HYUNDAI Elantra GT 2018

Body, cabin and cargo space

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT is now more visually distinct from the sedan. Its body lines are more subdued, yet in tune with the times. Dimensions and wheelbase are unchanged and smaller overall for the segment, which probably explains the lack of knee and foot room in the back. Adults or grown children will likely feel cramped, especially when the front occupants take full advantage of the ample rearward seat adjustment.

Drivers get a very good driving position thanks to the long range of the telescoping steering wheel and the well-placed footrest. The only discomfort on long trips comes from the too-short centre armrest on GL and GLS models; on the Sport model, a sliding armrest takes care of the problem.

The well-shaped front seats easily accommodate all body types. The Sport model’s seats provide enhanced side support to meet its more dynamic performance. Seat heaters are standard, but GLS seats are no longer power adjustable. On the other hand, the front-passenger seat has height adjustment, something usually found only in a luxury vehicle.

Rear passengers are less pampered. The bench seat is well padded, but the flat cushions and low seating position decrease the comfort. Convenience features are reduced: no outboard seat heaters, USB charging outlet or even rear vents are listed.

The versatility of the Hyundai Elantra GT partially redeems its failings. The roomy cargo area has a dual-level floor to expand the volume or obtain a flat floor when folding down the 60/40-split rear backrest. The liftgate is light and the wide opening makes it easier to load big items. A luggage cover and a 12-volt outlet are standard.

Finish and convenience

Already well executed in the sedan, finish is even more meticulous in the new 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT. GL and GLS hatchback models display nice two-tone trim; Sport models have distinctive red trim accents, including on the seatbelts.

The Hyundai Elantra GT dashboard differs considerably from the sedan’s notably by the placement of the centre screen, perched rather than integrated into the centre stack. Fortunately, this European-inspired detail does not detract from the simplicity of the controls, or the ease of access, characteristics that are equally appreciated in the sedan.

Hyundai’s infotainment system design is one of the best on the market, underscored by the replacement of the former 12.7-cm (5 in.) screen by a 17.8-cm (7 in.) display on base models. Physical buttons and knobs are still provided for the main functions, including ventilation.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay interfaces are standard on all trims; a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, keyless start and a panoramic sunroof appear starting with the GLS. As usual with Hyundai, a large cubby houses the USB, auxiliary and 12-volt outlets, with a lid cover in Sport trim. The Sport variant is also the only model to offer an electric parking brake and automatic vehicle hold.

Safety features

• Antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Stability and traction control
• Hill-hold system
• Front airbags
• Driver knee airbag
• Front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Front safety belts with pretensioners
• Five head restraints (adjustable on outboard seats, retractable on middle seat)
• Backup camera
• Blind-spot and rear cross traffic alerts
• Forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with automatic lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control (standard, Sport Ultimate; non-available, other trims)

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Overall score: 4 / 5
Frontal impact: 4 / 5
Side impact: 4 / 5
Rollover resistance: 4 / 5

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact:
- driver side: 4 / 4
- passenger side: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4

IIHS Top Safety Pick

Visibility

The Hyundai Elantra GT deserves an honourable mention for front and side visibility thanks to the relatively narrow pillars and to the glass surface that is larger than before. The standard backup camera compensates for the narrow rear window. Also, considering the small outside mirrors, the blind-spot alert system is not just a luxury. Fortunately, it is standard on all trims.

Engine and transmission

Another differentiating feature between the Hyundai Elantra sedan and the Hyundai Elantra GT is the base engine. Though both are 2.0L 4-cylinder, only the GT gets direct fuel injection. Similarly, the sedan’s is an Atkinson cycle engine, which favours fuel economy over performance.

All that explains why the GL and GLS GTs deliver more power and especially much more torque than the sedan. The difference is immediately apparent; the GT moves along effortlessly where the sedan loses steam, such as on steep grades or when passing. Engine smoothness easily compares to the latest efforts by Honda and Toyota in the compact segment.

The performance of the automatic transmission is even more impressive. Fluid, smooth and well-geared, it fully exploits the power of the engine without undue noise in normal driving.

For livelier acceleration, you have to turn to the Hyundai Elantra GT Sport and its turbo engine. This 1.6L 4-cylinder is not as nervous as that of the Honda Civic Si or Volkswagen Golf GTI, but its low and mid-level reserves make driving as enjoyable in the city as on secondary highways.

For more fun, you can opt for the manual transmission, its throws and precision classing it in the upper range for the category. Even the clutch is nicely progressive, a quality unheard of in a Hyundai five or six years ago. A dual-clutch automatic can also be paired with the turbo engine; it is efficient, but the Golf GTI’s is quicker.

At 7.6 L/100 km, the fuel economy we observed in a base-engine Elantra GT hovered near the official Natural Resources Canada highway rating. Still, several rivals do better, particularly Japanese makes.

Ride and handling

Strangely, the Hyundai Elantra GT and Hyundai Elantra sedan are most alike in terms of handling. Why “strangely”? Because the European tunings pointed towards a more dynamic driving experience behind the wheel of the hatchback.

In reality, the handling of both is good but rather sedate with the 2.0L engine. The rear torsion-beam system nicely controls body movement while absorbing most road defects, at least when surfaces are not overly degraded.

The Sport versions of both the sedan and the hatchback get a multi-link rear suspension designed to reduce body roll to a minimum in curves. It succeeds very well, but at the price of rather stiff reactions in the case of the hatchback Sport model. The sedan Sport felt more civilized, without being cushy, in this respect.

We also preferred the sedan Sport for its heavier, livelier and more communicative steering, compared to the GT Sport. It should be noted that all the Hyundai Elantra hatchbacks suffer from overly light steering that numbs the driving experience. According to Hyundai Canada officials, the European engineers tuned it that way to meet the more “refined” tastes of the European clientele.

The explication is not totally satisfactory, but a few lines of code and turns of a screwdriver could easily remedy the situation. At the same time, Hyundai would do well to improve soundproofing under the floor to reduce tire noise in the cabin at highway speed.