The one who counts Honda Civic And Toyota Corolla the most popular compact city cars, probably did not take into account the more than two dozen options that compete with them for consumer attention. Each of them attracts with its combination of talents. Among them are the 4th generation Hyundai Elantra(HD), whose cardinal virtues include low price And long term guarantees.

The first generations were not pleased with the quality, but times have changed and the Koreans have greatly improved the quality of their cars. The 2006-2010 sedan was redesigned from head to toe (as before, the HD was sold under the name Hyundai Avante in South Korean domestic market) still lives in the subcompact budget segment, but no longer feels like a waste product. It's loaded with convenience and safety features, and if you're considering a used Civic or its equivalent, give the Elantra a chance—it's worth the money.

Pros:

• roomy interior and trunk for the class;
• well thought out interior;
• easy to use controls;
• good comprehensive overview;
• resistance to low temperatures- starts perfectly in cold weather;
• generous standard equipment;
• quite playful dynamics;
• affordable price;
• cheap spare parts and service.

Minuses:

• design for everyone;
• weak paintwork;
• small ground clearance;
• poor results in crash tests;
• There is practically no sound insulation;
• leisurely acceleration;
• inarticulate steering, “wobbly” steering wheel at low speed;
• creaking plastic and rattles in the cabin;
• uncomfortable folding of the rear seats;
• instruments are difficult to read in the daytime;
• the car is sensitive to the number of passengers and cargo.

Peculiarities appearance

Thanks to the lengthening of the wheelbase, wider track and slight increase in height, the Elantra sedan received a significantly larger internal volume than before and is now classified as a midsize car, although it still looks and drives like a compact.

Finalizing previous model with a claim to European style, the designers of the 4th generation Elantra gave the classic body shape a smoother contour with a “winding” relief, gracefully curved folds on the sides and corners rounded in all the right places. They, in their own words, resurrected the exterior of the 1960s and 70s called the “Coca-Cola bottle style.” The nose has become smoother and dumber, chrome grille sharper, optics much more fashionable; The entire front fascia has changed, giving the 4.5-metre machine a visually wider stance and a sleek, streamlined shape.

Hyundai says that it tried to follow the appearance of the newly released (in 2005) full-size Azera/Grandeur sedan (which, however, contrary to the manufacturer’s assurances, not everyone was pleased with its design). It cannot be called distinctive, because many details echoed elements of other models. Even with unique fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheel disks, the car was too reminiscent of the Toyota Corolla, especially back. It's not that the car looked awkward - no, its styling didn't turn anyone off, but it didn't inspire universal admiration either.

Among other changes, there are body-colored side mirror housings and door handles, and they have become standard on all Elantras. They were pleasant to touch and looked better than before. This was welcomed by buyers, given that the vast majority of competitors came with black plastic parts in basic configurations.

Perhaps, main feature 4th generation became extinct from model line hatchback - in 2007, he changed his name to Hyundai i30 and began his own life, leaving the sedan in splendid isolation. Hatch was featured on Geneva Motor Show in March 2007 and already in July it became available to residents of Europe and Australia. It was designed in Germany, as a result of which it acquired distinctly European features, and marked the beginning of the i-line with alphanumeric model names indicating their class.

Interior: comfort and practicality

Inside, the 4th generation Hyundai Elantra (HD) has also been redesigned. Apart from some cheap touches like unsightly door panels and a rubber steering wheel, there was little to remind you that you were sitting in budget car. Dashboard covered with soft-touch materials, the buttons began to look high-quality, and the ceiling acquired a high-quality woven texture. Moreover, amenities appeared in abundance, most of which were considered superfluities in this price category- illuminated rear view mirror, telescopic steering wheel, sunglasses holder, rear armrest with built-in cup holders... The car now has everything you need for comfortable travel.

Standard equipment included air conditioning, CD player, tilt-adjustable cruise control steering wheel, rear fog diffuser, power windows, locks and mirrors. Remote keyless entry and alarm system also included for free. Those who bought top models GT, could enjoy a unique dashboard with purple backlit instrumentation, gray leather surfaces and a snug fit leather steering wheel. True, the purple tint made the devices not the easiest to read at night.

