Competition is about to really heat up for the Elantra

[Em-squared]

Originally Posted by hoosieraccent

LOL! They really pushed the envelope there. Same side profile as the current model, with a Camry butt and an even uglier nose than what they already had. Did they at least add a couple more forward gears, or is Toyota still dipping into their massive stockpile of 1990's vintage four speeds? Sadly, the irrelevant snoozemobile it may be, it will still sell in very large numbers.

In other news, I registered to win a Dart. Will let you all know what I think of it in the unlikely event I actually win the thing.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Also, thanks for the laugh. I'm just picturing Toyota pulling old transmissions from a scrap yard somewhere.

Hope you win!

[Vadim08]

Originally Posted by JaySi09

here's something the Elantra should be afraid of. upcoming 2013 Kia Cerato (aka Kia Forte)


the alleged 2014 Toyota Corolla

I like the double exhausts on the back end, that's as much as I'll say. Something I would have liked the Elantra sedan to have.

[dmlexpert]

Originally Posted by hoosieraccent

In other news, I registered to win a Dart. Will let you all know what I think of it in the unlikely event I actually win the thing.

If you do win the Dart and it has the 2.0L engine and 6 speed automatic, it should feel familar to you as a Hyundai owner. The engine (a Chrysler-retouched version of the Theta-II from the Sonata/Tucson) and transaxle are both based on Hyundai engineering.

[Cudz]

I saw an advert on tv for the 2014 Forte. Looked nice. Corolla is still ugly. Good car just really ugly.

[markjenn]

Just to provide a little balance, I think the Corolla's front end looks great. A little SLK55 MB influence. And finally Toyota doing something a little out of the box and daring. I say, "good for them".



- Mark

[hoosieraccent]

Originally Posted by dmlexpert

If you do win the Dart and it has the 2.0L engine and 6 speed automatic, it should feel familar to you as a Hyundai owner. The engine (a Chrysler-retouched version of the Theta-II from the Sonata/Tucson) and transaxle are both based on Hyundai engineering.

Despite the criticism of the "2.slow," the Hyundai connection does give me the most confidence and that's what I would definitely pick. The Fiat turbo is faster, once you get it wound up and keep it that way, but that sounds like too much work for me. Plus premium fuel, significantly increased maintenance costs and higher up front costs to get the turbo. Meh, I'd take the hit on performance and fuel economy.








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[Xion]

The Corolla and Civic are good reliable cars no doubts but they only changed the front and the rear, the side windows and doors are still the same. The double exhaust must be only on higher trims. Their reasoning must be why change an engine and tranny that don't brake? they save a lot of money by keeping the same engine and tranny for years. They're smart.

[stanjo]

Originally Posted by hoosieraccent

LOL! Did they at least add a couple more forward gears, or is Toyota still dipping into their massive stockpile of 1990's vintage four speeds?

Actually, there is nothing wrong with 4 spd tranny if you can achieve the same fuel economy for horsepower. The Corolla EPA and real-life mpg is in the same range as other "more advanced" compact cars, with less shifting. Less shifting is a good thing - gears are a necessary evil to compensate for lack of "elasticity" in the engine, and more of them does not mean better, otherwise a 10-speed Semi would be the most advanced vehicle around.

[bryantest]

Originally Posted by hoosieraccent

Despite the criticism of the "2.slow," the Hyundai connection does give me the most confidence and that's what I would definitely pick. The Fiat turbo is faster, once you get it wound up and keep it that way, but that sounds like too much work for me. Plus premium fuel, significantly increased maintenance costs and higher up front costs to get the turbo. Meh, I'd take the hit on performance and fuel economy.








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Actually that same engine was pegged by the critics as one of the main reasons why the Dart is NOT selling well since its debut.

[ravenspilot]

Concur on the general dislike of the new Corolla. Somehow Toyota managed to give the '14 Corolla the widemouth-bass grille of the late model Mitsubishi Lancers, while the narrow headlights and upper-grille treatment make the poor thing look angry and constipated. Not something I'd care to drive, even were I a Toyota fan.

I've also had a chance to check out a couple of Darts up close and personal, and found myself disappointed in them compared to the Elantra. As mentioned earlier, that bulbous shift knob sticks out like a sore thumb in what is otherwise a decent interior, and Dart, like the Focus, is significantly more expensive than the Elantra when comparably equipped.

Also, the usual fit-and-finish, initial build quality bug still seems to be present at Chrysler. Found myself behind a brand-new, gunmetal-grey Dart the other night on I-70. Still had the build sheet in the window. I really dig the Dart's wrap-around LED taillights, like those of the new Chargers, but on the left side of the trunk lid the upper line of LEDs was slightly lower than those on the adjacent brakelight. As if the trunk lid came from the factory slightly misalinged. From what little I've heard, though, Dart seems to be more mechanically reliable than the new Focus has been, so I guess that's something...