Recall Alert: 2011-13 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai is recalling 186,254 model-year 2011-13 Elantra sedans due to a problem with the air bags that could cause an injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected sedans were manufactured from Nov. 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner could become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment. If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it could cut them.

In a statement to Cars.com, the automaker said it was aware of one minor injury resulting from the problem. A motorist suffered a cut to his ear during a significant collision in a 2011 Elantra that caused the side curtain airbag to deploy.

Movers & Losers: March 2012

The Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius were in high demand in March, with just-released 2013 Elantra sedans staying at dealerships just three days before shoppers take them home — proof that if a car is executed right, it can sell fast even in its third year.

There are still nearly twice as many 2012 Elantras versus 2013s in Cars.com's national new-car inventory, and the 2012s moved briskly, too. They averaged just 10 days on dealer lots in March. That's well below the month's 41-day average, which was a tick slower than February's 39-day average but it's faster than March 2011, when new cars took 48 days to sell.

2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe and GT Video

The Elantra's popularity is skyrocketing. Strong sales, rave reviews and big awards are keeping us talking about Hyundai's compact sedan. New coupe and hatchback versions only add to its buzz factor. Building off the sedan's new-for-2011 fluid design language, the coupe offers a sportier take on Elantra, and the GT's hatchback adds a measure of functionality. Cars.com editor Mike Hanley applauds Hyundai for widening the Elantra’s appeal with two new body styles. 

Next Hyundai Elantra Debuts Overseas

If you didn’t have the Busan International Motor Show on your radar, you probably didn't expect to see Hyundai’s redesigned compact take a bow. But there it was, the Avante as it’s called in the automaker’s native Korean market. Unlike the reveal of the revamped Accent last week, there was no confusion in the press release about this being the new Elantra that will eventually be sold in the U.S.

Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore would not confirm if this model is anything like what the U.S. will get, but he did confirm a new U.S. Elantra is planned. “As part of our 24/7 (seven new products in 24 months) product surge, we will unveil a new Elantra in the U.S. later in 2010,” he said.

The exterior is a radical departure from the current Elantra, but it's right in line with the new design of the Sonata and Tucson, which have seen brisk sales. The front of the Elantra looks a bit like the Mazda3, but the profile and rear are much more similar to the new Sonata.

Unfortunately, we can’t confirm if the 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder and six-speed automatic will be found in the U.S. version, but it’d be a good bet. Hyundai says the engine is 10% more efficient than its closest competitors, but the company wouldn’t be more specific on that.

We expect other options like high-intensity-discharge headlamps and rear LED taillights to stay overseas as well, but we’ll know more during the next U.S. auto show season that kicks off in Los Angeles in November and runs through the New York auto show in April 2011.

For now, check out more photos below.

Hyundai Advances Dealers Cash for Clunkers Funds

The government hasn’t finished registering dealers for its Cash for Clunkers program yet, and rules for how funds will be distributed haven’t been released to the public or dealers. Hyundai isn’t waiting, however. The company is supplying cash funds to dealers now in advance of CARS going into effect. In fact, it already paid one car shopper last week for turning in a 1995 Ford Explorer while purchasing a new Hyundai Elantra Touring.

Hyundai is being aggressive with its latest incentives, as the company is one of the few to see sales success since the economic downturn. It’s still offering its Assurance plan, and this month it launched a gas incentive good for $1.49-a-gallon gas for a year.

You can check out our up-to-date guide to Cash for Clunkers here, as well as a full list of eligible vehicles (by mpg) here.

Hyundai Expedites Benefits of Cash for Clunkers (AutoRemarketing.com)

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder does everyone a favor in his review of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring, which is to explain just what the word “touring” means when attached to a car model. Turns out, the answer varies (which means no one really knows). In this case, however, the Touring is a four-door hatchback version of the Elantra. Check out Wiesenfelder’s full review to find out if Hyundai scores a hit with the Elantra Touring.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Review

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Priced at $18,495

 

Hyundai has announced that its 2009 Elantra Touring will start at $17,800. This puts it well behind competition like the 2009 Scion xB, which starts at $15,750, and the Pontiac Vibe, which starts at $16,100.

The Elantra Touring is a five-door version of Hyundai’s Elantra Sedan and comes with several different option packages listed after the jump. The price doesn't include the destination charge of $695. Hyundai says the Elantra Touring will be available at dealerships in the first quarter of 2009.

Hyundai to Launch Efficiency-Focused 'Blue' Lineup

Hyundai will soon debut gas-conscious variants of its Accent and Elantra compact cars: the 2010 Accent Blue and 2010 Elantra Blue, it announced at the L.A. auto show. Available in summer 2009, the models take a page from GM's playbook; the Detroit-based automaker recently launched a handful of "Xtra Fuel Economy" cars and trucks. Like the XFE models, Hyundai's Blue models use readily available technology to achieve better gas mileage.

To boost fuel efficiency, Blue models get more slippery aerodynamics, new engine tuning, low-rolling-resistance tires and a unique final-drive ratio. Official gas mileage estimates aren't yet available, but the current Accent and Elantra get up to 26/35 mpg city/highway and 25/33 mpg, respectively.

Hyundai says the Accent Blue and Elantra Blue will also be the least expensive versions of these two cars. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the 2009 Accent starts at $11,070, while the 2009 Elantra's base price is $14,120.

Cars.com Videos: 2009 VW Jetta TDI, 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, More

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Forget all your misconceptions about diesel cars, the Jetta TDI is a diesel that’s as clean as a gas engine, Joe Wiesenfelder says.

2009 Hyundai Elantra: If you want a car with cargo room but an SUV is just too big for you, Bill Jackson says you should consider the Elantra Touring, a hatchback with good ride quality.

2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: Based on the entry-level C-Class, the C63 has an aggressive-looking exterior that’s backed by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, Mike Hanley says.

2009 Ford Mustang: Mike takes a look at the last year of the current Mustang. It has an optional glass roof on some trims and offers modern styling cues that mix well with this Ford’s retro look.

View and share all of Cars.com’s videos via YouTube.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Two weeks ago I got the chance to drive an early version of the Elantra Touring due out later this year. I was impressed with the little wagon as were others on our staff like Bill Jackson, our resident Weekend Athlete. We’ll be posting a video with his thoughts on this car in the near future, but for my initial impressions and a photo gallery keep reading.