Spacious and powerful

I purchased a Hyundai Santro(DX)in1999 and exchanged it for an Elantra CRDi in 2004.Stuck to the Hyundai family basically because it was a very good alternative to Maruthi esteem and other models which I have been owning from 1990 onwards in terms of the after sales service/car built ,finish etc. While buying the Elantra I did look at Skoda Octavia as well but found Elantra to be a better choice in terms of price/familiarity with the Dealer and of course the space it offered in the rear as compared to the Octavia. Elantra was the right choice in that segment since it offered Value for money and also it gave a trouble free performance till I owned it. Pickup especially while driving on the highways and steep climbs were quite comfortable without any strain on the engine. Climate controlled Air-conditioning was quite effective in keeping the interiors of the car at a comfortable level in high temperature/humidity areas like T.Nadu and Kerala. Mileage was another positive factor which prompted me to go for the model. Ride quality was excellent and there was minimum fatigue factor after a long journey. The car had very good stability even at high speed . Interiors were also top class with leather seats, chrome handles, and wooden interiors which gave it a plush look. Audio system from Hyundai's own stable was very effective with speakers /Tweeters and Woofers aesthetically placed in the interiors of the car. Annual maintenance cost and cost and availability of spares were also a positive factor during the ownership of the car. In spite of being a diesel car, noise level once you are inside the car was at a very comfortable level. Overall I was very happy owning the car and decided to part with it only because after 7 long years boredom was setting in and unfortunately there was no other model in that segment which Hyundai could offer during that period since the fluidic series came only in the later part of 2012. and I could not wait till then and settled for a Skoda laura TDi(AT) . Having driven this car for 5 years, I am again in the market and would like to consider the new Elantra petrol AT after a test drive. I sincerely hope that the new Elantra not only matches upto the earlier model offered from the Hyundai stable but beats it with the better ride quality/ engine and affordable maintenance cost.