2021 Hyundai Elantra Limited First test: reinventing reputations

Our test Elantra arrived at the office with a price tag of $ 26,610, which was equipped with the Limited trim level. It was in sparkling Portofino Gray paint and had attractive 17-inch wheels. It looks sharp and stands out from the average compact sedan thanks to its sharp lines and extravagant “catfish” grille. This last point is probably the most controversial accent in Elantra, but we suppose it is better to be brave than simple.

A 2.0-liter I-4 sends 147 hp and 132 lb-ft to the front wheels via a CVT. In the city, the drive train is slippery and barely noticeable when the music is played. At full throttle the Elantra doesn’t get too lively or too rough. Simulated shifts from the CVT are harmless. In fact, the transmission is so smooth that it takes a back seat to the otherwise admirable stance of the car.

In the test wing, the 2021 Elantra managed a time from 0 to 60 miles per hour of 8.4 seconds. For comparison, a 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE completed a run of 8.2 seconds, and a Honda Civic Sport Touring made a relatively impressive start in 7.1 seconds. What it lacks in liveliness, the Hyundai Elantra makes up for when braking. We found the stoppers to have an excellent bite and very little fade after numerous tests. Slowing from 60 to 0 mph took 116 feet to the 119 feet of the Toyota Corolla. The Civic Touring only managed 113 feet to do the same.

The Elantra’s steering can be a little vague in the middle, but engaging Sport mode makes it firmer. Chris Walton, Road Testing Editor, commented, “The steering is a bit lifeless, but it’s easy to give directions in the middle of the corner.” After almost two weeks behind the wheel, you get used to the steering feel and while it’s not as sharp as we’d like it to be, the driver doesn’t have to fight the Elantra to get it in the right direction. Walton praised the Elantra’s tough grip on the skidpad. We recorded an average of 0.85 g of side grip. Not bad for an economy sedan that runs on all-season tires, even though this Civic hatch could handle 0.90g in all seasons.

Our review editors didn’t see much benefit in using Sport mode at full throttle. In this equipment variant, the selector button of the Elantra Limited is attached to the left of the gear lever. To the left of the instrument cluster, however, there is an illuminated circular motif that serves no purpose. The driving mode selector is located here on the Elantra N-Line.

Any other time, getting a Hyundai Elantra rating would be a chore. Historically, the South Korean compact wasn’t the most stylish or fun proposition in its segment. Much of that has changed now. The sharp lines of the body are high quality and the interior, at least with limited equipment, is covered in pseudo leather that feels both comfortable and durable. Most of the surfaces that the driver normally touches, such as the door panels and armrests, are covered with the material.

The cabin also feels stylish and of high quality – thanks to two 10.3-inch screens that are reminiscent of the cockpit of a Mercedes-Benz product. They’re lightning fast and show sharp graphics too. ple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity work without any problems. The user experience is very intuitive as the controls are arranged so that functions are easy to find. Hyundai’s new four-spoke steering wheel is attractive and sits comfortably in the driver’s hands. The controls are easy to use and not intrusive and prevent accidental entries.

There’s plenty of room for adults in the back seat and plenty of space in the trunk. The interior isn’t claustrophobic and feels airy even with the sunroof open – just like the interior of a well-designed luxury car. Only when your hand goes astray and hits hard plastic does the illusion of high life dissolve. In particular, the cup holders come to mind. Hyundai made them adjustable in height (the bottom can be removed and flipped over to make the cup holders deep or shallow) but there is nothing that keeps bottles or cups still. Tall Swell bottles, for example, rattle and flutter in an extremely irritating manner. If there is room to add padding, this is it.

Hyundai equipped the Elantra Limited with an impressive array of high-tech features. The keyless entry and remote start were equipped with our test car. The Elantra Limited lacked painful parking sensors, a strange exclusion if, in addition to a variety of safety technologies, it even included safety functions such as automatic collision warning and prevention as well as support in avoiding collisions in cross traffic at the rear. That being said, it has an electric parking brake and automatic stop, two features that are not guaranteed on cars that are twice or three times more expensive. Drivers also benefit from wireless charging and a sonorous Bose premium audio system with eight speakers.

Once an outsider, the Elantra has taken on a much more confident and coherent identity. Starting at $ 19,650, Hyundai’s compact sedan is feature-rich and presented in a well-designed package. It drives with balance and also manages to feel good. We appreciate the accomplishment of the purpose, and Elantra Limited did just that. Underdog no more, this really is a vehicle worth considering.

Show everything