?2017 Hyundai Elantra Sedan?
New Elantra Sport enhances Daily Driving

Hyundai entered its sixth generation of Elantra production last year in a big way, with two new engines, a new platform, new suspension and new styling, with a bold and dynamic design, as well as advanced safety and technology features. The Hyundai Elantra Sport for 2017 displays a confident, athletic stance, leading off with the family?s signature hexagonal grille and offering available HID headlights with Dynamic Bending light, available vertical LED daytime running lights and functional air curtains in the new front fascia. The hood rises from the grille to the sharply angled windshield with pronounced character creases running to the ?A? pillars.


Model-exclusive front and rear fascias provide the new Sport with a crucial visual differentiation from the rest of the Elantra lineup, featuring subtle but immediately recognizable ?tells? that hint at the car?s improved power and dynamics. The Sport displays a black hexagonal grille with a subtle ?Turbo? badge; aggressive side sill extensions; horizontal LED Daytime Running Lights; a unique inner housing for the standard HID headlamps; a Sport-specific light signature for the standard LED taillights; and chrome right side dual exhaust outlets nestled in a rear-bumper diffuser insert. Sport-specific 18-inch wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 Noble? ultra high performance all-season tires add to the vehicle?s sporting nature.

In profile, the Elantra?s silhouette showcases a sporty, coupe-like greenhouse with blacked out ?B? pillars, whose top flows gracefully to the short rear deck with its integrated spoiler lip. A bright lower, upswept trim strip accentuates the car?s racy form and impressive aero features. The co-efficient of drag is now 0.31. Out back, the Elantra displays width and stability, sitting low over the wheels and tires. There is a smart hands-free trunk with a proximity key, along with available LED taillights. The wheelbase and height remain the same as last year?s Elantra, but the overall length and width are increased for 2017 5-passenger, mid-size sedan models.

Moving to the inside, the Elantra offers the same interior volume as the premium class Cadillac CTS, and is a step up from Audi?s A4 and BMW?s 3-Series, while the refined dynamics provide a simplified, yet modern and driver-oriented layout and feel that emphasizes the high tech detailed execution. The wide design of the Instrument panel delivers a sense of spaciousness, in a contemporary and intuitive form.

Interior highlights include: Leather seating with heated front and rear seats, a Premium instrument panel with a 4.2-inch color LCD electroluminescent cluster, a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob, a 60/40 split folding rear seat with a center armrest, dual automatic temperature control with an auto-defogger, a 7-inch display for the audio system, an available 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, Dual-charging USB port; integrated Memory System; and Hyundai?s blueLink connectivity features, as well as Hyundai?s AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM 7? Display Audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also included is a proximity key with push-button start. Alloy pedals and a Sport exclusive instrument gauge cluster provide even more differentiation from the rest of the Elantra line-up.

Structurally, the new Elantra utilizes 53 percent high strength steel ? an increase over the previous 21 percent. Torsional and Bending rigidity have both also been increased by more than 25 percent. Ride quality is enhanced thanks to rear suspension revisions, and NVH quality is also improved for a quieter ride.

Propelling the new Elantra lineup is Hyundai?s proven Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI inline four cylinder engine, which produces 201 hp at 6,000 RPM and 195 lb.-ft. of torque in a range from 1,500~4,500 RPM?increases of 54 hp and 63 lb.-ft., respectively, over the standard naturally aspirated Elantra. The engine mates to a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a 7-speed DCT with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is optionally available. for drivers who prefer automated shifts.

All new Hyundai Elantras will feature user-selectable drive modes: an efficient Eco mode; a well-balanced Normal Mode; and a dynamic Sport Mode.

Safety technology features with the Premium Package include: Automatic Emergency Brake with Pedestrian Detection and Smart Cruise Control; Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist System and Rear View Camera with Dynamic Guidelines; Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.

My test 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport wore a Symphony Air Silver exterior, while the interior was finished in Black. It came with the 6-speed manual transmission. The base price was set at $21,650., while the final price tag came to $25,010. After adding the Premium Package, carpeted floor mats and Inland freight and Handling charges.

SUMMARY: The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport is an ideal mid-size, fun-to-drive 5-passenger sedan that delivers sporty acceleration. The six-speed manual gearbox transmission shifts smoothly up or down, and the ride quality presents a stable and comfortable experience.

Handling characteristics are definitely sportier than the base Elantra lineup, and switchgear is both user-friendly and intuitive.
The new 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport is very visually appealing and is capable of more than holding its own with competitors in the mid-size sedan segment, and, at a much lower price, content not withstanding.

In the final analysis, this new Elantra Sport is a delight in every respect ? especially considering its content and affordability. It?s fun-to-drive persona and stylish design will likely appeal to a younger consumer, and is sure to enable it to continue as an impressive Hyundai sales leader.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the?Hyundai Assurance?program, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai?s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and In-Vehicle Service Scheduling.

SPECIFICATIONS: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport

Base Price: ??????????? ??????????? ????$21,650.

Price as Tested:??????????? ??????????? $25,010.

Engine Type and Size: ??????????? Gamma 1.6-liter, DOHC, 16-valve GDI four-cylinder /

 

Horsepower (bhp):??????????? ???????????201 @ 6,000 rpm

Torque (ft./ lbs.):??????????? ?????????195 @ 1,500-4,500 rpm

Transmission:??????????? ??????????? 6-speed manual, dry single plate with diaphragm spring type clutch / or 7-speed DCT dry-type electronic.

Drive Train:??????????? ??????????Transversely mounted front engine / Front-Wheel Drive.

Suspension:??? Front – Independent, MacPherson strut with coil springs, hydraulic twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers and 24 mm stabilizer bar.
Rear – Multi-link Independent with 15mm stabilizer bar, gas-filled hydraulic monotube shock absorbers and coil springs.

Brakes:??? Power-assisted four-wheel discs (vented front) / with 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution.

Tires:????????????Hankook Ventus S1 Noble P225/40 R18 mounted on alternating 5-?Y?-silver spoke with double black ?spoke separators.

Wheelbase:??????????? ???????106.3??????????? inches

Length Overall:??????????? ??179.9??????????? inches

Width:??????????? ??????????? 70.9??????????? inches

Height:??????????? ???????????56.5??????????? inches

Curb Weight:??????????? ?????3,042 – 3,064 lbs.

Turning Circle:??????????? ??34.78??????????? ft.

Fuel Capacity:??????????? ????14.0 ??????????? gallons

EPA Mileage Estimates:??????????22 ??????????? mpg city / 30- mpg highway

Drag Coefficient:??????????? 0.31

0 – 60 mph:??????????? ???????Not tested.

Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.