New Hyundai Elantra | Road Test Review

On the inside, the story is not much different. The cabin is very functional and every little corner seems to have been intricately thought out and designed. The Elantra features leather seats, dual zone climate control with ventilated front seats, aluminum scuff plates, smart key with push button start/ stop function, aluminum pedals, front and rear seat armrests and a very handy infotainment setup which is USB, AUX and bluetooth enabled. The overall fit and finish inside the cabin is quite good and feels very up market and contemporary. The subtle accents of chrome and glossy finish on the dash add to the touch and feel, while the overall quality of materials is quite commendable.

At the heart of the Hyundai Elantra is the same 1.6 litre diesel which also powers the Verna. However, this engine has been re-tuned by Hyundai. The Elantra is also available with a new 2.0 litre Petrol VTVT engine. We got our hands on the 1582cc, CRDi, Diesel which puts out approximately 126hp at 4000rpm and 260Nm of torque from 1900  to 2750rpm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with options for a 6-speed manual transmission also on offer. Peak power in the Elantra 1.6L, CRDi comes in at approximately 4000rpm. However, the vehicle gains momentum quick and can achieve good speeds. We got our hands on the Elantra with the 6-speed automatic transmission. At first I was not too impressed but once we got on to open stretches of road and I changed the settings to sport mode everything seemed to brighten up. 

The 6-speed auto box is quite refined and the gear shifts feel seamless. The transmission comes with three different driving modes -- Auto, Eco and Sport. While I was on the highway I engaged Sport mode and was enjoying the drive a lot. The engine immediately becomes more responsive and one can feel the surge of power. As soon as I hit a little traffic, I switched to Eco mode which made the response rather dull but then again I did not need too much power and was sure to save some fuel as well. Speaking of fuel, the 1.6 litre, CRDi automatic returns almost 18kms to the litre. This is more than decent for an automatic sedan of its size.

Hyundai has also tweaked the driving dynamics of the new Elantra which has a much better steering setup. The steering is now much more responsive and is accurate to driver inputs however it still remains rather wooden and lacks in feedback. The suspension setup on the new Elantra is a McPherson Strut in the front and a Coupled Torsion Beam in the rear. The rear also comes with gas filled shock absorbers with HRS (Hydraulic Recoil Stopper) technology. HRS makes the ride a little stiffer and gives a sporty feel to the suspension. The chassis also feels stiffer than before and caters for a very planted and well balanced ride even at higher speeds. The new Elantra comes with disc brakes in the front and rear, the braking is progressive and lends the driver a lot of control and confidence.

The cabin of the Elantra feels quite modern and contemporary. It has a lot of functionality built into it and that makes all the difference. The overall design of the car is very likable and checks all the right boxes in my book. The engine also does perform exceptionally well however we would have loved a little more performance out of it. Overall levels of comfort are good with low NVH levels catering for a very fun and carefree ride. This executive sedan is definitely something which the segment has been lacking in many ways. It also has cruise control, 6 airbags including driver, co-driver, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Start Assist Control and an AHSS (Advanced High Strength Steel) construction. The new Elantra comes full loaded with features, safety and performance and all of this at a reasonable price point.