Folllow-up test: 2010 Hyundai Elantra sedan
Vehicle: 2010 Hyundal Elantra GL Sport Automatic
Price as tested: CDN$22699
With all the attention surrouning Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Elantra Touring these days. Most would probably forgot about Hyundai’s bread-and-butter car, Elantra sedan. Although the Elantra sedan doesn’t share platform with the Touring, both are excellent grocery getters in their own ways.
Elantra’s 2.0 liter 138hp provides surprisingly good response and fuel economy. The overall refinement of Hyundai’s 4-cylinder has been world-class, it is as good as anything else from Japanese counterparts. The 4-speed automatic with proper gear ratio has worked exceptionally well with this engine. 136 lb/ft of torque has given it enough grunt to make the Elantra off-the-line while variable valve timing ensures it has a good mid-range acceleration.
If there is one major dynamic drawback, it has to do with Elantra’s featherweight steering. While the Elantra Touring has completely different steering set-up, which makes for far better steering feel and feedback on low speeds. Elantra sedan has numb steering feedback at low speed although it firms up nicely as speed raises. In terms of suspension setting, Elantra has set it more toward ride comfort although handling is sure-footness and confidence. Given its comfort-oriented setting, Elantra’s dynamic abilities have done exceptionally well.
In terms of active safety feature, its ridiculous for Hyundai not to offer Elantra with ABS standard below GL Sport, while ESC isn’t available for trim levels below GLS. The lack of availabiilty of ABS and ESC on base models have made Elantra not as good value-for-money as what we expect from Hyundai.
What is most impressive is Elantra’s interior finishings. As there are plenty of soft-touch plastic materials in the cabin. All the switchgears have high-quality, tactical feel; which have better plastic moldings than some of its Japanese counterparts. The velour seats provide superb comfort, for both front and rear passengers.
If you are looking for a comfortable small car with a trunk, Elantra sedan is definitely a contender in this fiercely competitive class. However, we at Directshift has always been huge fans of hatchback and station wagon. So we would put our money toward Elantra Touring given the choice.
Likes:
Build quality
Handling and ride
Refinement
Dislikes:
Featherweight and numb steering at low speed
ABS isn’t available for trim levels below GL with Sport Package
ESC isn’t available for trim levels below GLS