Attention to detail in Hyundai Elantra

I've never before come across a car with the instruction in the handbook: 'if locked in trunk, it can be opened from the inside by pulling the red lever'. The mind boggles! How does one get locked in the trunk anyway, except by kidnappers? But it is, I suppose, an example of the attention to detail which is the hallmark of the new Hyundai Elantra.

Introduced to the Irish market in December last, this very sleek newcomer marks a new era in the Elantra lineage (used to be the Lantra in this market) and is just another example of how Hyundai have progressed from being a kind of poor man's manufacturer to a marque that has gained serious respect for its design, style and build quality.

One of the very first things I noticed when driving the new Elantra was its pulling power from the off, thanks to the 1.6-litre DOHC engine which has been redesigned for smoother and quieter driving. It kind of takes you by surprise and then, well you become used to it the longer you have the car! I found it a joy to drive ... AFTER I got used to a clutch that I couldn't feel when it was biting!

The new Elantra is a lot wider inside than you might think from first impressions. In overall terms, it's larger than the Vectra, Escort, Civic, Golf and Focus. It is also a very sporty looking car with a liftback slope to the rear.

The front has a very solid look about it, with a mid-sized oval radiator grille, slim profile headlamps and separate high and low beam units. The black-against-body-colour waistline molding is quite stylish. Aerodynamically shaped side-view mirrors are aimed to reduce wind noise at high speeds. To the rear is a sporty looking spoiler, and the overall view from the back is well together and distinctively pleasing.

Inside, the front cabin is very spacious and is also quite luxurious, with a lot of quality and good craftsmanship evident. I found the seats quite comfy and they provided good lumbar support. They were covered in a nice material which was continued along the door panels - always a nice touch.

Nice touches too were the number of cubby spaces provided. These included a good-sized lockable glove compartment, a spectacle case on the front overhead console, cubbies along doors and big front and back arm rests. The front one came with two storage areas underneath, a boon for all those odds and ends, while the back one had a substantial handy storage area also.

Another useful feature is a front door edge red warning light which comes on when the front door is opened. It provides greater visibility when parked near a kerb at night, so you don't trip yourself up when getting out. The red light also serves as a warning to passing vehicles that the door is open.

The instrument cluster is clear and the information easy to absorb. It's quite good looking with its merged circles style. In fact all controls were very straightforward and easy to use. These included the trip computer which displays information related to driving, fuel consumption and range.

Climate control, air conditioning and air quality system are optional on GLS models.

Standard safety features include ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution. There is also an engine immobiliser as well as central door locking, electric windows front and rear with window lock, electric tilt and slide glass sunroof, power steering and electric door mirrors.

Overall driving impressions were very good, and the handling in the kind of everyday driving I do was impeccable. Steering is reasonably light and direct, and I've mentioned the urge of the engine. In some markets, a 2-litre is available. A 1.4-litre would help in this market, I suppose, but is unlikely. Anyway, it's kind of an in-between size, larger than a Corolla and smaller than an Avensis if we use the Toyota range as markers.

Gripes? Hmm, that clutch feel DID take a little getting used to, but I did. And the controls of the radio supplied were downright fiddly. Also, the readout of the trip/fuel computer is a little on the small size. These are small things, but it is the small things that are the differences in cars these days.

And it IS nice to know that if one is 'carjacked' and thrown in the trunk, escape can be effected!