HYUNDAI Elantra 2017
In pursuit of the Honda Civic
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good balance between comfort and handling
- New responsiveness in steering
- Well-spaced automatic transmission
- Almost “mid-size” dimensions
- Good interior ergonomics
Cons
- Tire noise still too loud
- Engine runs out of steam quickly
- Driver assistance features reserved for the Ultimate version
Overview
The most popular model in Hyundai’s history, the Hyundai Elantra is completely redesigned for the 2017 model year. Platform, engine, cabin, safety, and styling are all brand new to allow it to challenge the Honda Civic, Canada’s avowed sales leader for more than 15 years. The battle for buyers promises to be fascinating, especially since a redesigned Civic has also just been launched.
Most Hyundai Elantra models will be built in South Korea, Hyundai’s country of origin. Base versions of the compact sedan will be assembled for the first time at the U.S. plant in Montgomery, Alabama.
The Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback is unchanged for 2017; the next generation will continue to use the distinct platform of the European Elantra.
Verdict
Hyundai wasn’t bluffing: the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is a significant step up from the preceding model. Despite all the accolades it received six years ago, the previous version looked more and more outdated compared to the redesigned competition.
On the roads of the greater Victoria area, the new-generation 2017 Hyundai Elantra displayed a nice balance of comfort and handling. The tendency for the rear-end to hop on bumpy pavement—yes, British Columbia has some of that, too—seems a thing of the past; the car now easily maintains the intended path. The steering helps considerably thanks to a newfound liveliness. Sport mode sharpens steering precision to a point where it becomes fun to push things a bit in curves. At cruising speed, the Elantra seems more planted than before, and quieter, too, though tire noise is still too prevalent at times.
The new Atkinson-cycle engine is adequate in ordinary driving but seems to run out of steam in heavy acceleration. Fortunately, the smooth automatic transmission is quick and well geared enough to offset that weakness. Indications from Hyundai are to the effect that a more powerful powertrain will eventually become available.
The redesigned Hyundai Elantra goes on sale at the end of February starting at $17,694; that is just $200 more than for a 2016 L-model, much less well equipped. Price increases for other trims range from $200 to $450, which remains very reasonable.
Evaluation
Body and cabin
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra looks like a cross between the old model and the new Hyundai Sonata. The result is pared down, contemporary styling, enhanced by new LED running lights. Its slightly larger dimensions are average for the segment. Furthermore, its 270 cm wheelbase—unchanged since last year—is identical to that of at least six other compacts currently on the market.Like the preceding generation, the new Hyundai Elantra is roomy enough to place it in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s midsize category. The 2017 edition also provides more head- and foot room in the back, eliminating a weakness in the former model. On paper, the trunk has lost a few litres of capacity, but its high, wide shape makes it just as easy to use.
The front seats provide good side support; it remains to be seen if the soft padding will be supportive on long trips. Even the least expensive model has front seat heaters and a height-adjustable front passenger seat—a rarity for the segment. GLS trim and up still come with heated rear outboard seats—and seatbacks, which is new. Even the steering wheel now has a warmer and not just on the top trim level: Hyundai Canada includes it starting on the GL model, expected to represent 55 percent of sales here.
The redesigned dashboard adopts a horizontal layout that is both sober and functional and places all controls within easy reach. Hyundai wisely kept real knobs and buttons for the infotainment system, which makes it very easy to use on a daily basis. The touch screen (7 in. on GL and GLS models, 8 in. on the Limited and Ultimate) is clear, logical and simple. The system includes the Android Auto app, which reproduces the main functions of a telephone of the same type. iPhone users will have to wait a bit to obtain Apple CarPlay; an update will become available to add the app on models currently on sale.
Safety
Hyundai made much at its press event of the 2017 Elantra’s new “superstructure” platform. It incorporates 53 percent high-strength steel, two-and-a-half times more than in the former platform. Redesigned crumple zones and a new driver’s knee airbag supplement the more solid chassis. Hyundai therefore expects to obtain top crash-test ratings from the U.S. government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.In terms of crash avoidance systems, Elantra offers lane departure warning with lane keep assist, forward collision alert with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control, all for the first time. All these features are reserved for the high-end Ultimate, and they are not cheap: Hyundai charges $2,550 for what competitors sell for $1,000 to $1,500. The manufacturer will evaluate buyer interest before deciding to offer them in the less expensive versions, similar to Honda for the 2016 Civic.
It did, however, make a laudable decision to include blind-spot detection on all versions starting with the GL, the most popular model in the line-up. Coupled with rear cross-traffic detection, it is one of most practical of the various driver assist technologies. In a similar vein, all 2017 models except the base L and LE come with a backup camera.
Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Overall score: 4 / 5
Frontal impact: 4 / 5
Side impact: 5 / 5
Rollover resistance: 4 / 5
Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4
IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Mechanical overview
According to Hyundai, the new platform offers a 29.5-percent improvement in torsional rigidity and 25.3 percent more bend strength. A more solid structure not only enhances safety, but also improves road comportment: the engineers can adopt more flexible suspension tunings without adversely impacting handling.In fact, the engineers completely revised the rear suspension. The simple torsion beam construction has been maintained, but the shock absorbers are now placed more vertically and towards the sides. In our experience, that arrangement usually provides better stability. The front suspension and steering have also been updated, though to a lesser degree.
Hyundai also made improvements to sound insulation, which was not a strong suit of the previous generation. The upgrades include additional foam insulation in all the roof pillars, a sound absorbing membrane in the rear wheel wells and thicker carpeting.
There is more change under the hood: an all-new 2.0L 4-cylinder is now the only available engine in 2017. It is distinctive for its Atkinson-cycle combustion, supposedly more fuel efficient than the standard Otto cycle. The downside is that the 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque are similar to that of the old 1.8L engine; moreover, the 2.0L direct-injected engine of the former GLS and Limited had 26 hp more power and 22 lb-ft more torque.
Hyundai was still waiting for certification by Natural Resources Canada for the fuel ratings of the 2017 Elantra at launch time. We’ll have to wait to see if the trade-off in power is worthwhile.
In tune with the market, nearly all models are delivered with an automatic transmission. For the Elantra that means the third generation of the transmission originally introduced in 2011. It has undergone several internal modifications to make shifting of the six-speeds more fluid and reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, the designers added a Sport mode that delays shifts and sharpens throttle response to improve performance.
The six-speed manual is unchanged and now available only on the base L and Sport trims.