Need a daily: Elantra or Sonata?

[Chapap]

TLDR: Hyundai experts: Is the 2022 Elantra just as good as the Sonata for the driver? Should I go budget or splurge?

I need a daily that is reliabler than my ranger. I never intended the ranger to be my only car, and the time has come to make good on that. I will be pocketing $490 per month as a vehicle allowance and I want to use it smartly.

I want an F150 of course, but have ruled that out in the current market (car and gas prices). My short list is Hyundai Sonata (same as Kia K5) and Elantra. I’ve ruled out the crossover type SUVs cause they have less leg room (I need ALL the leg room) than their sedan counterparts. I also CANNOT have a sunroof in a sedan. My head doesn’t fit inside the car with the reduced vertical clearance.

Elantra will be around 25 out the door and Sonata will be 5+ grand more. I also wouldn’t mind the hybrid Sonata. Not a hybrid Elantra- that has a DCT I don’t trust. Hyundai and Kia are highest on the list cause of the warranty. Nissan Altima may be on the list as well cause the local dealer has a lifetime powertrain warranty included that has a good rep in town.

I’ve given myself a $30k cap cause I don’t want to spend all my money on a really nice car now when I might get a truck later. The new rwd Mazda6 with a straight six is exciting too. May also entertain a Miata beater for a fun car

I’d like thoughts on my:
1: Budget vs luxury justification- should I splurge on the top trim Sonata (close to 40 out the door) now?
2: Make/ model choices

 

[Blmpkn]

The new rwd Mazda6 with a straight six is exciting too.

Havnt heard about that one.... but... go with that one.

 

[Chapap]

Havnt heard about that one.... but... go with that one.

I think it’s expected in 2024 or later. No official statement from Mazda yet, but it’s supposed to be definitely coming… not just a rumor.

 

[Roert42]

Look into Subaru as well. Wife has a forester that is quite comfortable and get awesome mileage. I think we paid $24k for it brand new.

 

[Ranger850]

I used to have a '17 Sonata. Not a bad car. Traded it for a '19 Santa Fe when the family grew out of it. The Kia K5, is actually a different car than the Sonata. Very similar, different platforms, but is considered the equivalent. As far as "luxury vs Budget" Hyundai gives a lot of tech in their base trims, so that shouldn't be too hard to get both. Just remember it's a Hyundai, and don't expect too much. Also don't skimp on the warranty stuff. Engine failure for these cars is real if you don't' know how to change the oil. All in All, I'm very pleased with the Hyundai Brand. I'm on my second one and will look at them whenever my kid needs a car.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Id buy a used taurus before i bought a korean turd

 

[Eddo Rogue]

a few people I know have both, either is quite bulletproof. My buddys Elantra is a manual 5 speed, its a fun little car.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Newer ones might be ok. I know a few people thats had older (like 2010ish) that were total garbage. Lol

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Newer ones might be ok. I know a few people thats had older (like 2010ish) that were total garbage. Lol

These are like early/mid y2ks Elantras lol. The Sonata's were post 2010's. Same w/ Tucsons. I know of a few of those.

Hyundai used to be total crap until they decided to up their game and make a decent car, with the warranty to back it. They still seem to have the best warranty in the business, and are decent cars, or at least much better than they used to be.

 

[Ranger850]

Both Mazda and Hyundai have gradually drifted towards the Luxury side of things. Kia still makes the "fun to drive" cars like the K5 and the Stinger. Hyundai does have the "N" and "N-Line" cars that are decent sports cars.

 

[Chapap]

Newer ones might be ok. I know a few people thats had older (like 2010ish) that were total garbage. Lol

I had a friend with a 2010ish Sorento. I was their “front line” mechanic. Did things like fill with oil when the engine started ticking cause it didn’t even show on the dip stick. Fill with coolant when the temp gauge quit working. She got rid of it around 200k. I’m amazed that thing ever ran.

Both Mazda and Hyundai have gradually drifted towards the Luxury side of things. Kia still makes the "fun to drive" cars like the K5 and the Stinger. Hyundai does have the "N" and "N-Line" cars that are decent sports cars.

Only sedan Mazda has now is Mazda3 (which doesn’t fit my shoulders). They ditched the Mazda6 and CX30 which disappointed me to no end when I found out. Those were only a few years old too. The new Mazda6 is supposed to start around $40k.

Edit: The 2022 CX-30 has plenty of web presence on the trim comparison sites and no articles about it being discontinued… but it’s not listed on the Mazda site as a 2022 option. So I’m not sure about that.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Both Mazda and Hyundai have gradually drifted towards the Luxury side of things. Kia still makes the "fun to drive" cars like the K5 and the Stinger. Hyundai does have the "N" and "N-Line" cars that are decent sports cars.

Kia has a wagon/suv lookin thing called "telluride"....ive seen a few around and i wont lie they look pretty sweet.

I wouldnt own one...but they do look good for a kia.

 

[Ranger850]

I spent almost $30K on my Santa Fe SE with Tow package. The Edge, with similar equipment was almost $45K. and I got a great warranty.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Kia has a wagon/suv lookin thing called "telluride"....ive seen a few around and i wont lie they look pretty sweet.

I wouldnt own one...but they do look good for a kia.

I wouldn't own one because the name looks and sounds like badly abbreviated text message. Tell u ride? I'll tell U where to ride, and up what.
Also its named after a snowboard/ski resort in CO.

 

[Ranger850]

Kia has a wagon/suv lookin thing called "telluride"....ive seen a few around and i wont lie they look pretty sweet.

I wouldnt own one...but they do look good for a kia.

Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are their "BIG" SUV's. starting in the $40's. Tucson or Santa Cruz might be a viable option to the Sonata or Elantra, because I think OP said he's in the $30K range.

$30K will go farther at a Kia/Hyundai dealership than almost any other place. They cram a lot of stuff in their cars for low price points.