Somehow, the most practical cars on the road wind up with sporty names
The world is awash with small utility wagons, but if that’s more car than you want or need, the 2018 Elantra GT is a morethan-viable alternative.
It’s curious that automakers apply the GT (Gran Tursimo) and Sport badges to models that are better suited for carrying larger amounts of groceries and luggage than their sedan counterparts. But for whatever reason, the automotive world has evolved to a point where some of the sportiest small-car offerings you can buy come with a handy rear door for those times when cargo capacity is at least as important as driving dynamics. Just look at the new Honda Civic Type R or the Ford Focus ST and RS. Both are hatchbacks.
The previous 2017 Elantra GT was a curvy piece of work, with bulbous front fenders and a grinning grille. Hyundai has gone in a different direction with the 2018 redesign. The lines are clean and straightforward; they’re the polar opposite of the outgoing and overly trendy GT. The styling alterations actually make sense considering that the car was originally created for the European market where it’s called the i30.
The interior also seems very much Euro-inspired. The large, round gauges and tablet-style touch-screen mimic what you’ll find in vehicles such as, among others, the Audi A3, minus the flat-bottom steering wheel. What’s notable here is the overall attention to detail throughout the cabin that rivals more expensive vehicles.
Despite being a bit shorter than the completely unrelated Elantra sedan, the GT’s interior is a paragon of efficiency and provides at least as much, if not greater cargo and passenger space than a number of prime competitors. The fact that the rear seats don’t fold completely flat is only mildly disconcerting.
There are no concerns over the GT’s engine lineup, however. The primary powerplant is a 2.0-litre fourcylinder that puts out 162 horsepower and 150 poundfeet of torque. That’s more punch than the Elantra sedan’s 2.0 that makes a more modest 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet.
For hot-hatchback lovers, specifying the GT Sport provides a turbocharged 1.6litre four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 195 poundfeet of torque (the same turbo powerplant is also available in the Elantra Sport sedan). That’s still shy of the VW Golf GTI or Ford Focus ST that generate 210 and 252 horsepower, respectively, but for the Elantra it’s at least a step in the right direction.
Both engines can be matched to six-speed manual transmissions while a sixspeed automatic is optional with the 2.0. The GT Sport uses an extra-cost seven-speed gearbox with steering-wheelmounted paddle shifters. It’s also your pick for maximum fuel efficiency, with a rating of 9.8 l/100 km in the city, 7.3 on the highway and 8.7 combined.
The Elantra GT rings in at a starting price of $22,300, with destination fees, which includes an eight-inch touchscreen, heated side mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The GLS adds a panoramic sunroof and dual-zone climate control, while, the turbo Sport comes with leather seat covers and 18-inch alloys.
The Sport also has its own independent rear suspension in place of the somewhat more rudimentary torsion-beam rear axle that’s installed in the base GT.
The top-end Sport Ultimate comes standard with blind spot detection (which alerts you when traffic is overtaking) and rear cross-traffic alert (that warns of unseen vehicles approaching when reversing). Dynamic safety tech such as forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist are also included.
You can also take the near full-on luxury route by ponying up for a navigation system, power driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, premium Infinitibrand audio system and a wireless charging pad for your non-iPhone smart phone.
Based solely on looks and spaciousness, the Elantra GT is a winner. Dial in the Sport’s turbo engine and a trick transmission and let the fun driving times begin . . . with a load of groceries in the back for good measure.
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Four-door, frontwheel-drive compact hatchback
2.0-litre DOHC I-4 (162); 1.6-litre DOHC I-4, turbocharged (201)
Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic; seven-speed automated manual
Tall wagons have become a red-hot trend, but it appears that hatchbacks are also gaining popularity as buyers opt for greater usefulness in their choice of vehicles.
• What you should know: Type: Engines (hp): Transmissions: Market position: Points:
New design shows that clean, uncluttered shapes result in more attractive automobiles.
• Interior design and content are typical of higher-end vehicles.
• Both base and optional engines will get the job done, but the turbo is what makes the GT a true GT.
• When will the full range of available active safety technology migrate to the standard equipment list?
Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert (std.); active cruise control (opt.); emergency braking with pedestrian detection (opt); lane-keep assist (opt.)
L/100 km (city/hwy) 9.8/7.3 (7AT); Base price (incl. destination) $22,300
Active safety: