Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Veloster, other new cars

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Beeblebrox237

Beeblebrox237

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Well, it appears that we may be buying a new car pretty soon, as my father has a new job which requires a long highway commute. He is considering bot the Hyundai Elantra and the Honda CR-Z. We have few requirements, other than that it must get very good highway mileage (above 37 or 38 mpg), and must no cost more than, say, $22,000. We've also had a quick look at the Hyundai Veloster. I would appreciate any advice you can give me, and would be especially appreciative of feedback from people who own or have owned these cars.
 
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I'd say go for the Elantra because you can get it as a sedan, get a competitive warranty, and probably cheaper to insure as well.

The CR-Z is a nice car, but I think the Elantra is a better buy.
 
I love how the Veloster looks, plus with the GDI engine and the manual it should be up there in the MPG department, An the Ford Fiesta and the Focus is another candidate in your price range that both look decent and get good MPG, and also the Kia Optima but I think this one is a little more than 22k.
 
I'd take a look at the Focus as well, along with the Chevrolet Cruze Eco.
 
In all honesty, after looking at the Focus and Elantra, the Elantra seems much better. The Focus only gets really good mileage if you order the SFE package and the sedan and the DCT. The Elantra gets really good mileage, no conditions. It also seems like a roomier car. My father doesn't really want a midsize sedan, so the Kia Optima is out (nice car, though). I will try to get him to take a look at the Cruze eco.
 
I get 38-40mpg on the highway with my Focus Titanium hatchback and can squeeze more out of it if I'm actively trying to get good mileage. I average about 33-34mpg in the suburbs. Ford really underestimated the Focus when they did the EPA ratings because in no way do I drive light footed. I also have no space issues in in, I bought my whole bedroom outfit from Ikea with it and had no problem loading the boxes into my car. It also works great for camping, when it rains really hard I can easily sleep in the back with the seats folded down. If you are looking at a manual though, the Focus for some reason only comes with a 5-speed, why it doesn't have a 6-speed puzzles me. The DCT has been fixed though and it no longer feels awful. Oh and the biggest complaint about the Focus I have is that the headlights have the worst output I have ever seen.

I've only ever driven the new Hyundai Elantra as a rental car and I did not really care for it much. It was pretty under powered though, it needed about 20 more horsepower to make it better. When I was on the highway with it the RPM's seemed high with a little more power and gearing it would be much, much better. The interior wasn't bad though and I though it looked pretty decent on the outside.

The Hyundai Veloster is woefully under powered, despite looking pretty cool. It's kind of a big disappointment. I think a turbo one is due out soon though.

The CR-Z only has two seats, so that's probably an issue. Also hybrids tend not to get the best mileage on the highway.

The Cruze was horrid when I drove it after I test drove the Focus. It felt cheap, tinny and just poorly made. It felt like I was in a Cobalt with a better interior, almost like it was trying too hard to be something it wasn't. It drove decently well though, I just couldn't live with it everyday.
 
How reliable has the Focus been? It's nice to hear real life experience and not manufacturer's claims. Also, two seaters are very much in the running, though admittedly they are not as practical.
 
The transmission was acting up after I first got it, the dealer fought me on getting it reprogrammed until I actually brought in a copy of the tech service bulletin. They still didn't program the transmission right so it acted like it was broken. After going to a new dealer and having them install the correct program I haven't had any issues (knock on wood).

The MyFordTouch is pretty buggy, but after the last update it got rid of the random freezing up. All new MyFordTouch's are completely redesign and actually work the way they should have from the beginning. Ford knows they screwed up though and they are sending USB drives to owners of vehicles equipped with the older system to update it and eliminate any other problems.

Other than that, the Focus has been the most reliable vehicle I've owned thus far. It has almost 18,000 miles on it and there hasn't been any other issues beside the dealer not doing something correctly. With both the Cooper and the Blazer I had had them into the shop several times to fix major things before they even hit 15,000.

If you get a Titanium the handling is excellent, even with the unimpressive tires it has. If you bump it up to the handling package it makes the car really corner well. I'm not sure on the lower models because the suspension codes differ and it's hard to figure out which model has what on it. It's pretty smooth too and makes a good road trip car. I drove it for 1000 miles up to northern Michigan and back and my spine wasn't shattered.

For the 2013 model year all of the model ranges can be had with a manual, for the 2012 run a manual was only offered on the SE spec. They are only 5-speeds as I've pointed out, which really makes me wonder why Ford is still using dated technology. If they would have offered a 6-speed on the Titanium I would have strongly considered it.

I'd have your pops at least drive one to see how he likes it. I'd recommend the hatch over the sedan though since it is way more practical for everyday tasks.
 
Beeblebrox237 -> I'd wait for the Elantra GT, it may be a more tauter ride comapred to the sedan. And it had the veratility of a cool hatch.