The seats, wrapped in woven fabric, are more comfortable than before, offering, among other things, good rear support. The owners were pleased with them, although they complained about poor lateral support and said that they would like a little more elasticity - the pillows seemed overly soft. The manufacturer gave everyone the opportunity to order leather upholstery for additional money, but adjusting the lumbar area of ​​the driver's seat turned out to be unavailable.

Hyundai emphasized that the cabin new Elantra 5-10 percent more than many competitors. In fact, the front is much more spacious for tall people with long legs. There is ample legroom, eliminating the need to rest your knees on the front panel, and the headroom of the adjustable seat has increased by a couple of centimeters. But even having installed it on maximum height, the pilot did not rest his head on the ceiling (although we must take note: the Elantra with an overhead hatch reduced the distance to the ceiling by 3-4 cm).

Unfortunately, not much good can be said about the rear three-seater sofa - there was no additional space there. According to the papers, the car was a five-seater and was positioned as very spacious. vehicle for the whole family, but actually accommodated a maximum of 4 adults due to the tightness in the back row. The seats were located high enough from the ground, so that the legs were tolerable, but the overall reserve living space remained tight. The bench backrest was split and folded in a 60/40 ratio, providing access to the trunk, whose volume ranged from 375 to 402 liters - more than almost all major Elantra competitors HD.

Road impressions

Despite the fact that the Elantra initially did not seem very tempting, in the capable hands of an unpretentious driver it turned into a very good car. The owners considered its main advantage to be its reliability and reliability even in the most severe conditions. climatic conditions. The Koreans really did a great job of adapting the car to low winter temperatures: even at -30 degrees it started without problems, and after 10 minutes of warming up, the cabin became warm, like home. The excellent ergonomics of the driver's seat, where everything is at hand, was also impressive. Buyers were pleased with the sedan’s unpretentiousness in terms of fuel quality, and low price for spare parts, as well as their availability, however, low quality These same spare parts were disappointing.

Among the most unpleasant shortcomings, car owners named weak suspension, a tear-jerkingly small ground clearance, an overly light steering wheel, a large turning radius that makes it difficult to maneuver in the dense conditions of a densely populated city, and light bulbs that often burn out. The last problem was the easiest to solve - elements that had become unusable were replaced with Japanese ones, after which they could be completely forgotten. As for the rest, I had to put up with it and get used to it. Rear suspension really seemed too soft: when fully loaded(what’s up, even with four people in the cabin) the car sank very much, which significantly affected the dynamics and significantly increased fuel consumption.

The car swayed on corners, the rear floated, the steering seemed weak at low city speeds, although it returned to normal as the pace increased. Plastic creaked in the cabin, and small ripples could be heard rattling. There was no decent sound insulation - too much road noise penetrated into the cabin at high speeds, ruining the driving experience and reducing passenger comfort.

The owners called the extremely low ground clearance one of the main disappointing aspects. The manufacturer stated it at 160 mm, but people did not intend more than 150. The car’s bottom stuck where other cars could easily pass, so rough terrain was out of the question - this front-wheel drive vehicle was intended exclusively for driving on city streets.

Around town, however, the Elantra was surprisingly playful and accelerated with verve, at least with the manual transmission. Drivers noted that they need to get used to the five-speed manual transmission, because at first it can be difficult to move off smoothly and give up in reverse, but in general manual box they liked it more than the slow-thinking 4-speed automatic. Despite the size surge, the 4th-generation Elantra weighs less, and even while continuing to use the old engines, it feels much more peppy.

Available power units petrol 1.6L Gamma I4 (from 105 to 122 hp) and 132-140 hp 2.0L Beta II I4 were offered, as well as a turbodiesel 1.6L CRDi U-Line with 16 valves and four cylinders (85-115 l .With.). Cars sold in different countries were more or less clean in terms of exhaust gases and gave out more or less Horse power, but all engines showed signs of improved fuel economy.

