Need a daily: Elantra or Sonata?

[Chapap]

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.

Yep Telluride is sweet but too pricey for now. My mom is eyeballing the Tucson. I’ll take a look too. Looks to be very close in price to the Sonata.

Edit: oh ya I forgot. I added the Nissan Rogue to the list as well.

 

[Ranger850]

4 Available trims
SESELN Line
Starting at
$24,350
Limited
Filter by features
Compare trims
N Line
Exterior Interior


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SilverRedBlackGrayWhiteBlueOrange
Orange Swatch button selected, Vehicle image updated with Selected Exterior SwatchExterior: Orange
Black
Interior: Black
Starting MSRP
$24,350⁠

28 MPG Combined, 25 City/34 Hwy⁠

201-hp 1.6L Turbo GDI 4-cylinder⁠
18-inch alloy wheels⁠

Well under $30K

 

[Chapap]

4 Available trims
SESELN Line
Starting at
$24,350
Limited
Filter by features
Compare trims
N Line
Exterior Interior


Drag to rotate vehicle
SilverRedBlackGrayWhiteBlueOrange
Orange Swatch button selected, Vehicle image updated with Selected Exterior SwatchExterior: Orange
Black
Interior: Black
Starting MSRP
$24,350⁠

28 MPG Combined, 25 City/34 Hwy⁠

201-hp 1.6L Turbo GDI 4-cylinder⁠
18-inch alloy wheels⁠

View attachment 72197


Well under $30K

I’d love that car… but the dual clutch is terrifying… even with Hyundai’s warranty. I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t mind CVTs… except for Nissan. Only reason they’re on the list is cause of the local dealer’s lifetime powertrain warranty.

 

[Ranger850]

When we were looking to trade in our Sonata, they didn't have the "N" yet. Good thing because we needed room and the Santa Fe fit the bill and budget, the Palisade has 3 row seating, but out of my budget for an eco daily kid hauler.

 

[Roert42]

I had a buddy with a early 2000's santa fe. That thing was the biggest pos that would not die. He eventually sent it off to the scrap yard because the electrical system was on the fritz and it would randomly turn the lights on and other stuff at night. Plus it was due for another timing belt, the one that was on there was slowly eating through the plastic timing belt cover.

Had 350K miles.

 

[Ranger850]

The Earlier Kia Sportage had a DOHC Mazda motor in it. I think Hyundai/Kia has ironed out MOST of the quality issues and are getting a handle on the motor issues. their new 2.5T is supposed to be the "fixed" engine. Now on to the Dual clutch transmissions. apparently the wet clutch set up gets just as hot as the dry and AWD will cut out to FWD only when the trans gets too hot.

 

[Chapap]

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.

I’m wary of boxer engines. The oiling problems may be solved now… but there’s a history there.

 

[19Walt93]

I’m wary of boxer engines. The oiling problems may be solved now… but there’s a history there.

I agree, the aging hippies in Vt seem to love them but I've never heard a Subaru run that didn't have a lower end knock.
I'd look at a used Fusion with any engine except a 1.5 or 1.6(because they use a timing belt, probably like Hyundai's do), If you don't mind a timing belt, their OK, too. A Focus if you can drive a stick because I detest the DPS6, or a used Escape, also with any engine but the 1.5 or 1.6. Our body shop had a near new Hyundai in that had run into the back of another car as it pulled out of a parking lot- at real low speed- because the front vehicle stopped suddenly. It bent the whole front suspension and subframe down and back- at barely more than walking speed. I don't care if they passed the crash standards, so did "Smart" cars and they did it with a bunch of airbags for a single impact hit that doesn't reflect the real world.

 

[Chapap]

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

Could I ask you to get their opinion between the two? I’m wanting to know if the Elantra feels like a more economy car or if they feel like essentially the same car (for the front seat). It seems like, from the B-pillar forward, they are about the same (with aesthetic differences). Is the Sonata just an Elantra with a bigger back seat and trunk, and a bit more power?

 

[Ranger850]

Could I ask you to get their opinion between the two? I’m wanting to know if the Elantra feels like a more economy car or if they feel like essentially the same car (for the front seat). It seems like, from the B-pillar forward, they are about the same (with aesthetic differences). Is the Sonata just an Elantra with a bigger back seat and trunk, and a bit more power?

The Elantra Vs Sonata is like a Focus vs Fusion. Different cars completely. The Elantra has a "VE" trim = Value Edition = bare bones trim with back up camera and Lane assist. As cheap as they are, you can afford to NOT get the "VE"

 

[Chapap]

The Elantra Vs Sonata is like a Focus vs Fusion. Different cars completely. The Elantra has a "VE" trim = Value Edition = bare bones trim with back up camera and Lane assist. As cheap as they are, you can afford to NOT get the "VE"

I haven’t gotten the chance to drive an Elantra yet, but I sat in one and it felt similar just sitting there (that car was already bought). All I’m going off right now is my list of doodads. The following cars are almost identical in doodads and features I care about. Prices are expected out the door prices.

Elantra SEL: $24.5k
Sonata SEL: $28.5k

 

[Ranger850]

I haven’t gotten the chance to drive an Elantra yet, but I sat in one and it felt similar just sitting there (that car was already bought). All I’m going off right now is my list of doodads. The following cars are almost identical in doodads and features I care about. Prices are expected out the door prices.

Elantra SEL: $24.5k
Sonata SEL: $28.5k

Seems about right. Sonata has moor room and not looked at as an "economy buy". The Elantra has the same "doo dads", less trunk space,

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Could I ask you to get their opinion between the two? I’m wanting to know if the Elantra feels like a more economy car or if they feel like essentially the same car (for the front seat). It seems like, from the B-pillar forward, they are about the same (with aesthetic differences). Is the Sonata just an Elantra with a bigger back seat and trunk, and a bit more power?

The Elantra owners love them, the Sonata owner no to so much.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I agree, the aging hippies in Vt seem to love them but I've never heard a Subaru run that didn't have a lower end knock.
I'd look at a used Fusion with any engine except a 1.5 or 1.6(because they use a timing belt, probably like Hyundai's do), If you don't mind a timing belt, their OK, too. A Focus if you can drive a stick because I detest the DPS6, or a used Escape, also with any engine but the 1.5 or 1.6. Our body shop had a near new Hyundai in that had run into the back of another car as it pulled out of a parking lot- at real low speed- because the front vehicle stopped suddenly. It bent the whole front suspension and subframe down and back- at barely more than walking speed. I don't care if they passed the crash standards, so did "Smart" cars and they did it with a bunch of airbags for a single impact hit that doesn't reflect the real world.

Thats why we need frames.

 

[Chapap]

What do yall think of hybrids? I reckon reliability is at least good enough. Hyundai has a 10yr/100k mi warranty on the battery so that’s good. I figure at $3.50/gal, it’ll pay for itself around 35k miles ($4,000 more for hybrid version). Can also look at it as a 40% discount on gas (27 vs 45 mpg city).