2013-hyundai-elantra-gt-4.jpg
 
I'd say CR-Z out of the two, only cause of my bias against hyundai. I hope your dad expands his choices to the Focus, Jetta.
 
^ Or even a Golf TDI 5-door, I like those too!

2011_Volkswagen_Golf-TDI-4-Door_5-Door-Hatchback.jpg
 
Elantra
 
^ You could've edit your last post. ;)

BT -> So far my picks would be:

- Golf TDI 5-Dr.
- Elantra GT
- Veloster GDI 6M/T
- Focus Titanium 6M/T

:)
 
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The VWs are too expensive for us. The Elantra GT might be okay. Also, there is a possibility of buying a Veloster Turbo, if it isn't too pricey. Finally, the Scion FR-S may be an option if the fuel economy is good enough.
 
^ I heard FR-S/BRZ is 22/28 (premium fuel) according to the EPA, and the FR-S will be a bit over the budget. The VeloTurbo will start at USD$22K. So far the EGT is a better bet; since according to history, the euro-tuned Elantra Touring drives better than its Sedan 'sibling'. And the EGT is a car designed for Europe.
 
I just checked the Subaru website, and they have 22/30 for the manual and 25/34 for the auto. Not good enough, so that's out.
 
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-> So lemme sum it out:

- Veloster Turbo
- Veloster GDI
- Focus Hatch Titanium
- Elantra Sedan
- Elantra GT
- CR-Z
- Focus Sedan SFE
- Cruze LT/Eco
- Optima EX
- Golf TDI
- Subieyota

;)
 
Yep, that's about right. Do you know anyone on GTPlanet who owns any of these cars, other that the Focus Titanium?
 
^ Well EGT and VeloTurbo aren't out yet. I know someone who just bought an Accent Hatch...I just forgot who it is... :indiff:

-> But my best friend is highly considering either the VeloGDI and the Soul '!'. ;)
 
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RE: Ford Focus, Transmission

I had a rental 2012 Focus SE and headed on down to Chicago for a day trip, and I have to say, I really don't care much for the Powershift Automatic. What it boils down to, at least for me, is that I could forgive the lurching and odd power delivery if the automated manual actually had the ability to give me full control of the gear-changes. Without being able to operate it on my own, the computer never really seems know what to do. Having to drive though several parking garages, several with steep inclines, I was more worried about the car not knowing what to do than actually getting to where I need to go.

The one upside to a lot of the other manufacturers is that their traditional automatics are just as efficient as Ford's Powershift box. Having been shopping in this market for a while to help a friend find a car, this is what I'd suggest:

* 2013 Mazda3 SkyActiv
Well, it is a Mazda, so it is probably the most fun to drive car in this segment, period. If you can get around the looks, it is a perfect car for anyone who wants some driving entertainment without having to make any sacrifices in the fuel economy department. What am I on about? With the automatic transmission, the SkyActiv manages 28 MPG City / 40 MPG Highway. Keep in mind that this is still a decidedly middle-sized compact, available with a hatchback or sedan body style... And still has a completely linear power curve, putting down 155 BHP. That'd be my choice, hands down.

* 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Clever packaging is what GM got right on the Eco. Updates for 2013 adds a little more content to a slightly de-contented car. A smaller fuel tank, tires off the Volt, high-geared transmission, and different construction pieces all game together to make a Cruze that is lighter, more fuel friendly, and from what I understand... May actually be more fun to drive. As fun to drive as the Mazda? Not likely. But, better than the average Cruze, which is already held in pretty high regard in the first place. The good news is that you can probably pick up a 2012 model with a deal or so on top. Or, that's the case up here in Michigan, anyway. Might be worth a look if you time it right as the 2013 models show up.

* 2013 Toyota Prius C
Okay, some sacrifices are needed to be made. It is smaller (but not too small), its a hybrid (but not all that bad), and dare I say it is actually somewhat attractive? Inside and out, you won't find anything too out of the ordinary for a Prius. I believe the only major substantive change I noticed when looking at them at the Chicago Auto Show was the placement of the gear selector on the center console, just like a "regular" car. Nice. Other than that, you're looking at an average MPG of 49.5, a ridiculously high number for any car. Granted, the car is lumbering around with about 100 BHP, depending on how you measure it, and with the crazy number of pre-orders, you might be hard-pressed to find one without some kind of markup. Be aware.

* 2013 Dodge Dart 1.4 MultiAir Rallye
I'd consider this the "wildcard" of the bunch. We really don't know much about the Dart other than that it launches on April 2nd, and that no official prices have been announced. Nor fuel economy. It seems incredibly likely that the Dart will be able to achieve right around 40 MPG on the highway, but with which engine that will be easiest (there is a 2.0L N/A, 1.4T and 2.4L NA) is unknown. But... You're getting a Dodge based on an Alfa Romeo chassis, presumably carrying over some Alfa Romeo flair (the Rallye and R/T especially), with a good chunk of fuel-saving technology from Fiat. There are a lot of variables in play, but after seeing them in Chicago... I have to say that I'm very, very, VERY interested in this sedan.
 
