Test drove both 1.6 & 1.8, and both 2 times.........hahaha

One thing to add, I tested on a much further route, if you are familiar with the area, you know how to make that long U-turn looking @ Empire...

And, as some knew, i owned H, and Hyundai before....

1.8
with its published spec of ~ 2.0 Civic, I was expecting something in par on acceleration, and pulling.....but, I guess it is slightly better than 1.8 only........
when compare with Forte 2.0 (or even optima 2.0 which i nearly bought), the performance of kia definitely better.

The power of low rpm is good enough for smooth ramp, but if you are splinter, not for you, the power kicks in in higher rpm.
And, mind you, if you press paddle hard enough, the gear shift only appear @ 6500

handling, better than sonata!!! very very similar to civic 1.8, better than kia........

1.6 HS
was a surprise!!!, first, the moment i sit in the car, the feeling was so different, maybe is because of the leather..... might as well put in fabric.........
When I left the parking lot, and started to test, OMG, that is .............. really sluggish!!!! because of my expectation, I felt really dissapointed!!!


couldnt believe it, i again, took the longer route, with SA ....

Again, the power only kicks in in high RPM, but low RPM, forget it. For daily use, it should be good enough.
Comparing to forte2.0, forte2.0 wins!

OVERALL:

If you have a budget of 140k:
===>Kia Optima

If you have a budget of 110-120k, or 140k but wife dont approve K5 (because too big for her):
Forget about altis1.8, civic 1.8 etc, ====> Elantra 1.8 (pls dont compare with civic 2.0)

if you have a budget of <100k,
I find if difficult to recommend Elantra 1.6HS, ======> forte 2.0 (with higher spec, better performance, if you dont mind the space la....)

However, if you are upgrading from B-segment (ie city, vios), of expect it to be in par with forte 1.6 (c-segment)........ then you can start bashing SD!!!!!!!!!

P/S: I placed booking for 1.8, good enough for me, which clock around 70-80k mileage every year............

Did the comparison too......... that is why it feel so sluggish, I guess elantra is only meant for smooth and not rapid acceleration.

Even when compare 1.8Premium vs forte 2.0, the starting torque is too much away, and forte at @3500RPM is already near 4500RPM of elantra, so, can see the pull is not there....

Any bro here got confirmation of 1.8 Elantra delivery date? Especially Hyper Metalic?

I opt for Hyper Metalic, and 2nd choice sleek silver.........

SA called today, only sleek silver, can get car by probably next week or soo.........

If wanna wait for Hyper Metalic, no guarantee le.............. maybe 2nd batch also depend on luck..............

Most (although small number) Hyper Metalic is 1.6............