Hyundai prices 35 mpg Elantra Blue from $14,145*
The 2010 Hyundai Elanta comes in a trim called "Blue" that's all about fuel economy. The little sedan from the Flying H matches or beats the economy numbers from almost all of the competition, losing by just two mpg to the Cobalt XFE manual – but beating them all in price by a couple hundred dollars.
To reach its 35 mpg figure, the Blue gets a smart alternator, lower friction engine parts, different gear ratios, an ECU tweak, and a shift indicator. The rest of the line gets some of the Blue's features, meaning that every new 2010 Elantra ought to save you some money at the pump. The Blue clocks in at $14,145 (*plus $720 for freight), and you can read all about it and the other models in the 2010 line after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue
[Source: Hyundai]
PRESS RELEASE
ELANTRA BLUE MODEL LEADS HYUNDAI'S MOVE TOWARD FUEL EFFICIENCY LEADERSHIP
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/17/2009
The award-winning Elantra enters 2010 an improved weapon against volatile gas prices with the all-new "Blue" model achieving a highway fuel economy rating of 35 miles per gallon.
Smart engineering enhancements to the rest of the 2010 Elantra lineup improve fuel efficiency by up to four percent. These new fuel economy numbers give Elantra an advantage in price-per-MPG ratio, making it an even stronger value for 2010.
|
|
Base MSRP w/o Freight |
Hwy. Fuel economy |
$/MPG |
|
2010 Elantra Blue |
$14,145 |
35 |
$404 |
|
2010 Corolla M/T |
$15,350 |
35 |
$438 |
|
2009 Civic M/T |
$15,505 |
34 |
$456 |
|
2010 Focus M/T |
$15,995 |
35 |
$457 |
|
2010 Cobalt XFE M/T |
$14,990 |
37 |
$405 |
To make the Elantra Blue, engineers added a "smart" alternator management system, lower friction engine components, revised transmission gear ratios, engine calibration changes and a shift indicator to last year's Elantra GLS manual. This new high mileage Elantra will be indentified with unique "Blue" badging. From the "Blue" edition, the rest of the Elantra line receives its lower friction engine components, "smart" alternator management system and an improved lock-up torque converter to maximize fuel economy at highway speeds.
| Model | Fuel Economy (mpg) | Percent Increase | |
|
City '09 '10 |
Highway '09 '10 |
||
| Blue | 24 26 | 33 35 | 8 percent in city, 6 percent on hwy. compared to '09 GLS M/T |
| GLS | 25 26 | 33 34 | 4 percent in city, 3 percent on hwy. |
| SE | 25 26 | 33 34 | 4 percent in city, 3 percent on hwy. |
2010 Elantra Manufacturers Suggested Retail Pricing
|
Model |
Engine |
Transmission | MSRP |
|
Blue |
2.0L |
Five-Speed M/T | $14,145 |
|
GLS |
2.0L |
Four-Speed A/T | $16,895 |
|
GLS |
2.0L PZEV |
Four-Speed A/T | $16,895 |
|
SE |
2.0L |
Four-Speed A/T | $17,845 |
|
SE |
2.0L PZEV |
Four-Speed A/T | $17,845 |
Note: All prices in this release do not contain a freight charge of $720
THREE TRIM LEVELS
The Elantra is now available in three distinctive trim levels with the addition of "Blue" to the lineup.
ELANTRA BLUE – THE PERFECT COMPACT CAR
The Elantra Blue edition delivers outstanding fuel economy without adding thousands of dollars to the price. In fact, Elantra Blue is the lowest priced Elantra in the lineup. The Elantra Blue also practices Hyundai's high-value approach to standard equipment. Elantra Blue has a remarkable array of desirable features for a model with an excellent price-per-MPG ratio. The Elantra delivers outstanding standard safety technologies in its segment, with six airbags, ABS, 4-wheel disc brakes, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), active front head restraints and adjustable head restraints for all seating positions. A partial list of other standard features includes: power heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows with driver's one-touch down, remote keyless entry with alarm and trunk release, variable intermittent windshield wipers, multiple storage areas, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, tachometer, tinted windows, two 12V outlets and tilt steering wheel. Air conditioning, 172-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters and in-glass antenna, iPod®/USB auxiliary inputs and cruise control are available options as part of the $1,700 Comfort Package.
