Hyundai Elantra 2017
Test Drive
Written by Katerina Krjanina
Photographs by Katerina Krjanina
Introduction
According to Hyundai, the new 2017 Hyundai Elantra is all about “new”. The Hyundai Elantra is a sixth-generation compact sedan and it is very quiet on the road. This car includes quietness, stiffness, economy and fun. It is considered to be in a higher category of cars-to-drive. Surprisingly for some consumers who don’t know this brand too well, Hyundai has been making very nice and stylish cars lately. The Elantra has a beautiful design, with led fog lights and a very sharp shape. The new snub-nose front end gives to Hyundai a pretty good design. I like the profile and features of this car in general. This car is very nice and comfortable to drive, it is fun.
Interior & Navigation
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has an 8-inch touchscreen, feature Google search, and supports AppleCar Play plus Android Auto, which is a part of the $2,500 technology package. This also adds a premium audio system, a screen in the gauges and a few other things. This automobile produces a very good fuel economy from the 2-liter engine. The cabin is quiet and the seats in this Limited model are leather. Hyundai uses Soy Foam for padding leather, so don’t expect any softness. The steering wheel could be much fancier, but as I mention before Hyundai likes to keep it simple.
Exterior
The Hyundai Elantra is not trying to be super fancy but it is a very stylish car. There are only a few colors of exterior painting to choose from, and only a few different surface textures. The hard grey plastic on the doors doesn’t feel too fancy, but the wheels add some credit with gear shifter. It’s a nice touch!
The Hyundai Elantra I had to test came with the optional Ultimate package. This package provides all the autonomous safety features such as lane keeping, backup camera and forward collision warning. This car has a great future which gives you an early warning when the car in front of you stops suddenly. It reminds you to pay attention to the road. The heated back seats are a nice touch for the second and third passenger.
Engine
The Hyundai Elantra has two new powertrains for the year 2017. The first, which is installed on the base SE and Limited trims, is the 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic sends power forward, resulting in a combined rating of 33 mpg.
Bottom Line
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is a great comfortable car to drive. The dashboard and driver-assist electronics lift the Hyundai Elantra to a higher level from the competition. You are absolutely getting what you pay for or more. It can be used as a family car, just for a couple, or as a single person vehicle.
