By Philip Ruth–
Life has its surprises. For instance, it’s surprising that polls show a near-tie between two presidential candidates, when one of them is a convicted felon with no discernable sense of morality. It’s a head-scratcher!
Surprising also describes two new vehicles: the $29,825 Hyundai Elantra N Line and $60,969 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958. Both have evolved into remarkably interesting versions of themselves.
With the Hyundai, you’d skip the sleepy SE and SEL trims for the N Line, which adds a 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine that loves to rev and sounds great doing it. This 1.6-liter turbo also generates 195 lb-ft of torque peaking at only 1,500 rpm, and this chucks the Elantra N Line off the line with satisfying strength. Aided by its quick-shifting, seven-speed automatic, this Elantra N was a delight even just puttering around the city.
Inside, the Elantra N Line mirrors other Hyundai sedans in having a clear view out front, while competing Civics and Corollas can bury you behind their tall dashboards. The 10.25-inch center screen is nicely integrated and is easy to learn, and interior styling is fresh without feeling trendy.
Exterior styling also belies the Elantra N Line’s economy roots, with shark-like sculpting up front and sharp contouring on the sides. The N Line adds stylish 18-inch wheels, and the “Ecotronic Grey” finish was rich with metallic sparkles. Your eyes could find a lot to like with the Elantra N Line.
The same is true of the Land Cruiser 1958, the base trim level. Its headlights are round, recalling the model that first debuted in the U.S. in, yes, 1958. The two higher trims have rectangular units that call back to later iterations.
Nothing looks quite like this Land Cruiser 1958, with its flat hood, unique greenhouse shaping, and bold detailing. Where the last-generation Land Cruiser was a slick and fancy SUV that rarely saw service outside upscale shopping districts like San Jose’s Santana Row, this reimagined model appears purpose-built for off-roading.
New Land Cruisers dump the 5.7-liter V8 in the previous model for a 2.4 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine—and it beats the old one in torque by 64 lb-ft, with all its 465 lb-ft available at just 1,700 rpm. So, like the Elantra N Line, this Land Cruiser 1958 felt muscular as it sprinted from a stop. And, it returned almost 19 mpg running around San Francisco—a massive jump from the 11 mpg I saw with the previous V8.
Inside, the Land Cruiser 1958 eschews the leather of higher trims with thick cloth that refreshingly transports you back to the basic feel of earlier models. The blocky instrument panel has lots of physical buttons and selectors, joining the Elantra N Line in bucking the trend of bunching those controls into screen menus. In many ways, the Land Cruiser 1958 can be a sigh of relief for those seeking a simpler driving experience.
Here’s hoping for more nice surprises like these, instead of the other kind.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
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Published on August 8, 2024
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