Personal Picks: Pick of the litter
Our group of recently tested small cars is a varied one, to say the least. With everything from sensible sedans to sporty models and even a roadster, it offers something for everybody--and at least one car for nobody. But that's just my opinion, and I'll keep it to myself. Deputy Editor Jeff Bartlett asked me for a personal pick, and here it is:
The Hyundai Elantra.
Yup, that's my pick, a humble but competent, nondescript little sedan, easily misplaced at the mall parking lot. Sign me up even over more interesting stuff like the Mazdaspeed3 and Mini Cooper S my colleagues are all worked up about from the sporty car group.
Don't get me wrong. They're a smart bunch, (my colleagues, not the cars) and like me, they love cars. Both the 'speed3 and the Mini are a blast to drive, with quick acceleration, good handling, and responsive steering. But where those sportier models can be frantic and hyper like a Yorkshire terrier, the Elantra is just friendly and eager to please. Think of it as an automotive Cocker Spaniel.
The Mazda is less of a poorly trained pooch than the Mini, and manages to put its bodacious 263-hp to the pavement with minimal torque steer. But the ride can be punishing over time, especially over broken pavement or abrupt bumps on the highway. In its favor, the Mazda comes without the Mini's lane-changing torque steer and annoyingly cute if dysfunctional dashboard controls. Give me function over funk any day of the week. As my colleague Managing Editor Jon Linkov so aptly summed it up, "What's up with the Flavor-Flav speedometer?"
In the end, a Mazda3 Touring with a five speed manual would be my pick if that was an option, but Jeff doesn't like it when we pick cars not in the group - even though the Auto Test guys do it all the time. (I like it less when the guys pick the Nissan Murano for EVERYTHING. --Ed.) Still, with sufficient power to step out as desired, better fuel mileage than the 'speed3, less edginess to its suspension but still enough sportiness to make it fun in the twisties, the Touring strikes me as a good compromise. It even has room for a couple of Cocker Spaniels, though fitting my two Belgian Shepherds may be tough.
But it wasn't part of this group, so the Elantra it is. I'll just have to carry a picture in my wallet so I can find it. Or look for a dog in the back seat.
Posted by: Kenny Shey, Maryville,Tn. | Sep 29, 2007 5:13:41 PM
We have a 2003 Elantra GT. For its size and price, this car is simply a fantastic deal! It has most of the bells and whistles of cars costing double its price. Leather, ABS, CD,six airbags, power locks/windows/mirrors, very smooth ride, quieter and as powerful as most six cylinder cars! The cabin and trunk space is just amazing for a car this size. We average about 30 miles per gallon on regular gas. We test drove the Corolla and Civic, but they were about 30% higher in price with less "goodies". Construction quality is first rate too! Hyundai is made in America now, but most people think their cars are low quality due to their price. Nothing could be further from the truth! I appologize for sounding like a T.V. commercial, but we love our car and would buy another Yundai in a heartbeat!