Spy Photos: 2012 Hyundai Elantra Coupe

I bet someone got in trouble over that big dent!

That's not a dent, it's a new design feature known as the "Krafic Krinkle". By the way, Mike, don't you mean the Elantra received the award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit?

that is a huge ass.

It comes from the factory with dents and creases

It's "pre-dented" so you don't have to worry about getting that first ding or dent.

The screwed up crease looks worse than Magraths typing.

Over all it looks too much like a Civic coupe. To differentiate it from the Civic, Hyundai should have turned it into a hatchback, with no visible trunkiness.

Geez... Get over the stupid dent - It's A Test Mule!

Anyway... Looks fantastic, much like almost all recent entries from the Hyundai/Kia Group.

Seems like Honda's about to lose even more sales to the Koreans.

It's not the "Krafic Krinkle", it's the "RUFFLES® Ripple" for which Frito-Lay paid handsomely for the naming rights!

(first two models years only)

The roof line and the window shape is bang on! The ass isnt bad too. BUT i dont like all the lines and it will become dated fast.

Whoa! The Elantra is showing an exhaust tip now?

A 2 door toaster is still a toaster.

The roofline looks like a mid-90s civic coupe. The whole thing works better as a sedan.

Looks like the Toyota Paseo. Outside of the overstyled front and rear, the profile is mundane.

What's the selling point? "Now even LESS practical!" ?

perrito says:
07:48 AM, 01/21/12
What's the selling point? "Now even LESS practical!" ?

uhh... same goes for the Civic coupe.

Gentlemen, a coupe is for looks only. A style for someone (like me) that doesn't carry more that one psgr at a time. If needed the two seats in back are comfy. An yes a hatchback would make more practical, but then there are those that don't like the hatchbacks. Less see, make it a 4 door hatch then no one would buy it. I'll just keep my VW GTI for now. Unless the rumored turbo is added hopefully with the suspension upgrade too..

"Gentlemen, a coupe is for looks only."

Which is why, I think, that people don't feel this is good enough. If the sedan were ugly like the Civic sedan always has been, then there's a fit for the coupe. But the sedan is very nicely styled. It's more of a compliment towards the sedan than a dis towards the coupe.

Wow! It looks impressive. Makes the new Honda Civic coupe dated and irrelevant. Too bad, Honda, that your designers lack the talent and creativity needed to produce this kind of awesomeness!!

I think the Elantra sedan looks decent, but I like more with the coupe (but I tend to think the same for most cars Eg. a 3-series couple looks nicer than the 3-series sedan).

Surprisingly, i like the little tweaks to the rear end of this coupe as well.. Should be a pretty decent package. Tho, I might change this wheel combo, a bit dull. I think 18" shoes would look great on the coupe

I like it, would easily be my choice over a Civic coupe. Honda's designs are so bland nowadays.

Come to think of it... Not all that big a field for small coupes... All I can think of is the Civic and the Veloster... I'd take the Civic over the Veloster, but this would give me pause.

I'm still not understanding the whole "Joker grin." Do they want us to think of it as a joke?

This will be the safe play for those who don't want the funky Veloster. I would guess that this will whack the Veloster's annual sales numbers in half. What are the chances that they will put the 2.0T in this? That would be a coupe that I could get interested in.

This will be the safe play for those who don't want the funky Veloster. I would guess that this will whack the Veloster's annual sales numbers in half. What are the chances that they will put the 2.0T in this? That would be a coupe that I could get interested in.

aw c'mon Hyundai, put DI on the 1.8 already...you'll be pushing 160 hp at least and will be getting 42 or more mpg on the highway.

If I wanted a 2006 Honda Civic Ex Coupe I'd buy a 2006 Honda Civic Ex Coupe.

I like how soooooooooo many here determine their purchases simply based on styling instead of the package a whole. With that said, I'd still choose a 2006-2011 Civic over the current Elantra for several logical reasons.

I'm not saying that Hyundai hasnt improved their offerings as they certainly have but I've heard people say that Hyundai is the new Honda, and that's far from the truth. I've yet to see anything from Hyundai that's truly innovative. I've yet to see a car from Hyundai that's truly inspirational or truly fun to drive. I've yet to see a high level of tactile performance from ANY Hyundai or Kia product. With that said, a good warranty, bold styling and high feature content can only do so much.

