Long Term Review - Second Report

So I have spent nearly two months inat the seat of my Elantra and it has been a truly positive experience. This month I mostly used the Elantra for intra city commutes and the Hyundai felt more than at home. The Elantra just pampers you, be it if you are stuck in traffic or when piloting it through never ending stop- go mayhem. I have always felt that an automatic gearbox is best suited to a diesel engine and it is true in the Elantra’s case too. There is surplus of torque from the refined 1.6 -litre diesel and it feels brisk within an inch of the throttle travel. Then there is the 6-speed torque converter gearbox, which makes most of the power on tap and it completely eliminates the turbolag which makes it an ideal city companion.

The front seats are supportive and wide, making even long stints comfortable. What helped me to drive in the city further was the minimal effort required to twirl the light steering, which made it very easy to maneuver and its small turning circle and compact dimensions also helped in our very tight office parking. The low speed ride is absorbent and the soft suspension makes light work of the biggest of potholes. The long equipment list also kept me engaged when stuck in a jam and the vented front seats cooled off my temper when some hooligan cuts me off in traffic. The only grouse I had with this Hyundai was that the occasional pothole or expansion joints at low-speed revealed the suspensions underlying firmness. Even the suspension travel is quite limited and the car does tend to thud on big bumps. Also, the all black cabin attracts a lot of heat when parked in broad daylight as the air conditioning system works overtime to cool down the massive cabin (thereare no rear AC vents).

When I got a call from Hyundai to take the Elantra as a long termer, I wasn’t too keen on it as I felt it is too old. But how wrong I was. Even four years down the line it looks balanced, is exceptionally well equipped and is very comfortable. I have the Elantra for another month and I am looking forward to taking it on a long trip before I return this impressive sedan from Hyundai.

Date acquired: March 2016

Odometer reading when acquired: 2,408km

Current odometer reading: 9,654km

Fuel efficiency: 10-12kmpl

Photos by Kapil Angane