Hyundai Elantra: The good & the bad

Despite the growing competition in the mid-size sedan segment, the Hyundai Elantra is still one of the best-looking sedans available right now. However, looks are not the only thing that should be considered while deciding which car to buy. So, here we are to find out some of the pros and cons of the Elantra and whether you should buy one or not. Let’s get started.

Hyundai Elantra Pros

 

Award-winning design

The latest model of the Elantra comes with a design philosophy which Hyundai likes to call “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0”. This gives the Elantra a very attractive and distinctive appearance. Of course, this isn’t the only Hyundai car to get the Fluidic treatment but you can still identify it. There are fewer curves on the car than before.

You will notice more angular cuts and creases which enhance the dynamic look of the vehicle. At the front, there is a pair of projector type headlights which comes with integrated LED daytime running lights. The shape of the headlamps is very mean and aggressive. Then we have the Hyundai’s signature radiator grill with subtle yet prominent horizontal chrome slats.

There is also a chrome boundary on the grill just for the added premium feel. We also like the sporty design of the front bumper that comes with fog lamps. The side profile of the Elantra is highlighted by the creases present on the doors and the striking-looking alloy wheels. The body-colored outside rearview mirrors look brilliant as well. The rear end gets a kind of a mixture of elegant and sporty appearance. This is mostly because of the two large two-piece combination tail lights. They look amazing and are one of the features of the car.

Driver-oriented dashboard

The dashboard on the Hyundai Elantra is very simple and elegant and it has been designed to be more driver-oriented. This means that most of the controls, switches, and buttons located on the dashboard are well within the reach of the driver. This makes sure that the driver doesn’t have to lean forward to use any of the controls located on the dashboard. Everything is very ergonomically designed.

Interior comfort

The seats on the Elantra are very well designed. They have just the right amount of cushioning that provides with great support. Also, with the inclusion of the rear AC vents, Hyundai took the comfort level of the rear passengers one notch higher.

Engine

The Hyundai Elantra specs tell that the sedan is available with two engine options. The first one is a 1.6-litre unit that produces 127.5 PS of max power at 6,300 rpm and 153 Nm of peak torque that kicks in at 4,850 rpm. This engine comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

The second engine is a more powerful 2.0-litre unit which churns out 152 horses at 6,200 rpm and 192 Nm of twisting force at 4,000 rpm. This is available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox only. Hyundai has done a good job in tuning this engine with the transmission. Also, the peak torque is generated at a much lower in the rev range when compared to that of the 1.6-litre engine. This makes driving at slower speeds much easier.

Hyundai Elantra Cons

 

Interior space

The Elantra is a mid-sized sedan and for that, it falls short when it comes to interior space. It isn’t too bad but it could have been better. The front occupants wouldn’t complain about it that much as they have more space, however, things at the back aren’t that great. Yes, you can travel and perhaps, you wouldn’t notice the limited legroom until you sit in one of Elantra’s rivals like the Toyota Vios. Also, the slanting roofline does make the car look that much better but because of that, the rear passenger headroom takes a hit.

Audio system

The infotainment system mentioned on the Hyundai Elantra specs sheet is a 5-inch monitor with FM/AM Radio, CD, USB, and AUX connectivity. Hyundai should have included a bigger touch screen with Bluetooth support here. How can Hyundai miss on Bluetooth? Also, some kind of smartphone integration feature is also necessary for today’s time.

Limited safety features

The Hyundai Elantra price starts at Php 970,000. This is for the base model which gets just a driver side SRS airbag only. Hyundai has even skipped ABS on this model. That is a big shame as, on the other hand, we have the Toyota Vios whose base model costs Php 659,000 and comes with seven SRS airbags and much more. Even the range-topping model of the Elantra doesn’t get as many safety features as the base model of the Vios and it costs over a million Pesos.

Should you buy one?

The Elantra might be able to steal your heart with its looks but it lacks some crucial features which one shouldn’t ignore. There are better options available in the market that are newer and more affordable than the Elantra. But if you are a true Hyundai fan, then no one can stop you from buying one.

Also Read:- Hyundai Elantra - Top alternatives