The styling somewhat worked on the sedan... but on this coupe it just looks ridiculous... kinda stupid actually. I'm not sure if the side kink (nevermind the dent) is worse, or that face.

I think I'd prefer Kia's Forte lineup, even if they do look somewhat Civic-like.

@hondacura4 You're obviously biased based on your screen name. Coming from someone who has only ever owned Honda's and comes from a Honda Family until recently. I currently own one of the best Honda's ever built and will never part ways with it. (Honda S2000). Accord Coupe is about the only Sport Model (FWD) and isn't very fun or let alone "Innovative"

You are absolutely dead wrong about Hyundai not taking over Honda's niche! Honda offered performance and reliability at a fraction of competitors cost in years past. Hyundai has taken over! Hyundai has Bluelink, listening to it's customers. Turbocharged FWD/RWD vehicles, Standard Features that are options on Honda's! Oh, RWD compact, mid-size, large cars! Honda - None!

Performance Car offerings (with Warranty)
Hyundai Genesis Coupe = Honda's offering ?????
Hyundai Genesis R-Spec (429hp) = Honda's offering ?????
Hyundai Veloster Turbo = Honda Civic Si (Honda will probably win this battle, based on personal experience), ****Rumors to be a Turbocharged Elantra as well****

Again, Hyundai has +400 hp cars (plural), I don't see any with Honda! None even in the 300hp range. They are close though. Oh sorry in fairness, the Acura TL/RL barely eclipse the 300/305hp mark.

You obviously haven't driven the likes of a Sonata SE, let alone on back roads (remember I own a Honda S2000) and found it entertaining to drive, using the paddle shifters to downshift and upshift in the mountains of GA. Is it a S2000? noooo but while my wife was attending a meeting, I was "enjoying" myself on some back roads... is it as good as my wife's previous 2010 MKV GTI with the DSG, of course not but still entertaining while listening to my Pandora on Bluetooth. I could probably say the same with the Accord but the outdated interior was a major let down. (Wife's Sonata).

You haven't driven an Elantra have you, no. The features inside that car are unparalleled to any civic. With the exception of the SI, they really aren't meant to be driven hard or for fun. They are people movers on a budget but the quality between the two. Hyundai Elantra wins hands down, hence North American car of year. I've previously owned a Honda Civic and an SI as well. (Brother switched from 2010 Accord to 2012 Elantra)

Father owns an Equus. Honda doesn't even offer anything to this magnitude. (Oh my Father must be stupid for buying an $60,000 Hyundai - well that extra $30-40k saved from a Merc or BMW, he's now purchasing a 1-2 year old 335i BMW for weekend sprited driving and leaving the Equus for comfortable but surprisingly nimble for a Beast of a car. Air-Ride Suspension, Sport Mode - Honda has none of that. (Father's car). BTW I've driven a S550, financially it's not worth the extra 40K considering you still have to pay the +$500 dollars each time you visit the dealer for service after your pre-paid service plan runs out. Hyundai takes care of your service all the way to 60K without some extra pre-paid service plan. (Previous car 2010 Hyundai Genesis, North American Car of the Year)

Mother still owns a 2004 Honda Pilot because the current offering has become too truck like and considering she only drives 5k a year, no reason to switch.

I think I've proved my point. Oh sorry, Honda has about two dominant cars better or let's say more innovative than the Hyundai family. You can keep your 40K Honda Odyssey and the Pilot/MDX which Hyundai's Veracruz is extremely outdated and part of the previous generation. Hyundai is for real and Honda is now reacting. It's about time the NSX is coming back.

Future owner, Daily Driven - 2013 Hyundai Track - 348 hp, 8-speed (Another thing Honda doesn't have)

Same time - 3 years, 36k warranty plain out sucks for people that like to drive!

Unless you've driven them, you can't compare.

BTW hondacura4, you didn't give any logical reasons only subjective info.

Am I the only one who thinks this car is hideous?

jerintampa

""Father owns an Equus. Honda doesn't even offer anything to this magnitude. (Oh my Father must be stupid for buying an $60,000 Hyundai""

You're right on this one.