In 2009, the model received a retuning of the suspension and steering, after which it earned a lot of praise for its much more civilized behavior and stability at high speeds. She learned to handle turns with ease; body roll did not disappear, but no longer bothered passengers. The new shock absorbers coped well with road roughness, the ride of the car became smoother, as a result of which trips became much more enjoyable.

Verdict

Hyundai Elantra 4th generation (HD) 2006-2010 is a comfortable city sedan that occupies a worthy place in its price sector. Reliable, unpretentious in maintenance and economical in all respects (fuel consumption, tax, spare parts, maintenance). One of the disadvantages of the machine is considered great loss in resale price, but this benefits the buyer of a used car: in Russian secondary market a car can be bought for 250-450 thousand rubles, new at one time it cost a little more than 10,000 euros. Alternatively you can look at Kia Spectra, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Toyota Corolla, Opel Astra.

Sales market: Russia.

The fourth generation Hyundai Elantra, codenamed HD, was presented at the New York Motor Show in 2006. For the new model, a completely new platform. Appearance The car was radically transformed and began to resemble Santa Fe. The dimensions have also changed, making the interior more spacious.

The Elantra safety system was worked out more thoroughly: body rigidity increased, optimized deformation zones and load distribution channels appeared. In addition, the car is equipped with six airbags, active head restraints and ABS systems and ESP.

Russian buyers can purchase a Hyundai Elantra with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine producing 122 hp. (154 Nm). The engine can be operated with either a manual or automatic transmission. There are several trim levels to choose from: Base, Classic, Optima and Comfort.

In May, the presentation of the fifth Hyundai generations Elantra, which will be sold on the market South Korea called Avante. The new model will receive a 1.6-liter engine and will be the first Korean car C-Class, which combines GDI systems and a 6-speed automatic transmission transmission

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The fourth generation Hyundai Elantra (factory index J4/HD) went on sale in Russia in November 2006. Serially assembled until 2011, when it was replaced by the fifth generation Hyundai models Elantra 2010 model range(factory index MD). The new generation of the Hyundai Elantra IV model was presented at the spring auto show in New York.

Appearance new Hyundai Elantra became nobler and more restrained. Base fourth generation increased by 40 mm and amounted to 2650 cm. Even the most picky critic will not be able to find in Hyundai exterior Elantra 4 influences from the “big Japanese brother”. Sly squint of the front optics, wavy side stampings. The muzzle became wider and larger. The radiator grille has increased. The air intake mouth has become solid with triangular blocks integrated into it at the edges fog lights. Head optics irregular curved-elongated shape seems to flow onto the front wings. Redesigned rear trunk lid, different shape rear lights. Fourth Hyundai generation The 2006 Elantra received body-colored moldings instead of the black ones that adorned the previous generation models.

Inside the cabin of the 2006 Elantra model series there is not a hint of budget savings. The front panel has nothing in common with the third generation. The oval monitor is equipped with a blue backlight. The display, in addition to traditional information, displays information about the operation of the ventilation and heating system. The climate control buttons are large and translucent. The front seats have become 35 mm higher due to a new fastening (not directly to the floor, but first to a special tubular frame). The steering wheel has additional adjustments for height and reach. WITH right side The center console now has a folding hook on which you can hang a handbag. The fourth generation of the Hyundai Elantra 2007 model series inherited from its predecessor a not very convenient lever for opening the trunk lid, located in the recess of the driver's door pocket. But the buttons for controlling the electric drive of windows, mirrors, central lock located on the armrest driver's door, are placed at an angle of 45%, which makes working with them much easier.

There are armrests on the back seat, pockets in the doors and on the backs of the front seats. At shoulder level, the fourth Hyundai Elantra sounded 40 mm, at the level of the driver's shoulders and front passenger- by 22 mm, at hip level - by 32 mm and claims to be one of the most spacious in its class. The backrest of the rear row of seats folds in a 3/2 ratio, and it can be “filled up” from the side luggage compartment. Volume luggage compartment compared to the previous generation, it has increased by 45 liters and amounts to 460 liters of useful cargo volume. The back of the sofa is lowered onto the back row cushions, forming a high step. The rear speakers are located in the panels rear doors, which does not interfere with the process of loading and transporting oversized cargo.

