2002 Hyundai Elantra Review

Automakers frequently offer sexier versions of standard models to increase sales, and that's exactly what South Koreas Hyundai has done by offering a new, European-style GT hatchback version of its Elantra sedan. Hatchbacks long have been considered practical in Europe and Japan, because it is easy to pop open the hatch and load various types of cargo. But most Americans began associating hatchbacks with cheap economy cars more than a decade ago, and demanded regular trunks. Today, however, hatchbacks are making a comeback in this country.

Even the new Mercedes-Benz C230 model is a hatchback, and automakers such as BMW also might offer hatchbacks here. If Mercedes has a hatchback, why not us? Hyundai Motor America said. Why not, indeed? Especially since an increasing number of Americans want European-style cars.
The Elantra GT is a U.S. version of the Elantra four-door hatchback sedan sold in Europe. Hyundai Motor America was given the green light by the automakers South Korean bosses to sell the car in the United States. But they were told to soften the suspension presumably to make the car more suited to American tastes.

Fortunately, Hyundai Motor America convinced the Hyundai Motor Co. bosses that such a move would take the sport out of the GT by giving it a less responsive suspension not suited to a genuine GT car. The Elantra GT thus has gas-filled shock absorbers tuned to European specifications and European-market front and rear anti-roll bars. The fully independent rear suspension has offset coil springs and Euro-specification gas-filled shock absorbers.

There also are fairly wide 60-series tires on alloy wheels. And the car is equipped with four wheel disc brakes for better stopping power, instead of the front disc/rear drum brake setup common on lower-priced autos such as the GT. It costs $13,999 with a five-speed manual transmission and $14,799 with a four-speed automatic. The front-drive GT is fun to drive, with quick, precise rack-and-pinion steering, sharp handling and nice brake pedal feel.

The ride is supple despite the stiffer Euro-style suspension. The manual shifter works slickly and the clutch is light, although it has a rather long throw. The GT has no more power than the standard Elantra sedan, which is propelled by a two-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It's modern, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Acceleration is strong, but the engine needs lots of revs for lively performance because it's small. Moreover, it revs at a high 3,000 rpm in fifth gear at 70 mph.

However, fuel economy is good: an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 33 on highways with the manual gearbox and 23 and 32 with the automatic. The GT is above-average largely because the standard Elantra sedan on which it's based was significantly improved for 2001. It was made longer, taller and roomier, with more comfort and refinement. The Elantra is one of the better subcompact cars and has one of the industry's longest warranties: 5 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-miles powertrain protection.

Hyundai suffers from its spotty old reputation and needs such a warranty to sell lots of cars here, which is what it's doing. However, don't look for the resale value you get from rivals such as Toyota and Honda. The GT generally is a bargain. It's so well equipped that the only options are anti-lock brakes and an associated traction-control system for $525 and a $650 power tilt/slide sunroof. However, they aren't priced as separate items and thus must be ordered in an $1,175 option package. The GT looks slick and could be mistaken for a car with a regular trunk. The interior is fairly quiet, but the white-on-gray gauges are designed more for style than function. There's plenty of room for four 6-footers.

Manually adjustable front seats work well, although the driver seatback lever on my test GT didn't work properly. The center of the rear seat is rather firm, but OK for a third adult passenger on short trips. There are large, fairly smooth radio and climate controls, easily reached cup holders in the front console and fairly large storage pockets in front doors. Convenient dashboard-area compartments are good places to plunk tollway change. Rear windows don't roll all the way down could lead to spills at drive-through lanes in fast-food outlets. After all, this is a family car, no Ferrari

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2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT

Prices
$13,999-$14,799
Likes
Fun to drive. Roomy. Very well equipped. Versatile hatchback design.
Dislikes
Engine needs high revs. Rear windows don't roll down all the way. Average resale value.