Actually, regardless of my screen name, I'm far from biased as I like select vehicles from a number of manufacturers such as BMW, Cadillac etc etc. Just because Hyundai offers something that Honda doesn't, doesn't mean Hyundai executed it correctly. As I said before, regardless of what Hyundai is offering, tactile performance and fun to drive character ARE ABSENT from Hyundais lineup. I've driven a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 4cyl (my sisters) and although it's a nice car I dont see what all the talk is about it. It rode well and handled decently but the steering was lifeless (like all Hyundai products) and the transmission was slow regardless of driver input. The Genesis coupe regardless of being RWD didn't impress as the 2.0t was uninspiring and the 3.8L didn't back up it on the butt dyno as it didn't feel anywhere near as powerful as it said on paper. The 2.0t in the Sonata looks good on paper but it's performance varies significantly car to car and its real world fuel mileage isn't any better than its V6 competition. The V6 Camry SE is still faster, more efficient and now has better driving dynamics.

I still stand by what I said about Hyundai being the new Honda. Honda was innovative, made high quality products that drove extremely well, they were efficient, and offered technologies in mainstream cars like the Civic that werent even found in luxury cars, and had a level of tactile performance that wasnt offered in any of the competition at the time. Honda didn't have to rely on bold styling, big warranties or a high level of feature content to draw customers as their level of engineering did that for them. I'm certainly not saying Honda was or is perfect but I dont see any similarities between the 2 brands. And dont even let me start on motorsports as Honda is one of the winningest names in motorsports. Hyundai is where in motorsports?

For the record I own a 2003 Acura CL-S 6MT (my daily driver), 2002 Honda S2000 (my stress reliever), 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite (wifes), and a 2005 Honda S2000 (wife's stress reliever). My CL-S might get replaced by the new ATS 3.6 6MT, a new 335i Sport or maybe even a GTi.

"I still stand by what I said about Hyundai being the new Honda."

That was supposed to say "I still stand by what I said about Hyundai NOT being the new Honda."

@ jerintampa......I also have noticed the plethora of offerings Hyundai/Kia has brought at the table, and it certainly deserves merit. Hyundai/Kia actually LISTENS to what their customers want and adjusts accordingly. Driving dynamics isn't that bad. Hell, I'd by an Elantra over a Corolla, any day. It is so much better equipped, has better value, and an unbeatable warranty. Honda has finally LISTENED to what publications and people are saying about the so-called NEW Civic. And they are rushing to re-style it inside and out as we speak for next year. Kia is working on their motorsports division. Look for them to take on this challenge. The Optima SX blows the Accord out of the water and is the VALUE leader at the moment. Maybe this is a wake-up call for Honda? Hopefully so. But don't count Hyundai/Kia out. They are just in the beginning stages of an astounding revolution. Which just means better choices for us consumers.

hondaacura4 - I have no problems with the steering and it's still a bias on both sides of our arguments. I will agree with you on the 2.0T Genesis coupe (needed more power) but I disagree with the 3.8 Genesis Coupe.

Personally the Innovation may not be the likes of VTEC, i-VTEC, SH-AWD or some other features but them actually having everything pretty much standard is innovative at a fraction of the cost and oh by the way, if it fails the longer warranty is a major benefit, not just after 3 yrs/36K miles, 4 yrs/48k but 5 yrs/60k mile warranty. I went through my warranty on my old civic 2 years after purchasing it. I was left without a factory warranty (I purchased an extended warranty afterwards). My personal view, Hyundai believes in their product, otherwise they wouldn't warranty it for so long.

I can even argue a few simple facts that are innovative

- Cheap, RWD Turbochaged coupe. Who else? It may not be stellar from the factory but it's a start. - Customers wanted it and got it. Subaru BRZ and Toyota FR-S are following suit.
- 10-Speed Auto - Isn't the Dodge Dart using at least their 8-speed auto and reports of a 10-speed for them.
- Knee Airbags for the driver
- Creative (Bold Styling) and excessive features in the Compact Car Class
- They also have their Trade-In Guarantee
- Majority are built in the USA
- Turbo Hatch
- I could keep going on but Hyundai is growing up before our eyes and it's pretty exciting.

@ accordguy0325

You must own an Accord, you can't talk.

@ twistedrider

I most certainly agree. I'm glad I'm not the only one and still not drinking the 90's kool-aid. It's going to be exciting to see what this Azera will even provide. It's going to have more features than a Acura TSX and a Toyota Avalon, probably a good $5-8k cheaper as well.

@ Jerintampa

""@ accordguy0325

You must own an Accord, you can't talk.""

I can say whatever I wish as it's still a free country, I bet you support communist Obama huh ?

this looks great, well everything but the dent ...hope they come out with a sport version having the 200hp GDI engine