Well that's surprising
The new-for-2018 Hyundai Elantra GT gives us another five-door sportster–lower, wider, stiffer and lighter than the outgoing model. It’s roomier inside, too.
And it doesn’t just get a “track-tuned” suspension. As the Hyundai media site notes, development was done on the Nordschleife.
Two powertrains are available, with the base engine being a 162-horsepower, 2.0-liter four. The GT Sport package adds a turbo 1.6 that produces 201 horsepower along with 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Two transmissions are offered with the turbo: a six-speed manual or a seven-speed, dual-clutch.
The GT Sport also gets 18-inch wheels–17s are standard–along with upsized brakes and a different rear suspension: Hyundai replaces standard torsion beam rear axle with a fully independent multi-link setup.
How much for all of this? The standard Elantra GT starts at $19,350. Budget $23,250 (manual transmission) or $24,350 (twin-clutch) for the Elantra GT Sport.
Sadly, though, our test car wasn’t the high-zoot model. We received the standard Elantra GT fitted with an automatic box–and $7000 in comfort and convenience options. No turbo, no twin-clutch and no multi-link rear suspension.
The base car is the right size and shape for this class. The door openings are big, and the cockpit feels open and airy–a lot like a contemporary Civic or Impreza
But the base Elantra GT package left me disappointed. The seats felt flat, the engine was buzzy, and the automatic box is lifeless. Putting it in the sport mode didn’t help.
The Civic Sport that we sampled had a stick shift. It cost a few dollars more ($21,500 in fact) but based what I have driven I’d have to give the Honda the nod.
I’m eager to try the Elantra GT Sport. Can it out-Civic Si the Civic Si? The Elantra GT Sport retails for almost a grand less. Could be a heck of a fight.
Well that's surprising
Why would they loan the humblest, and most boring of the line up to a magazine that writes to enthusiasts? Wtf.
I have the 2017 Elantra Sport sedan--1.6T / M6. I smile every time I drive it--going on 11mo/16k. The value these cars offer is tremendous. Was under $18K after discounts/incentives.
Trackmouse said:Why would they loan the humblest, and most boring of the line up to a magazine that writes to enthusiasts? Wtf.
Probably because it is the only one that is loaned to car magazines and rotated around the different magazines. Most other mags write about the boring luxury models and most buyers prefer the boring luxury models. GRM and their readers being the exception and unfortunately the minority. This has been gone over before. Plus most of us would wait a couple years when they show up on the used market before buying one anyway.
In reply to FSP_ZX2 :
What kind of fuel economy are you getting?
Paul
This is immediately on my list for when my 09 WRX bites the dust someday. Looks like a killer deal. Does it have the usual Hyundai 10/10k warranty in the Turbo model as well?
The fuel mileage is a bit disappointing on the turbo model, though. 22 city 29hwy 25 combined? That's pretty much what I get in my WRX with an extra 100hp and AWD (23 city, 27hwy, 24 combined)
I want to have a look see at the unibody to see how they managed to get the mounts for two totally different suspensions on there.
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
That would be cool to see, if it is in the same body. The old ‘82-‘85 celica’s were IRS and SRA, but two different chassis, and then they split that by hatch and coupe, so technically, four different chassis, same great taste.
wlkelley3 said:Trackmouse said:Why would they loan the humblest, and most boring of the line up to a magazine that writes to enthusiasts? Wtf.
Probably because it is the only one that is loaned to car magazines and rotated around the different magazines. Most other mags write about the boring luxury models and most buyers prefer the boring luxury models. GRM and their readers being the exception and unfortunately the minority. This has been gone over before. Plus most of us would wait a couple years when they show up on the used market before buying one anyway.
Yep, we're more or less at the whim of our press fleet. I was hoping for the sportier version myself.
mazdeuce - Seth said:I want to have a look see at the unibody to see how they managed to get the mounts for two totally different suspensions on there.
there's a lot of room under there. I don't doubt it at all.
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