Hyundai's compact Elantra sedan remains a crowd pleaser thanks to stylish good looks, capable interior and value-positioned price points. One of the industry's longest powertrain warranties (10 years) also adds depth and texture to the picture.
The 2017 model year welcomes a sixth-generation front-wheel-drive redesign. Visually, cues remain evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. Like a stylish college grad moving onto life's next phase, Elantra's provocative 'fluidic Sculpture' profile (introduced in the fifth-generation redo) has morphed and matured, but recognizable as an Elantra. Handling and ride tilt toward softer conventional luxury, not overly sporty or jarring. Hyundai adds five new exterior colors out of a total of eight.
An entry SE trim checks in at an enticing $17,150, $100 less than the outgoing 2016 despite a slew of upgrades. Add $1,000 for automatic transmission. The 2017 model year also welcomes several new four-cylinder powertrains. While wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) remains unchanged, overall length grows nearly an inch while width grows a full inch. More extensive use of high-strength steel (53 percent versus 21 percent from 2016) helps lighten the load.
Inside, Elantra offers roominess approaching some mid-sizers, allowing for three riders in back to experience relative comfy quarters.
Most notable visual change for 2017: Elantra's prominent hexagonal front grille replacing a two-tier structure. This new face of Hyundai now adorns many siblings. Also for 2017, headlight housing narrows and lowers providing greater emphasis to the can't-miss grille. A half-dozen or so be-jeweled Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights flank the lower edges of the front face, replacing a wider design. Chrome framework surrounds side windows adding a bit of maturity compared to the blacked out Goth style in Gen 5.
Gently curving rearward C pillars remain about the same svelte thickness as front A pillars with a short trunk deck lid contrasting nicely with the longer, contoured hood. Protective cladding now adorns the rear-bumper's bottom.
Four 2017 trims include: SE, Limited, Eco and Sport. Both SE and Limited arrived during the first quarter of 2016 while Eco arrived in May. Sport took a fashionably late approach, bowing in the final quarter of this year with unique visual cues including unique front grill hues and larger 18-inch tires. Also exclusive to Sport: a multi-link rear suspension.
Elantra welcomes several new four-cylinder powertrain choices in 2017 (no six-cylinder opportunities). Opt for SE or Limited and enjoy a new naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.0-liter Atkinson-style four cylinder delivering 147 horses replacing an outgoing 1.8-liter double overhead cam four banger cranking out 145 horses.
The Eco trim introduces an all-new 1.4-liter turbocharged gas-direct -injected four cylinder generating 128 horses. Sport also rides with a turbocharged engine, a larger 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas-direct-injected variety boosting horsepower to 201 from last year's 2.0-liter delivering 173 horses.
Both SE and Sport come with a six-speed manual transmission standard. Limited comes standard with a six-speed automatic (optional in SE). Eco comes with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A push control returns right of the floor-mounted transmission shifter for selecting normal, sport or eco drive modes.
Eco trims reach the coveted 40 miles per gallon highway while delivering above average 32 mpg city. Our Limited and its 2.0-liter four-cylinder deliverd highly respectable data points as well, registering 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
A redesigned lower-volume five-door hatchback body style (marketed as Elantra GT) is due out next spring.
Our Limited trim with standard leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and blind spot detectors with rear traffic alerts started at $22,350. Two factory option packages included a $2,500 Tech Package and $1,900 Ultimate Package (requiring tech package purchase) with a bottom line of $27,710 after $835 destination charge and $125 dealer installed carpeted floor mats. It's the most opulent 2017 Elantra available.
Limited's Tech Packages upsize the in-dash multi-purpose screen dimensions from seven to eight inches while implementing Apple Car play and Android Auto supporting Smartphone connectivity and interactions. Also on board, heated rear seats, 4.2-inch digital instrument panel center cluster and power sunroof. Ultimate Package adds new-to-Elantra radar-enhanced cruise control (automatically slowing and speeding Elantra depending upon the distance of the vehicle ahead), lane keep assist and memory settings for driver seat and outside mirrors.
Base SE trims offer an $800 Popular Equipment Package (seven-inch audio display, Android Auto and Car Play, steering wheel audio controls, conventional cruise control) and its version of a Tech Package (blind-spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, heated front seats, dual temperature controls, hands-free trunk lift). The mono-spec Elantra ECO arrives with many standard features, but limited options.
Electronic push button start returns to the dashboard. A major update is the central ventilation/audio center. Gen Five opted for a vertical, hour-glass type design with the in-dash center screen occupying the upper region. The lower portion features a large chrome dial serving as fan-speed monitor surrounded in "U" like fashion with ventilation buttons.
In 2017, Elantra returns a familiar horizontal dashboard flow. The in-dash multi-function color screen remains atop while a single row of buttons summoning navigation and radio options are neatly arranged below. Ventilation functions go in-row as well, exchanging the eclectic "U" design for two rows of buttons, narrow digital screen and dials at each end.
Below, a cove inlet with illuminated USB, Auxiliary plug ports and two 12-volt outlets now dons a flat sliding privacy cover, replacing a swing up-down flat panel from 2016. An additional 12-volt power outlet is found ensconced inside the rear-hinged arm rest/storage bin.
Two large deep-set instrument panel analog gauges from 2016 now seem closer. Newer flat-type analog gauges for 2017 include chrome trimming. Also, a traditional, half-moon style analog gas gauge tucked along the bottom of the right-side speedometer replaces an illuminated multi brick-type digital version.
Front door power window controls now reside on the same level as the armrest. Gen Five sported a 45-degree angle arrangement. Secondary steering wheel audio controls utilize small, push-able tactile rollers, replacing 'braille' like dots on push plates.
Our Limited edition included new side-view mirrors tilting downward with the transmission stationed in reverse, to better view obstructions on sides and behind.
The fuel tank holds 14.0 gallons of regular 87-octane fuel, acceptable with all powertrains. Also available in select models: an automatic opening trunk lid when stationed behind the vehicle for three seconds with the key fob on person.
Hyundai produces Elantra and mid-size Sonata sedans at its 3.2 million square foot Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant. It's the South Korean automaker's sole U.S. assembly facility.
The first car (A Sonata) rolled off in 2005 while Elantra production commenced in 2010. For the 2015 calendar year, Elantra easily landed as Hyundai's top-selling vehicle with 241,706 units, up from 2014's 222,023; outpacing second-place finishing Sonata by some 27,000 or so units. Elantras sold in the U.S. are also assembled in South Korea to keep pace with demand.
At a Glance
Price as tested: $27,710
Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder
Horsepower: 147
Overall Length: 179.9 inches
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Overall width: 70.9 inches
Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
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