2008 Hyundai Elantra X20 2.0 from Malaysia

Summary:

Very comfy, good styling, easy to drive and reliable

Faults:

Outside temperature gauge.

General Comments:

Well, I was about to buy a brand new Kia Forte for RM 85,000 (approx.), but then I happened to test drive a 2008 Hyundai Elantra X20, and I changed my mind.

The X20 runs like a continental/heavy car as compared to the Forte, and it has a much smoother drive due to its 2.0 engine.

Nice interior, and a decent yet trendy exterior.

Don't get me wrong, the Forte is a very good car, but the drive and bells and whistles are targeted more towards the younger crowd. I'm in my mid 30s, and preferred Hyundai's styling and drive, plus I got to save almost RM 30,000 :)

Yup, I paid RM 56,000 for my beautiful Elantra, and have been driving it very happily for past few months, with an average fuel consumption of 9-10km/litre in the city.

ZR.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2012

5th Feb 2014, 05:18

Original Poster again:

It has been almost 2 years since I bought this vehicle. As a reminder for those who did not read my original review, this vehicle was purchased as a Pre-Owned.

The car has given absolutely no problems whatsoever. I have been maintaining it properly as well.

Things which were replaced:

Besides, normal oil changes, the brake pads were changed (all 4) and the battery.

The only bad part of the car is its fuel consumption. I drive it in city almost 100% of the time and I get between 7-8Km/L.

The car runs smooth, no rattles, no strange pulls, engine missing or transmission jerks. It feels like a kind of a premium car. Interior has the right amount of leather with some plastic pieces on appropriate places. Very comfortable ride and handles quite well for this size of a car.

If you are considering to buy a Pre-owned vehicles with limited budget, please keep this car in your list. It will appeal to people who are in their 30/40s, maybe as a second car or even for a main car, it is quite nice. Much better drive and comfort than a Honda City, Kia Forte, Toyota Vios or Corolla for a fraction of the price.

ZR

In reply to 5th Feb 2014, 05:18

24th Sep 2018, 02:41

Hi,

What type of ATF oil do you use for the car? I bought pre-owned last year at 75km mileage. The workshop used Hyundai Xteer SP III last time. Now at 108km I'm looking to change the oil again. Is there any better choice or am I using the right one?

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS 1.9 from North America

Summary:

Not a bad car, not great mind you, but an absolute horrible company to expect service from

Faults:

This car has leaked water heavily into the trunk and rear floor area since new (6-2008). It's been to the dealership 5 times, where they proceeded to scratch the car, break certain clips and plastic pieces, get undercoating (note, this is not a professional way to get rid of a leak.. most know this) and grease on the seats, and never fix the problem.

After being sent to a reputable body shop on the last visit, it was determined (by the body shop) that the seam sealer is falling out all over the bottom of this car. Now, Hyundai America closed my case and refuses to replace this now mold smelling, rusting in the trunk vehicle knowing that I will lose too much money in legal fees and mileage deductions if I try to lemon law this car.

The dealership is zero help, as their only out for me in this car is to finance another AT 5% MORE INTEREST than this one.

I will never again visit this dealership or purchase another Hyundai, as in 20 years of new cars I have never... EVER... seen such poor service, shoddy dealership practices, and poor customer satisfaction consideration by a car manufacturer.

Not a bad car, not great mind you, but an absolute horrible company to expect service from. Search the net, I'm not alone.

General Comments:

Good mileage and attributes as a basic car.

Horrific customer service when it's required.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th October, 2009

21st Dec 2011, 14:00

That is so strange. I had a 2003 Elantra from 5 years, and had to use my warranty twice.

Once because the pressure switch behind the clutch was sticking so the car wouldn't always start right away... The dealer took it, gave me a rental, and fixed it in 2 days, and I didn't pay a dime for any of it.

The second time was to have the driver's side door handle repainted because my thumb had rubbed it off... again, the dealership took the car, took the door handle off, had it painted, gave me another free rental (it was a nice one too.. Chevy Colorado, fully loaded) and had my car for 4 days, and once again, 100% covered in warranty.

That's it. I had that car for 5 years, put 95000 miles on it and it never gave me any problems. Dealing with Hyundai Corporate and the Hyundai dealers was an absolute joy. Hyundai Corp even had a rep call me after the clutch switch was repaired, to make sure it was repaired correctly, asked me I had any questions about what was done, asked me if I was happy with the service, and gave me a letter in the mail, giving me free full service oil changes for a year as an "I'm sorry" for the faulty clutch switch.

I will be buying another Hyundai in a few months, probably a used 08 Elantra. I love the new 2012 Elantra, but the new "fluidic" design Hyundai is using really cuts down on the head room, and has smaller, more narrow seats than before, and I'm 6'2", around 300 lbs, linebacker build, so it was beautiful, but not very comfortable for me. I'm not a fan of the new Sonata... it looks like its melting, and droopy. So I'm gonna go back a generation, and I'm sure I will be very happy with it.

Best of luck to you!!

In reply to 21st Dec 2011, 14:00

21st Jan 2014, 19:29

You should consider Kia; same company, different designer, but ultimately very similar feel, just a bit more sporty models...