ELANTRA GLS
The Elantra GLS takes all the equipment from the Elantra Blue equipped with the Comfort Package and adds a four-speed automatic transmission, dual front illuminated vanity mirrors with sunvisor extensions, fog lights and a windshield shade band. The only option is a $900 power sunroof.
ELANTRA SE – ADDING A SPORTY FLAVOR
The sport-oriented SE adds all the equipment in the GLS plus ESC with Traction Control and Brake Assist, 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R16 tires, sport-tuned steering and suspension, leather shift knob, telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls and trip computer. The $1,150 SE Premium Package adds a power sunroof and heated front seats.
WARRANTY
The all-new Hyundai Elantra lineup is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty™. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Elantra buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 780 dealerships nationwide.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aprime 8:04AM (9/21/2009)
I don't care if it's beat by two MPG, it doesn't have the words low rolling resistance anywhere near it, and has a superior interior.
Add low rolling resistance tires and gear the transmission more towards (or simply having more than 4 gears) fuel economy and I'm suuuuuuuuuuuure getting 38MPG would be easy.
Also I don't know if it's the case for your guys, but here the auto and manual get the same mileage estimates, so if the auto can do 35 it has the XFE beat.
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alex 8:16AM (9/21/2009)
really? i've never sat in one, but from the pictures the interior looks like craptastic plastic. i mean it's not corolla bad, but i don't really see anything that puts it above the cobalt's interior.
Henry 8:37AM (9/21/2009)
Wow! That’s a lot of smack talk for a dull vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, we need more functional, affordable, fuel efficient vehicles in the market, but don’t get so worked up about it.
Besides, who in their right mind would buy a vehicle that can only play “Eye of the Tiger”?
akboss302 9:12AM (9/21/2009)
That's surprising that there is such a small improvement over the GLS auto - the manual-transmission Blue gets better mileage by 4% city 3% highway, basically not noticeable my most drivers. I wonder if a GLS manual would slim that to just about even.
Craig 9:21AM (9/21/2009)
@ Alex - I thought it was a better quality interior than the Cobalt. As for the plastics, iIt's about the texture and sheen of the dash, and how it feels to the touch. Besides - are you expecting a leather lines interior in it?
Sal Collaziano 9:53AM (9/21/2009)
The interior IS better in the Elantra - but I'm sure the Cruze will level the playing field or one-up the current Elantra. Now nobody knows for sure what's coming next from Hyundai in regards to the NEW Elantra - but I don't think there's going to be much of an advantage for Hyundai for long...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.hyundaikiaforums.com
Bob-omb 9:58AM (9/21/2009)
"i've never sat in one, but from the pictures the interior looks like craptastic plastic."
Sit in one. It's easily one of the highest-quality interiors in the compact market. I am so sick of hearing people complain about plastic interiors of cars that aren't the Focus or the Caliber. The Elantra is like an Audi in comparison.
jv2k 11:10AM (9/21/2009)
I think the interior has a nicer shape to the cobalt but it seems just as plasticy. Certainly not good enough to want to avoid the cobalt.
Also can we cut the "well different grade of plastic" crap too because it all feels cheap. Even the heavily praised honda civic has tons of shameless plastic surface and the doors feel light.
What ever happened to vinyl in cars? Even cavaliers and sunfires used to have padded vinyl dashboards and now the even the best in class compact interiors make their cars with plastic. Yea build quality is up and all cars had crap interiors in the 90s but It can't be that expensive and it really adds to the look and feel of the car. Hell it doesn't even have to be padded they can just glue it onto the plastic and I'd be more content than I am with a textured plastic surface. I mean if 90s GM could put it in jbodies without build quality issues then it can't be too unreasonable to do.
