Hyundai Elantra - Key highlights

Hyundai Elantra is one of the few mid-size sedans available for your choosing. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive. With a base price that costs more than Toyota Vios and Honda City, it makes you wonder… is the Elantra really worth buying?

We can’t say much about the outgoing model, but its latest iteration leaves no room for guesswork as to where those extra thousands go. Hyundai Elantra gets a sporty and luxurious redesign from Luc Donckerwolk, the former design director of Volkswagen.

Donckerwolke has designed cars for Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini. More recently, he was rumored to be Hyundai’s Chief Design Officer. His experience with European brands shows on the new Elantra, as it now features a “Fluidic Sculpture” design not found in previous models.

Hyundai Philippines is offering two variants up for grabs, which will either run on the 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Hyundai Elantra GL serves as the base model. It packs a 1.6-liter Gamma MPI engine with about 125 hp and 154 Nm of torque. Hyundai Elantra GLS is the higher-end variant. Beneath its hood is a more powerful 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine that churns out 150 hp and 192 Nm of torque.

How much is the Hyundai Elantra?

Hyundai Elantra price starts at Php 970,000 but this can go up to Php 1,065,000 if you opt for the range-topping GLS. Its price isn’t exactly at par with the top compact cars which sell for under Php 900,000. That being said, the Hyundai Elantra does have features that make it a worthwhile investment.

1. Tough exterior

The new Elantra has more than just good looks. Its redesign comes with a strengthened outer frame, which Hyundai claims is comprised of 53% advanced high-strength steel.

It has reinforced B-pillars and dual impact rear beams which provide better durability against impact. This makes the vehicle less likely to cave in should you find yourself in a collision accident.

2. Built for performance

Hyundai made a lot of tweaks to the Elantra so you can get more out of it. To start with, it features an aerodynamic design for optimum stability and fuel efficiency on the road.

The revamped chassis not only adds rigidity to the underbody; it makes room for 15-inch disk brakes upfront for enhanced handling and brake performance. Its suspensions have also been adjusted to improve steering control and the overall driving experience.

3. Comfortable to ride

You would think that because it has fabric upholstery and a plastic-laden interior, Hyundai Motors also skimped on the comfort factor. But that is not the case with this four-door sedan.

The seats are adequately cushioned and proportioned in relation to the cabin space. They provide ample headspace, legroom, and wiggle room for both front and rear passengers. The driver seat also can be adjusted accordingly to your height.

Best of all, you can take this commuter car for longer drives without having to worry about motion sickness. Thanks to the upgraded springs on shock absorbers, Hyundai Elantra guarantees better riding comfort for everyone. It handles noise, vibrations, and harshness (NVH) quite well too. So you can definitely count on it for a smooth and quiet trip.

4. Practical storage

The 420-liter boot space inside the Elantra may not be the best-in-class but it’s pretty generous. It can fit luggage for a small family who’s traveling for the weekend, or perhaps two weeks of groceries.

You will also find plenty of cubby spaces and consoles inside the cabin. Here, you can safely keep your gadgets and other thingamajigs.

5. Power features

When it boils down to finding a budget-friendly vehicle, you can do away with digital entertainment and automatic controls. However, one thing that every car should have in this day and age is power features. Thankfully, the Hyundai Elantra specs sheet includes power windows, power door locks, and power side-view mirrors. 

6. Safety

We already mentioned how Hyundai doubled down on safety by introducing a sturdier chassis on the new Elantra. Of course, that’s not the only safety feature you can expect out of it.

Hyundai Elantra GL gets keyless entry and driver-only airbags. Meanwhile, Hyundai Elantra GLS will have dual front airbags, an anti-lock braking system, and an immobilizer. The range-topper will also have rear sensors paired to a parking assist system. It can alert you of any obstacles so you can park safely.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra a good car?

Definitely. The new Hyundai Elantra is better-equipped than the pre-facelift model. For its price tag, you get the most handsome compact car in the segment. Rather than give you features that you can live without, the South Korean automaker placed heavier emphasis on what makes a great driving experience.

We do recommend weighing the pros and cons of Hyundai Elantra before deciding on your purchase. After all, it’s not as affordable as rivals like the Toyota Vios and Honda Civic. That being said, you can rest assured of the Elantra’s safety, comfort, and practicality.

Also read: Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sylphy - The better pick