As requested, I'm starting a thread to cover our new 2014 Elantra GT we bought to replace our 2004 Vibe. The Vibe was totaled when another car ran a stop sign and hit the front passenger side front quarter panel. Would have owned it 11 years this August. Only 78k miles on it.
Before:
After:
My wife wanted to go the mini-SUV/crossover route, but nothing really fit her criteria that would be in our price range (without getting something used). We test drove a Jetta TDI Sportwagen (she didn't like the way the diesel with DSG drove) and a Buick Encore (way too much $ for what you get).
The Elantra was the only other car we looked at. In it's favor was the low MSRP and excellent warranty.
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT
MSRP: $19750
Floor mats: $125
Cargo net: $50
Cargo tray: $95
First aid kit: $30
Total: $20860
Subtract $1500 rebate, $500 military cash, and $500 competitive car cash. After taxes and all the usual fees the new price as just over $19k. After $8000 insurance check, we only financed a little over $11000.
Day we brought it home:
After window tint:
Initial driving impressions: This is one quick little car. 173 hp 2.0l, 6sp auto. Drives very smooth and quiet (though engine is a little noisy on initial start up). We were driving the other day on a 55 mph road when my wife looks down and was like, crap, we're doing 70!
It is definitely smaller then the Vibe, but back seat space seems to be about equal. We did lose some cargo capacity (lower roof line doesn't help). Not that big of an issue since my Mazda5 is our vacation car and that's got more than enough cargo space for our needs.
It does have an ECO mode which we have yet to try out.
Anyway, I'll update this over time when I start getting MPG figures and what-not. It is rated at 27/33 I believe. This is the first year with the 2.0, last year they used a 1.8 (140-ish hp) which was rated at 38 or so on the hwy. They went to the bigger engine to compete more with the Mazda3 and Focus, etc. that had more powerful engines.