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HYUNDAI ELANTRA

TEST DRIVE D

October 14 2019

Hyundai Elantra Review By: Rick Walker

The new Hyundai Elantra is in a word solid. Yes, it's a solid choice and it all starts with a stiff solid unibody chassis. The stiffness of the chassis isn't something you can easily see, but it's a big deal because it enhances handling, safety, and a car that is ultimately quiet and rattle free.

Hyundai has been making steady improvements to the Elantra over time in response to heavy competition in this market segment from vehicles like the Honda Civic, Chevy Cruize, and Toyota Corolla.

Our test vehicle was equipped with the 2.0 litre four cylinder engine which is standard across the trim packages, and the IVT Transmission or Intelligent Variable Transmission. This is Hyundai's version of a continuously variable transmission. For Hyundai the IVT seems to be a big deal. They're putting a lot of emphasis on it in their marketing. On some versions of the Elantra a six-speed-manual transmission is available, but it's the IVT automatic that is getting all the hype.

The four cylinder engine produces 147 horsepower. Performance is more than adequate, with impressive acceleration. Even more impressive is the fuel economy which comes in at 31-miles-per-gallon in the city, and 41-miles-per-gallon on the highway.

The ride and handling is superior to previous versions of the Elantra.

Stand-Up:"At times the ride seems to be a little bit spongy".

You can choose from six different trim packages. This is a car that offers great value with a starting price around 18-thousand dollars. However, you can upscale this car with a wide range of options that even just a few years ago were only available on very high cars. You can load it up with Hyundai Smart Sense providing packages of high tech options to improve safety and the overall driving experience. Forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision warning system, parking distance warning, high beam assist, and the available driver attention warning system will alert you and wake you up if you start to fall asleep on a long drive.

Keep loading it up with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual zone temperature controls, eight way power drivers seat, an available 8-speaker infinity sound system offers superior sound, and what you have luxurious car at an affordable price.

With android auto, and apple car play keep you connected to your favorite apps, and Hyundai's Blue Link, will let you lock, unlock and even start your vehicle remotely with your phone.

The Elantra has also received styling updates in recent years, and that flows through into the current model year with LED Lighting accents that set this car apart. The unique lines in the tail lights, and head lights give this car a distinct sporty personality. Overall the car is reserved as one would expect, but there are elements in the design that provide some flair.

Stand-Up:"Overall this is a good family car, a good car for commuting. The ride is comfortable and there plenty of leg and head room in the back for adults".

The rear seats also fold flat allowing pass through from the trunk creating more cargo space for long objects.

This is a car that will really appeal most to price conscious consumers. It is priced below its main competitors, and really Hyundai customers tend to be more focused on price. The question people will have to grapple with, is whether spending a little more on a Civic, or a Toyota is really worth it in the long run.

Hyundai does provide one of the best warranties in this class, with 60-month or 100-thousand kilometer protection.

. Whether it's the car for you will depend on expected long term resale value, leasing options, purchase incentives, and what kinds of sales or incentives are being offered by competing brands.

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New standard features

Intelligent Variable Transmission
Dual Automatic Temperature Control
3.5-inch mono TFT cluster display
Efficient Positive Temperature Coefficient Electric Heater (2.0L engine only)
Engine Idle Stop & Go on Eco model
Dual Shell Horn
Hyundai SmartSense features
Lane Keeping Assist
Driver Attention Warning
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
Hyundai’s new IVT provides superior efficiency and simulates gear shifts from an automatic transmission that customers like. This transmission performs continuous shifts by modulating pressure of the transmission’s pulley, depending on driving conditions and driver inputs. It utilizes a wide ratio pulley system, which provides a broader ratio of operation when compared with its competitors. This allows for improved fuel economy at higher gear ratios and improved performance at lower ratios.

As opposed to a more common push belt, the IVT takes advantage of a chain belt, a world’s first in the compact car segment. A chain improves fuel efficiency by an additional 1.2% when compared with conventional belt systems.

Hyundai’s new Shift Control Strategy used by the IVT improves linearity between driver inputs, vehicle behavior and acceleration. Shift response is enhanced, allowing it to closely replicate automatic transmission step shifts.

Hyundai SmartSense
The 2020 Elantra offers a new array of standard advanced safety technologies.

FCA uses the car’s front-facing camera to help detect an imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking
LKA helps prevent accidental lane departure by sensing road markings, automatically steering the car if necessary.
Driver Attention Warning system monitors a spectrum of driver-related characteristics to help detect driver fatigue.

SmartSense features already included on the Elantra Limited with Ultimate Package include:

Smart Cruise Control (SCC) makes highway and long distance driving more comfortable. Using a radar sensor mounted on the lower front grille, the SCC system maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead in varied traffic conditions by automatically adjusting vehicle speed as needed.
Safe Exit Assist that may sound an alert when a vehicle approaches from behind, letting passengers know it may not be safe to open the door to exit the vehicle.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection is a technology that utilizes both the front forward-facing radar and camera through sensor fusion to help detect a vehicle or pedestrian, and warn the driver of a potential collision. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system may apply emergency braking in certain circumstances.

Additional SmartSense Safety features include:

Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist (available all trims except SE)

Interior Features

Standard: 5-inch color audio system
Standard: Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls
Blue Link® Connected Car System with three years of complimentary Blue Link services applied to Value Edition
Qi wireless charging applied to Limited trim level
Available AVN 5.0 with faster processor, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ and HERE HD Traffic 8-inch Multimedia Navigation System offered with higher level trims
Infinity premium audio with 8 speakers including a center channel and subwoofer applied to Limited trim level
Drive Mode Select applied standard
Standard: Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Engine Performance
The Elantra features two engine options that focus on fuel efficiency and a third engine option in the Elantra Sport model. The SE, SEL, Value Edition and Limited offer the 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle engine with 147 horsepower @ 6,200 RPM and Eco offers the 1.4L Turbo-GDI with 128 horsepower @ 5,500 RPM. The Eco model achieves an EPA estimated 36 mpgcombined fuel economy rating thanks to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

Elantra Sport
The Elantra Sport trim features a 201 horsepower 1.6L Turbo-GDI engine and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, a sporty interior and revised trim headliner, advanced technology and connectivity, paddle shifters, sport front seats with leather, flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sport instrument cluster and door trim garnish. The Elantra Sport features multi-link independent rear suspension which improves the dynamic performance and allows for greater flexibility in tuning.