If you are looking for an economical purchase in executive sedans, the Hyundai Elantra is an option you should not let slide. While other brands such as Honda and Toyota usually rule the roost, the Hyundai Elantra provides decent competition.
Starting with the exterior of the vehicle, the Elantra adheres to the 'fluidic' design philosophy utilized by Hyundai. The front simply flows down towards the Hyundai emblem, with the front head lamps swimming in from the sides. The head lamps now feature a new fog-lamp.
The arches above the wheels are pulled out. A fluid line starting from the arch climbs all the way back to the tail lights. Accents of chrome can be found on the air dam, the grille and the side window outlines. The rear bumper has been bulked up and the tail lamps are slightly darker compared to the older model. The overall design did earn admiring stares from the passer-byers.
The arches above the wheels are pulled out. A fluid line starting from the arch climbs all the way back to the tail lights. Accents of chrome can be found on the air dam, the grille and the side window outlines. The rear bumper has been bulked up and the tail lamps are slightly darker compared to the older model. The overall design did earn admiring stares from the passer-byers.
The fluidic flow resumes inside the Elantra as the left and right console flow into the center, and downward to the gearbox assembly.
The materials used in the interior feel premium and the black finish accentuated by occasional silver feels high quality.
Oddly the steering itself is covered in tan leather. Audio, Bluetooth and cruise controls can be found on the steering steering pulled nicely away from the horn.
The instrument cluster behind it houses the silver trimmed RPM and speedometer, with digital gauges in-between. Slightly to its right sits the start and stop engine button.
A 4.3 inch touchscreen sits in the central console, a tax small for today's purposes.
A new feature underneath the dual zone climate control are the buttons to ventilated seats, a huge plus for hotter climates.
These are comfortable and enjoy plenty of room themselves with an armrest in-between hiding a 12v charger. There are storage options littered inside the vehicle. And the trunk itself is a spacious 485 litres.
The materials used in the interior feel premium and the black finish accentuated by occasional silver feels high quality.
Oddly the steering itself is covered in tan leather. Audio, Bluetooth and cruise controls can be found on the steering steering pulled nicely away from the horn.
The instrument cluster behind it houses the silver trimmed RPM and speedometer, with digital gauges in-between. Slightly to its right sits the start and stop engine button.
A 4.3 inch touchscreen sits in the central console, a tax small for today's purposes.
A new feature underneath the dual zone climate control are the buttons to ventilated seats, a huge plus for hotter climates.
These are comfortable and enjoy plenty of room themselves with an armrest in-between hiding a 12v charger. There are storage options littered inside the vehicle. And the trunk itself is a spacious 485 litres.
| Engine | Inline 4 cylinder |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.8 |
| Horsepower | 145 @ 6500 |
| Torque | 130 @ 4750 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
| Valve train | DOHC 16 valve with D-CCVT |
| Fuel Injection | MPI |
| Transmission | 6 speed manual/ 6 speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC and active ECO system |
| Front suspension | MacPherson Strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension | Torison axle with coil springs |
| Turning Diameter | 34.78 |
| Wheelbase (in) | 106.3 |
| Length (in) | 179.1 |
| Width (in) | 69.9 |
| Height (in) | 56.3 |
The Elantra's engine comes in two options, a 1.8 litre petrol option producing 149.5 PS of power and 177.5 Nm of torque and a 1.6litre diesel option producing 128 PS of power and 260Nm of torque, with 6 speed manual or automatic transmission.
What might seem inadequate, turns out sufficient for the Elantra, however it can’t seem to shift up a gear while driving at lower speeds.
While pressing the accelerator harder, the Elantra refuses to go all out, the absence of the sports mode should be telling. The all disc system is employed and the braking is as expected, but halfway through, the brakes bite in hard. The suspension is comfortable and handles all the bumps with ease, but harsher surfaces might throw people around. The car handles with ease and actually feels far more nimble than it is.
The Elantra can be best enjoyed when its limitations are accepted, it’s not going to leave people gasping for air in the speed department or elsewhere, but drives around the city fairly well.
What might seem inadequate, turns out sufficient for the Elantra, however it can’t seem to shift up a gear while driving at lower speeds.
While pressing the accelerator harder, the Elantra refuses to go all out, the absence of the sports mode should be telling. The all disc system is employed and the braking is as expected, but halfway through, the brakes bite in hard. The suspension is comfortable and handles all the bumps with ease, but harsher surfaces might throw people around. The car handles with ease and actually feels far more nimble than it is.
The Elantra can be best enjoyed when its limitations are accepted, it’s not going to leave people gasping for air in the speed department or elsewhere, but drives around the city fairly well.