Well, I would consider the Mazda, though I'm not sure about the Dart or Cruze. The Cruze gets expensive quickly and isn't as good as the Elantra or Mazda3. The Dart, well, I've never been impressed with Dodge's reliability or the quality of their materials, though that seems to have changed some. Alfas are fun cars, but again, they're not known for reliability. The Prius C is a possibility, though we'll have to wait and see when it comes out as to whether it really is a viable option.
 
Re: The Prius C, it's actually supposed to be a nice little car to drive, more nimble than the larger Prius. But Brad mentioned markup, and he's not wrong. The site I write for recently published a pic of a dealer marking up the C by $7k. That's on the hugely ridiculous side of some of the dealer markups but it suggests that right now may not be the time to get a C, and certainly not to get any sort of discount.
 
Beeblebrox237
The Dart, well, I've never been impressed with Dodge's reliability or the quality of their materials, though that seems to have changed some. Alfas are fun cars, but again, they're not known for reliability.
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The Dart will be a great car after it's first model year, Chrysler is learning a lot of lesson with it with it right now. The Focus suffered the same problem, they corrected something like 150 issues for the new '13 model year. But I wager that's that same with every first year model.
 
If you can actually get a CR-Z off the lot for under 22,000 I want to shake your hand.
 
disinfected
If you can actually get a CR-Z off the lot for under 22,000 I want to shake your hand.
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Agreed. Don't quote me on this but I believe $22 000 is below cost on CRZs in Canada anyway. If your looking up the price on the net remember those rarely include shipping and PDI charges which the dealership will not wave. Add on taxes, detail fee, and dealership fees and your not getting anywhere near $22 000. A Fit on the other hand is doable.... Not a CRZ. If I'm legally allowed to look and post it here I'll let you know the cost of our CRZ but I really don't think Honda marks up cars much, they actually make very little off new cars. It's the used and service that makes the money.
 
Beeblebrox237
Yep, that's about right. Do you know anyone on GTPlanet who owns any of these cars, other that the Focus Titanium?
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I own a Fiesta. The 6 speed Powershift gets 40mpg+ even when you beat the living 🤬 out of it in the summer. I've been able to get 43mpg consistently outside of winter normal driving (only 20% in the city). The heaters make it dip to 37-38mpg. The manual isn't better mpg-wise, so only buy if you really want one. The PS transmission is somewhat jerky in bumper to bumper city driving(if you want to know why, ask). The maintenance is very light and non-intrusive. You can buy a fully loaded one for less than 20k. The insurance is so cheap (same price as my '08 Hyundai Accent, no joke). The '12 is better than the '11(what I have), and you can buy a modest one for 15k. (Sedan, SE 200 trim, Powershift) They have the hatchback too. Oh, the boot is huge for a subcompact. If there's anything else you want to know, just ask. I love it.
 
Beeblebrox237
I just checked the Subaru website, and they have 22/30 for the manual and 25/34 for the auto. Not good enough, so that's out.
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WHAT?! This is for the BRZ? WTF did they do to it?
 
Jubby
I own a Fiesta....
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We already own a Honda Fit (nice car, but a bit small), so we're looking to get something a bit bigger or a bit sportier. The Fiesta is too small for us, I think we'd be happier with another fit. Now...

NEW UPDATE: My father went to the Ford and Hyundai dealerships, and test drove the Veloster and Focus. I was too sick to go, but here are the impressions he got from each.

Focus: Well, my father said that the Focus has really limited rear legroom and felt small on the inside, but was fun to drive. To me, the Elantra was as big as an accord on the inside, and I confirmed this by sitting in an Accord. Still, the Focus' rear seat is probably too small for us to consider it as a viable option, though I will be going personally to check it out. Interestingly, there were many, many Focuses on the lot, whereas the first Hyundai dealership he went to had no Elantras and the second had only three.

Veloster: Well, despite all that I've read about the Veloster being a boring car, my father was quite taken with it. He liked the handling a lot, and didn't seem to think it was underpowered. He drove the DCT and would like to try the manual, but the dealerships are selling them before they arrive. He didn't check the back seat for room or lack thereof, so when I go I will check. At the moment the Veloster seems like the most likely choice, as it is a combination of almost everything we want.
 
I can vouch for 2012 Hyundais, as I'm driving the new Accent. Would have loved to have the Veloster instead, but once again, with all the fees and all that good stuff, I just don't see it happening for the initial price range you mentioned in the first post.
 
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