Shiftright 11:23AM (9/21/2009)
Wow! Is that the new Infinity M?...
Judy Zik 11:48AM (9/21/2009)
Not a big fan of the Elantra's interior myself. One of the reasons is those trademark Korean plastics that give off that horrible smell. Quality of fit and assembly is good but hard plastics that easily scuff are common. Competitive in it's class but certainly no Audi.
What pisses me off about the Elantra most is that you have to take a slushbox to get anything more than the low rent model. Even the supposed sport trim doesn't allow you to select your own gears.
Aprime 11:53AM (9/21/2009)
JV2K: The Elantra's dash is soft to the touch, while the Cobalt's covered in hard plastic that cannot be pressed into. I'm sorry, but the Cavalier and Sunfire had hard plastic at the top and OVERLY soft (like what the f**k is that? kind of soft) on some... Panel corners. A proper vinyl-fitted car to *name* would be the Ford Escort of the time. "I mean if 90s GM could put it in jbodies without build quality issues" - okay, now you're bloody trolling.
jv2k 12:31PM (9/21/2009)
"The Elantra's dash is soft to the touch,"
I've never touched the inside of an elantra, but there is no way the plastic feels soft because by it's nature plastic is hard. It might feel more solid or higher grade but I can't see soft happening.
"while the Cobalt's covered in hard plastic that cannot be pressed into. I'm sorry, but the Cavalier and Sunfire had hard plastic at the top and OVERLY soft (like what the f**k is that? kind of soft) on some... Panel corners."
I found the plastic on those cars to feel the same all around. The problem with jbody interiors is the build quality and color scheme(as well as cabin room but that was a problem with the platform's age)
"A proper vinyl-fitted car to *name* would be the Ford Escort of the time. "
My point is was that even the infamous sunfires and cavaliers had vinyl dashboards. Why can't modern higher quality cars have it too?
" okay, now you're bloody trolling."
You ever drive a jbody? My first car was a sunfire. I feel that the criticism the car gets is both exaggerated and warranted. The plastic complaint isn't warranted, but it certainly was unrefined.
The plastic body panels had gaps that trapped water that would eventually drip and leave streaks after every wash(and waxing the damn thing was a pain in the ass when the wax got into these same gaps) and I had to glue some lose parts of my interior to make the car quieter.
AMcA 8:40PM (9/21/2009)
Losing by "just 2 mpg" to Cobalt XFE?
Two mpg is not a "just" matter. Two mpg is HUGE.
Chevrolet is way out front here, surprise, surprise! I'm delighted, frankly.
mbslrm 8:31AM (9/21/2009)
Why are there still 4-speed autos out there?
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Glock23 8:57AM (9/21/2009)
It's all about sales volumes and $$$.
Jim 8:59AM (9/21/2009)
I don't think Hyundai is really concerned about the newest technology being implemented. This is probably an older, proven tranny that has been used for years.
That being said. a 4-speed auto is likely lighter than a 5 or 6-speed case.
akboss302 9:13AM (9/21/2009)
...because they work just fine. And unlike when you need to replace your 7-speed DSG, this will not cause you to remortgage your house - which is appropriate for an econo-box.
mbslrm 8:48PM (9/21/2009)
Nissan has CVTs on almost all their cars now, and they're not shabby at all.
In fact, on the one car where you can get a 6-speed manual, a 4-speed slush box, and a CVT, the Versa, the CVT is fastest and most fuel efficient.
Mike 8:38AM (9/21/2009)
I rather the Kia Forte EX w/ the Fuel Economy package, and haggle them down on the pricing. Then, I would have a better looking vehicle, better fuel mileage, a 5 speed auto (for city driving), better features, etc...
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DCragtop 8:38AM (9/21/2009)
a 'smart alternator'?
Reply