Hyundai is recalling 65,000 Elantra sedans for problems with the fuel pump. The faulty pump may lose pressure and affect the engine's performance. The recall covers all Elantras for the 2008 model year that have a 2.0-liter Beta engine. Some fuel pumps may be adversely affected by residue buildup from gasoline mixed with ethanol, a problem that has been affecting small motors as well.
The Hyundai Elantra has earned Consumer Reports' "excellent" rating in predicted reliability among small, high-mileage cars road-tested by the magazine.
It beat out the Honda Civic EX for the top spot, also finishing ahead of the Toyota Prius, Mazda3, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, all of which achieved "very good" ratings in a report on the potential reliability of small gas-saving sedans.
All but the Corolla earned "recommended" ratings. CR said it didn't have enough reliability feedback on the new '09 Corolla to give it a "recommended" rating yet.
"The Elantra's top rating in the small-sedans class shows how far Hyundai has come in the last decade," CR said of the findings in its July issue, which goes on sale Wednesday. "Its cars used to be unreliable and unrefined, with low scores in tests. Now, some compete with the best in their classes."
CR called the Elantra SE "a well-rounded package with a quiet, roomy cabin, comfortable ride, nice fit, excellent braking and very secure emergency handling aided by the standard electronic stability control."
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Cars.com launched its new, comprehensive rebate and incentives page earlier this month, but just having the raw figures isn’t always enough. Often there are some real gems getting a significant amount of money off that aren’t heavily advertised or thought about. This time out we’ve found some interesting deals on a pair of luxury nameplates, a brand-new model and a fuel-sipping compact.
2009 Dodge Journey
MSRP: $19,360
Cash back: $1,000
Percent off MSRP: 5.2%
Expires: 4/30
5-Year Ownership Costs
The new Dodge Journey was just released, and Dodge is hoping that by offering a small incentive, $1,000, folks will be more inclined to give it a shot. That’s because the Journey competes with the popular Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe when equipped with two rows of seats, or the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander when equipped with the optional third row. Still, the Journey’s starting MSRP is significantly less than the competition, even before the $1,000 cash back.
Toyota and Subaru ranked second and third, followed by BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. No domestic nameplate appeared on the list.
Hyundai's new Elantra Touring may not have the visual appeal of a Mazda3 hatchback, but it is reasonably sporty looking thanks to wraparound headlights and a large opening in the front bumper. Tall, thin taillights finish off the rear end.
Poor Canada often plays second fiddle to the U.S. when it comes to the automotive industry. Not all makes and models make it north of the border, but today Hyundai chose to debut its new Elantra Touring hatchback at the Montreal Auto Show.
We’ll know more specifics about standard and optional equipment for the U.S. later, but the standard equipment on the sedan — like four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system — should translate to the hatchback. Other features new to the Touring model are a USB input and standard auxiliary audio jack as well as a new center stack design.
Power still comes from the same four-cylinder engine, but for an economy car it isn’t completely anemic. There are more photos below, and we’ll have full U.S. standard equipment and pricing when the car makes its U.S. debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
Hyundai hasn’t officially unveiled the U.S. Spec Elantra Touring hatchback yet. Instead, it sent us images of a “concept” car it will show at the SEMA aftermarket show next week. The Elantra Touring Beach Cruiser has some questionable color combinations going on, but if your eyes can handle it, they’ll be able to see the actual consumer product that will arrive at dealerships in fall 2008. We also get a look at the interior and dash in the photos below.
Hyundai hasn’t said which auto show the production model will debut at, but it will arrive at one of the major shows over the next six months.
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Early Look at the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring (KickingTires)
Hyundai Adding Elantra Wagon in 2008 (KickingTires)
We first heard news that Hyundai would produce a hatchback version of its Elantra compact sedan back in April. Today, official word has come from Hyundai headquarters that there will indeed be a model called the Elantra Touring. It will debut for the 2009 model year, going on sale in the spring of 2008. The official unveiling will be at the L.A. Auto Show in November, but for now we have the sketch above.
Hyundai says the Elantra Touring will have the same four-cylinder engine found in the sedan, as well as improved handling and a sport suspension. It will also be the first hatchback with standard electronic stability control, and the company says it will have more interior room than the competition, including the Mazda3 and Dodge Caliber.
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Hyundai Adding Elantra Wagon in 2008 (KickingTires)
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2007 Hyundai Elantra Expert Review (Cars.com)
A few weeks ago, Hyundai showed off a wagon called the FD at the Seoul Auto Show. Today, we’ve learned that the new compact wagon will come to the U.S. as the Elantra Wagon.
The wagon will be powered by the same 138-hp four-cylinder engine that’s in the newly redesigned sedan, and it can’t arrive soon enough for Hyundai. Surprisingly, the new sedan isn’t selling near expectations; it’s actually selling less than last year’s aging model. Cars.com reviewed the Elantra recently, and we were impressed with the sedan’s value. Check out a few larger pictures below and tell us what you think of the look.
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