IN minimum configurations Hyundai Elantra is equipped with front airbags. In top-end assemblies of the Hyundai Elantra 2007 model series, two side airbags have been added to them.

In the line of power units on Russian market a 1.6-liter modernized gasoline engine with variable valve timing producing 122 hp was offered. and a 2.0-liter engine with 143 hp. For the European public, the fourth generation Hyundai Elantra was also available with a 1.6-liter, 115-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine with direct injection. Transmission – 5-speed manual or 4-speed adaptive automatic without function manual mode. A variation of the fourth generation Hyundai Elantra, equipped with a 1.6-liter engine paired with an automatic transmission costing from $19,990, enjoyed most in demand. For the basic “naked” modification with a 1.6-liter engine and manual transmission the price started at about $17,790.

In 2008 Hyundai Company released information about the launch serial production new diesel engines volume 2.0- and 2.2 liters. The latest 2.0-liter diesel engine with 184 hp. (392 Nm) joined the lineup of the fourth generation Hyundai Elantra, built in 2008. With new engine, only available with automatic transmission, on Hyundai Elantra price was 25 thousand dollars.

Characteristic of previous generations Elantra technical the characteristics of the fourth generation of the sedan have not undergone fundamental changes. In the fourth generation of the model, from the 2006 versions to the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, the same McPherson front suspension and double wishbone remained independent suspension behind. Springs and stabilizers have been reconfigured lateral stability, which have become tougher. Front and rear brake discs in the fourth Elantra have increased significantly compared to the previous version. At the rear, unlike many of its classmates, equipped with drum brake mechanisms, are installed on Hyundai Elantra IV disc brakes. All assemblies have anti-lock braking brake system. As an additional paid option and in top assembly available EBD system. The most expensive equipment the fourth generation Hyundai Elantra with a 2.0-liter engine was equipped with a stabilization system dynamic handling ESP.

The fourth-generation Hyundai Elantra took second place in the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) fuel efficiency rating of mid-size non-hybrid sedans in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the Hyundai Elantra sedan was in the top 10 best cars almost all world ratings and competitions. In 2009, the Hyundai Elantra won the title of "Best Built Compact Car" in a study by J.D. Power and Associates, beating out Toyota cars and Honda.

The European premiere took place in 2007 Hyundai versions Elantra as a 5-door hatchback. The Elantra hatchback version is sold under own name. A team from the European design center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, worked on the exterior of the hatchback.

The first generation of the Hyundai Elantra began to be produced back in 1990. Attribute this model to class C, which means that Elantra is a direct competitor to cars such as Ford Focus, Mazda and Mitsubishi Lancer. And this is only if we talk about the most popular competitors, but in general, a lot of cars of this class are produced. Such mass market can bring fame and money to the company if released successful model, or put an end to the ambitions of the manufacturers. Hyundai Company took a big risk, but she still managed to release a high-quality and competitive product - the IV generation Elantra.

An overview of the Korean automobile industry allows us to compare it with the Japanese one. The first pancake was not exactly lumpy, but the initial generation of Elantra looked very cheap and gray. Such a car could only attract a buyer with a low price and high quality.

And hereIV generation is already creating good competition for famous brands, and to compete new model could in all respects.

Interestingly, Hyundai Elantra sedan with its small dimensions and small-displacement engine, as for American realities, it was developed specifically for the USA. Many experts were skeptical about the model’s entry into such a serious market, but Elantra beat everyone there with its price. Behind new car V dealer centers they asked for a little more than 14 thousand dollars, which is very affordable for any American.

A review of the car's appearance showed that with the advent of the fourth generation, the car became more noble and restrained. The sizes have increased slightly wheelbase is now 2650 mm, instead of 2610 in the previous version. The main dimensions of the car are as follows:

• Height – 1490mm;
• Length – 4505 mm;
• Width – 1775 mm.

Interestingly, during the production of this generation, the company abandoned hatchbacks, and now only a sedan became available to buyers. The appearance of the car is surprising.

