2012 Hyundai Elantra "Scarlett"- 2 Months in.

"Nymphicus Hollandicus" (nymhicus-hollandicus)
08/02/2016 at 08:51 • Filed to: Hyundai Elantra, scarlett, review

Hyundai nailed this design.

As I have wrote before, I recently got a new(ish) car as my parents bought out my mom’s 2012 Hyundai Elantra in Red Allure. Before that, I had a 2005 Honda Pilot which is a fantastic car but it was too thirsty for my tastes and I did not need a large SUV anymore. 2 months and about 2,500 miles in, I have gotten to know the car very well and learned to love it, even though it’s an automatic. She also earned the name “Scarlett” from the color and the fact that I like that name.

The good:

Seriously, Hyundai nailed this design. It still looks great even after we’ve had it for 4 years now. Everyone always complements me on how stylish it is, especially the color. The new version is a nice evolution on this design, unlike the Sonata.

Like the exterior, the interior is just as stylish. I like the instrument panel, especially the electroluminescent gauges and the blue lighting from the radio and buttons.

For a compact, it’s really big. Hell, the EPA calls this a mid-size for crying out loud! But that means that it’s roomy enough inside.

The trunk space is a good size, can’t wait to see how it fares with move-in day.

It has everything I need and nothing I don’t want. Thank god my mom didn’t get the tech package because I’m not a big fan of big screens in cars.

I’ve been on several hour long drives in this and as both a driver and a passenger it’s comfortable apart from bumps and rough roads. It’s also quite nimble and responsive, so side streets are a joy in this.

10 year/100,000 mile warranty - I still have half the powertrain warranty left, it’s nice to know I’ll be covered until then.

The meh:

The stereo in the non tech package Limited isn’t too good. One of the speakers in the back sounds distorted at high volume. I just set the balance to mostly play in the front so that problem is solved. I don’t blast my music.

Taller people are cramped in the back, but since I’m average height (5'9) and I fit fine, I don’t care... Not my problem.

The fuel economy is neither good or bad. I’ve been averaging 33mpg or so. This car was touted as a 40mpg car. Hey, it’s an improvement from 16mpg from the Pilot.

The leather seats are okay, the back support sucks however, and as always leather sucks during the summer. I never understood the appeal of leather.

I’m neutral on the wheels. The 2014-2016 Limited wheels are really nice, as are the five-spokes on the GLS.

The nitpicky:

The radio doesn’t have a tune knob... I’ll live.

Why does it make a tinny sounding meep when you lock it? I’ve heard it on multiple Hyundai/Kia products, it’s kinda pointless. One of my friends thinks it’s adorable however. On the other hand the horn is loud and obnoxious.

The steering wheel is made like junk, mine is already peeling off. I saw a Sonata of the same vintage and its steering wheel looked like it was chewed off.

I’m glad I got this car, it’ll be good for the next 5 years or maybe more depending on how reliable it is. I still want a manual car, though maybe I’ll get a second car within 5 years if I can afford it. The only thing I’ve had to do so far is get a CEL cleared through an update since the software was outdated (wtf?). Overall, it’s a great car. These things are probably good cars to buy used even though the warranty is shortened.

DISCUSSION (15)

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:02

where in NY are you?

TysMagic > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:15

“The fuel economy is neither good or bad. I’ve been averaging 33mpg or so. This car was touted as a 40mpg car”

I’m hung up here. 33 mpg is still good. But I do see your point. My car is touted as 34 mpg top range and I’m a constant 24.5...but I drive like a buffoon everywhere I go.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
08/02/2016 at 09:38

Long Island

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:40

Thought so. Same here.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > TysMagic
08/02/2016 at 09:42

I’m mostly disappointed that I occasionally won’t get near the 28/38 (revised) epa ratings of the Elantra. Even with all highway runs I usually won’t go past 35 mpg which is somewhat upsetting, though I’m glad it’s decent on gas. Much better than Pilot I had before.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
08/02/2016 at 09:43

I'm trying to move off the island, I'm not a big fan of it, except for the Pine Barrens.

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:46

Yeah I’ve lived here most of my life so I’m trying to move out too. What town are you in? I’m in Huntington

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
08/02/2016 at 09:48

I've lived in Merrick my whole life, it's a great place to grow up but now it's just so dull.

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:50

any good places to eat around there or elsewhere you know in the island?

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
08/02/2016 at 09:56

Oh lots of them, I could give you a whole list of them.

TysMagic > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 09:59

I could benefit greatly from a 6th gear to drop the RPMs at highway speeds, that kills my highway mileage - proof in the automatic version of my car I got as a loaner, so much better at 70/80 mph.

random001 > TysMagic
08/02/2016 at 10:00

Mine is..I dunno. I get 21-22 average, mixed city and highway commute. Just highway, I can pull 28. it’s rated to 27, I think.

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/02/2016 at 10:02

pls do

I know a bunch of good places in Syosset/Hicksville area...

Tons of good Indian and Afghani places in Hicksville... Masala Wok, Chopan Grill, Medina Kabob, etc... Golden Temple next to DSW in Syosset on Jericho Turnpike is good Chinese food...

Walt Whitman Mall has some decent places to eat, like Cheesecake Factory and a few new things like Zinburger. There’s a Bearburger that just opened up in Plainview and a Shakeshack in Garden City.

For pizza, my go to is Franks in Woodbury.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Nibby
08/03/2016 at 07:13

Sorry for the late response.

Hm, I’m quite interested in going to a Afghani restaurant, Hicksville is where Scarlett was purchased so if I do have to go to there I’ll check it out if I ever get the chance before I leave for school in 4 weeks.

Also, Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh all have really good sushi places, there’s this one place called Thom Thom that has specials that make it worth it to go. Also Left Coast Kitchen in Merrick has great burgers and they give you buttered popcorn instead of bread which is highly addicting. Right near that is Xaga which has fantastic special rolls and bento boxes. And since you mentioned Pizza, Tomato and Basil has really good Buffalo Chicken Pizza, plus the price for one isn’t too bad compared to the overpriced (and imo not as good) LaPiazza which has all the annoying people inside.

Long Beach, (just be aware, there’s a mumps outbreak there atm) has great places to sit outside as well as the Nautical Mile in Freeport.

Shake Shack is great, I’ve been to the one in Garden City a couple of years ago but there’s a new contender in town, Burgerfi in Oceanside and Uniondale. I went there with a friend a week ago and it was amazing, if you want to try a twist on the burger get the “Green option” which replaces the bun with two leafs of lettuce!

Nibby > Nymphicus Hollandicus
08/03/2016 at 09:30

Thanks for the Southern LI suggestions! Yeah, Burger Fi is pretty good... there’s one in Syosset that we go to sometimes. Everyone at my work (I work in Plainview) always raves about LaPiazza.

Long Beach is a ways from me but good to know nevertheless. Thanks again mate!