Elantra crdi review(5000kms)

[convivial]

Recently bought an Elantra CRDi, has done 5000K in a month.

Exceptional for these reasons:

1. Great torque - got to drive on a freeway to know this car's potential...I can easily "average" 100-120 on not-so-bad roads when on a long trip.
2. Economy not bad (I attained speeds of over 160Kmph - madurai rameswaram and still managed to get 12+ and expectedly I could climb up the Kodai hills with the AC on all the time and without having to shift to the 2nd gear)
3. Handling is very good (I had a Lancer before and know how well it handles)
4. Brakes are good enough and I tested the ABS well enough during a trip down to Mangalore from Dharmastala.
5. Great Value for Money
6. I have a black Elantra and have changed to Horizontal grill with body coloured grill bars - looks awesome) - not worried about looks ever since
7. Interiors may not be as good as a Skoda in terms of the quality of plastics, but every element is where it ought to be and very neatly packed and placed. Something you can easily compromise for lot of other goodies.
8. Suspension and Tubeless tyres - ride quality is very good. I was extremely impressed while driving through Mangalore last month where I couldnt find any roads; there were only potholes.
9. Finish of the 2 Din is so good that I cant replace it with the VCD player and the LCD I used to have on the Lancer - have kept it for sale now. Very good player - good sound quality even at very low volume.

Some areas where it doesnt make your smile broad

1. Engine noisy during idling
2. Front looks - for some
3. Not that great urban commuter - a Petes might help - fixing it today.
4. CD player not compatible with mp3 formats - but the

Let me give another post after I do 10K.

Thanks
Jay

Note from mod : Post moved to new thread

[srikantans04]

Hey!
Thanks for the review.
Have been thinking about the Elantra Crdi for sometime now.
One question - were you using regular diesel or Extramile?

[tsk1979]

Good to see yoiu are enjoying the car.
About the CD player, does hyundai give the option of mp3 player at extra cost? If you go for you own ICE, will it results in warranty issues(This may be the case because the system is so well entrenched in the electrical system of the car).
How much discount did you actually get? What was the ex-showroom and final on road price.
If verna is priced silly, I may go for the elantra, so its a good idea to know how much can you haggle with the dealers.

[tadukuttan]

Originally Posted by convivial

9. Finish of the 2 Din is so good that I cant replace it with the VCD player and the LCD I used to have on the Lancer - have kept it for sale now. Very good player - good sound quality even at very low volume.

As you noted later, the only problem is it does not play mp3. And that is a killer of a problem these days. And when I wanted to replace it, finding a replacement which would enhance the looks of the dash board was priority. Finally settled on a 2-din Kenwood 7037, picture below -

Originally Posted by convivial

Some areas where it doesnt make your smile broad
1. Engine noisy during idling
3. Not that great urban commuter - a Petes might help - fixing it today.

At least for me, the petes helped in both these cases. It gave more torque low down the rpm range. And also, the engine sounds a lot more sweeter all through the rpm range. And I also added a stock replacement K&N. Helps a bit too, when paired with the petes box.

Also, the only time the engine sounds bad for me is when it is fed adulterated diesel. There would be a perceptible drop in power also when this happens, and these two factors could give you an indication of diesel quality.

[GTO]

Nice detailed report, Thanks for sharing!

@ tadukuttan - From what I have heard, an Elantra CRDi with the Petes box is a stonker. Have you also upgraded your tyres?

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by GTO

Have you also upgraded your tyres?

His sidewalls give out tremendous grip!

[jkdas]

nice review convivial. The Crdi comes with tubeless and alloys as std? And frm where would you be getting teh Pete's?

[tadukuttan]

Originally Posted by ajmat

His sidewalls give out tremendous grip!

Grrrr... Only when trying to "drift" the car you know where!

@GTO - Using 205/60 R15 Michelin (Vivacy Pattern) Rubber. That is simply lovely for long highway rides, which I do pretty frequently. Helps eat up more of the bad roads, and offers excellent grip as well. Also, probably would have lasted for the better part of 40K Kms as well. Got it after a friend insisted that is what works best for the highway on his multiple Mercs...

But, thinking of upgrading to 16/17 wheels. Have not had time yet to look at options, but will be doing that pretty soon. And reason for upgrading size? As ajmat said, the sidewalls of the Michelins have suffered some damage, and considering I might do what I did again, lower profile rubber is what I need. Pic below-

[artofzen]

Originally Posted by jkdas

The Crdi comes with tubeless and alloys as std?

All elantra's com with alloys and tubeless tyres as standard if i am not mistaken.And upgrading the wheels of an elantra really improves its looks.There is one in cochin with black alloys!!!.

@Convival-Nice review.Can you tell us about the rear seat comfort?

@tadukuttan-Is that snap of your car's ICE?.If yes,It looks really neat!!!

[kpzen]

Originally Posted by artofzen

All elantra's com with alloys and tubeless tyres as standard if i am not mistaken.And upgrading the wheels of an elantra really improves its looks.There is one in cochin with black alloys!!!.

No, Recently Hyudai launched an Elantra without alloys only wheel caps...
I think its GT n GTD model...


Anyways nice review...

KP

[Ajay_J]

Nice review... What is max speed did you touch ? Is it under run in still ?

[GTO]

@ tadukuttan : Is yours the same CRDi that I hear ripped everyone on a recent Team-BHP Drive? If so...nice car and well driven. I heard a lot of positive stuff on your Elantra.

[satish_appasani]

Nice review Jay.

50% of the chances are my next upgrade is an Elantra. One car where both heart and head almost come to the same decision.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by Ajay_J

Nice review... What is max speed did you touch ? Is it under run in still ?

if its "that car" frm TBHP meet, it touched 170

edit his avatar shows it touched 180

[tadukuttan]

Originally Posted by artofzen

@tadukuttan-Is that snap of your car's ICE?.If yes,It looks really neat!!!

Yes it is mine. And it took a long time to find something which looks good there. Of course, it sounds decent too...

Originally Posted by GTO

...nice car and well driven. I heard a lot of positive stuff on your Elantra.

Yes, that is me as well. Had a ton of fun with the other guys on the forum, during the recent drives.

More details and pictures of the car coming out in an "upcoming" long term report on the Elantra. Long overdue, it is just that I have not managed to find time to finish it up...