EarlierHyundaiconstantly criticized that almost everything in design is borrowed fromMitsubishi, but the way outIVgeneration of Elantra, the Koreans have shown that they are capable of making excellent cars themselves.

Narrow headlights and side embossing immediately attract attention. In general, the front part has become a little wider and larger. The dimensions of the radiator grille have also changed upward. A review of the rear shows that the designers also worked hard here. Headlights new form look beautiful and modern. The trunk lid was also slightly redesigned. The rear view mirrors fit perfectly into the concept of the car and provide a wide view.

Salon

As we have already said, in the fourth generation the manufacturer increased the dimensions of the Elantra body, which made it possible to increase and inner space cars. In the front part of the cabin at shoulder height the space has increased by 22 mm, and in the rear by as much as 40 mm. The design of the modern tubular frame made it possible to raise the front seats.

As is known, budget cars With all their appearance they show that they belong to an affordable price category. With the Elantra, everything is not quite the same; in the cabin there is not even a hint that the manufacturer wanted to save money on everything. The oval display on the panel is equipped with a blue backlight, and the screen, in addition to standard indicators, contains data on the operation of the heating and ventilation system.

The climate control buttons are large and convenient. On the right side of the console there is a special hook for a woman's handbag.

Backrests rear seats can be folded in a 3/2 ratio or even placed on the trunk side. But you won’t need this function often, because the volume of the trunk itself is enough; it now holds 450 liters, instead of the previous 415. But one drawback was still transferred from III generation, the manufacturers left a rather inconvenient lever for opening the trunk, which is located in the driver's door pocket. True, in the same driver's door there are control keys for windows, central locking, mirrors, etc., which is very convenient.

Equipment

If you decide to purchase the budget version of the IV generation, then in the kit you will receive:

• Two airbags;
• Car air conditioner;
• Electric control of door windows;
• Power steering;
• Audio system with 4 speakers.

Not bad at all, but interior review top-end configuration I was much more surprised, besides what the regular version has, it has:

• Six airbags;
• Electric power steering. At high speed the steering wheel becomes heavier and makes it more comfortable to drive the car;
• Additional adjustment of the steering wheel in height and reach;
• Active head restraints for the front seats.

Technical characteristics overview

Elantra was supplied to the CIS countries with two options gasoline engines. Both power units have a variable valve timing system, which is why it turned out so high power. Thus, a 1.6-liter engine produced up to 122 “horses,” which is even more than some 1.8-liter engines.

The most powerful option is a 2-liter engine with a power of 143 hp. The engines could be equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. .

But the automatic transmission is not the best best performance speakers. This was confirmed by a review of speed qualities, on mechanical box The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 11 seconds, and with an automatic transmission in 13.6 seconds.

In the IV generation there is a mark “220” on the speedometer scale, but in fact maximum speed is 199 km/h. More weak engine, 1.6 liters can accelerate the car to 183 km/h.

The carrying capacity of the Hyundai Elantra is 475 kg, and the height ground clearance– 160 mm. Such a high ground clearance is important advantage models. According to many experts, this generation is more rigid when driving than cars. IIIseries.

Advantages and disadvantages

First, we should review the advantages of the IV generation Elantra:

1. The car interior is quite comfortable. Both the driver and passengers can feel comfortable, there is enough space.
2. Soft, but moderate suspension.
3. When traveling outside the city, the car “drinks” quite a bit of gasoline.
4. All the necessary things fit in the trunk without any problems. If necessary, you can also recline the rear seats.
5. Exterior of the car. The car really looks beautiful, and its design is in no way inferior to its competitors.

Flaws:

1. I would like better sound insulation. When it rains, you can hear everything in the cabin, including even the impact of water on the wheel arches.
2. Frontal and side windows quite thin. This casts doubt on their strength, and this is probably what caused the poor sound insulation.
3. Many owners of the model complain that when driving around the city, about 10-12 liters of fuel are consumed for a hundred kilometers. Which is a lot for a car of this class.
4. The dashboard may squeak and make other sounds. Probably the whole point is the low quality of the plastic on this element.