Today's automotive industry may be about SUVs and crossovers, but back in the early 2000’s, minivans were the thing. They seemed the perfect solution for drivers who wanted a spacious vehicle that didn’t cost much to buy and maintain. As a new fast-growing company at the time, Hyundai wanted its share in the market.
So, the Korean automaker put a lot of effort into designing a model that would eventually debut in 2001, the Hyundai Elantra Lavita. In other parts of the world, this model is known either as just Lavita or as Matrix.
The model was in production between 2001 and 2009, but the Australian version was available for no more than four years between 2001 and 2004.
The First Generation of Hyundai Elantra Lavita (2001-2004)
Design
The official debut was back in 2001, and Hyundai came up with an all-new model designed and engineered relatively quickly.
Mechanically, the new model was heavily related to Hyundai Elantra, which was already an established four-door sedan at the time. The two models shared engines, transmission, and most other technologies. Even their wheelbases were quite similar.
In Australia, the new model debuted the same year as the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. Of course, the affordable price was one of its main strengths, but most buyers were also attracted by its styling.
The Lavita did look quite attractive at the time, especially compared to Asian rivals such as Daewoo Tacuma. The famous Italian design studio, Pininfarina, was responsible for Lavita's look.
Officially, this is a small hatchback, but its 1,685-mm height made it look like a real MPV, not just in terms of the styling but also in interior space and overall cabin functionality. It seemed like a perfect choice for taller drivers who needed an affordable and manoeuvrable city car.
The ride quality was really good, especially for that era, which could be attributed to a pretty advanced suspension setup. An independent McPherson strut was installed at the front, while the rear axle featured a multi-link, independent, coil-based setup.
On the other hand, brakes were rather typical for the segment, with ventilated discs on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear end.
Dimensions
Size-wise, the Hyundai Elantra Lavita 2002 came to the market to compete with small city minivans, a segment that is commonly known as the B-class MPV.
As mentioned, the wheelbase is roughly 2,600 mm, which is quite similar to the Elantra sedan. The overall length goes around 4,025 mm, while the max height goes up to 1,685 mm.
Thanks to the relatively short wheelbase, the Elantra Lavita offers impressive manoeuvrability. It has a turning circle of 10.4 metres.
Hyundai Elantra Lavita Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 2,600 mm
- Height: 1,685 mm
- Length: 4,025 mm
- Width: 1,740 mm
- Ground clearance: 160 mm
- Weight: 1,248 kg
- Turning circle: 10.4 m
- Rear track: 1,485 mm
- Front track: 1,485 mm
Engines
This minivan was offered in various parts of the world, so it's no wonder it was available in several powertrain options to meet different requirements.
In Australia, it came with only one engine offering, which incidentally was the most powerful option for this model – a 1.8-litre inline-four (90 kW, 161 Nm) engine. Fortunately, the Korean manufacturer offered two transmission choices, a 5-speed manual (MT) and a 4-speed automatic (AT).
MT models need around 11.3 seconds to hit 100 km/h, while versions with automatic transmission are 1.4-seconds slower.
Also, models with manual transmission feature a higher top speed of 184 km/h and a more efficient fuel economy of 7.5 L/100km. In comparison, the AT equivalent can only go up to 170 km/h and is significantly thirstier at 8.3 L/100km.
Hyundai Elantra Lavita Engine Specs
- Engine Capacity: 1795cc
- Number of cylinders: 4cyl
- Fuel type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Forced Induction: -
- Max torque: 161Nm
- Max power: 90kW
- Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 11.3s (MT); 12.7s (AT)
- Top Speed: 184 km/h (MT); 170 km/h (AT)
- Fuel Consumption (combined): 7.5 L/100km (MT); 8.3 L/100km (AT)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 55L
Features
The Australian version of this minivan was offered in just one grade, called GLS. The list of standard equipment included goodies like airbags for the driver, air conditioning, central locking remote control, engine immobiliser, power steering, power windows, 6-speaker audio system, roof racks and pre-tensioners front seats, to name a few.
While this may seem very modest by today’s standards, this was a relatively decent list of standard features back in the day.
Hyundai Elantra Lavita Outside Australia
The Australian Hyundai Elantra Lavita had a relatively short lifespan, but it remained in production in some other parts of the world until 2009. The reception was pretty good in Europe, where this model was sold under the Hyundai Matrix nameplate. In Malaysia, they call it Inokom Matrix.
In these parts of the world, the Lavita was offered with different powertrains, including a couple of diesel options. The production ended in 2009, and the successor came in the form of Hyundai ix20.
Is Hyundai Elantra Lavita same as Hyundai Elantra?
No, it's not. It shares a lot of parts, especially regarding mechanics, but the overall layout is entirely different. The Elantra Lavita is a small MPV with a design that emphasizes practicality.
On the other hand, the standard Elantra is a more conventional type of car. It comes either as a 4-door sedan or as a 5-door liftback. In both cases, it is notably longer. Also, the interior design is different, not only in terms of passenger and cargo room but also in the appearance of the dashboard.
Is Hyundai Elantra Lavita a good used car to buy?
If you're looking for a super cheap and practical city car, this might be a good choice for you. Still, keep in mind that this is a pretty old car with a history of issues, the most significant being transmission issues in AT models. So, you should instead look for versions with the 5-speed manual.
Electrical issues are a pretty common thing. Also. the Elantra Lavita doesn't feature a particularly great interior quality, so count on strange sounds from the dashboard.
Where can I find replacement parts for my old Hyundai Elantra Lavita?
For a car that old, finding parts can be a real headache, but we can help you find with that. CarPartAU can connect you to hundreds of reputable wreckers and even zero in on those nearest you.
You only need to fill out this online form to request the part you’re looking for and wait for quotations from various sellers and wreckers. Choose the best offer and agree on the terms. That simple! Find that auto part now!
By Nebojsa Grmusa