increased gas mileage at that rate across their fleets the Camel Jockey's would be crying in their barrels of oil.

[WriConsult]

This is great that Hyundai has finally gotten the Elantra's FE in line with the Civic's. I rented one a few years ago, and was impressed at how far Hyundai had come and how close to a Civic that car was in quality. I'm sure the latest ones are even better.

Any confirmation that the Hyundai Touring (the wagon version, which in a world of overbuilt "crossovers" is a wagon that actually gets similar mileage to the sedans it's based on) will receive these changes too?

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

Any confirmation that the Hyundai Touring (the wagon version, which in a world of overbuilt "crossovers" is a wagon that actually gets similar mileage to the sedans it's based on) will receive these changes too?

Fueleconomy.gov lists the 2010 Touring as 23/31 MT and 23/30 auto.

[phoebeisis]

WriConsult-I've become a GM booster, so I have to mention
Chevy's Equinox-187 inch ,3700 lb crossover-is rated 24/32-.It is the leader of the pack-mpg wise-for small midsized SUVs and SWs. Of course, it seems overpriced-base is $23000+ I think. One member here has one and I seem to remember he gets >35 mpg on hy trips. I have no idea why Chevy gets such mediocre MPG with its Cobalt and Aveo when they obviously know how to get good mpg.

What do Elantras actually sell for? They used to be heavily discounted.Seems like you used to be able to buy one for not much more than $10,000?

Charlie

[WriConsult]

Elantra Touring is about $17k MSRP. The sedan is at least a couple thousand cheaper, though you won't get one for anywhere near the price you might be able to get on an Accent (which I think still do go for under $10k on occasion).

Wow, at 24/32 that Equinox really does get impressive mpg for its size. Personally neither I nor my wife could wrap our brains around the idea of having a 3700lb vehicle, but it would be an excellent choice for a lot of families shopping in this segment. Good mention.

[99LeCouch]

Rumor has it a brand-new Elantra is in the pipeline for 2011. Hyundai has a buzz-kill of a car with the current gen sedan. I bet the new Elantra will incorporate many of the technologies seen here, and better driving characteristics. Hopefully they will have improved the rear suspension, because the current Elantra has a terrible design with poor components. A member of a Hyundai Elantra forum I frequent had many rear suspension issues, which contributed to their selling their 07 Elantra. Sorry, Hyundai, you dropped the ball with this one.

The Elantra Touring is based on the European i30 wagon, and bears no resemblance to the Elantra sedan aside from the engine and the name.

[Ophbalance]

They need to bring the Elantra hybrid, minus the CNG engine, into the states... or better yet, stick that bad boy in the Accent . I was actually going to pester you on this Wayne, as there has been zero coverage of the "blue" stuff since spring. Good to know they actually did it.