Coupe version adds style to Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra sedan has been well received in Canadian circles because of its design and drive, so it really should come as no surprise that the Coupe version of the Elantra is being met with equal praise.

Introduced for the 2013 model year, the Coupe takes the model in a whole new, and even more stylish, direction.

There are three available trims of the Elantra Coupe — the GLS Manual, GLS Auto and SE Auto. The “base” trim, if you can even call it that, has a starting price of $19,949. Opting for the automatic transmission brings the price to $21,149. The top trip – our test subject — is the SE Auto, with a starting price of $25,199.

This comes fully stacked with plenty of features, including cruise control, heated front seats, Bluetooth, telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone automatic temperature control, alloy pedals, push-button start, a rearview camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and a power sunroof.

DESIGN

From front to back, and inside and out, I really like the Elantra Coupe’s styling.

The glossy black insert into the front grille, and the placement and shape of the fog lights, give the Coupe a noticeable presence up front.

The vehicle’s silhouette is nicely sculpted, with an accent line rising along the beltline, giving it a sporty stance. There are also a nice set of arches over the rear wheels, making it look almost like a cat poised to leap at its prey.

The SE model’s standard 17-inch alloy wheels are really nice, with a dual-colour scheme on a five-spoke design. It looks sharp, and reminds me of the wheels I really liked on the Veloster. The rear end is capped by a lip spoiler on the trunk lid and dual chrome exhaust tips.

On the inside, the Elantra Coupe’s styling also doesn’t disappoint.

With comfortable leather seats in the SE, as well as a large LCD screen for the navigation system and other functions atop the centre stack, it’s a compact yet well-designed cabin.

Radio controls are right below the screen, and those are easy to operate and understand.

If anyone was to have an issue with the layout, it would be with the many buttons that control the climate system in the lower portion of the centre stack.

PERFORMANCE

Under the hood of the Coupe is the same engine as you get with the Sedan or GT five-door models. It is a very competent 1.8-litre four-cylinder DOHC engine that delivers 148 horsepower and 131 foot-pounds of torque.

The standard transmission on the model is a six-speed manual but, unfortunately, it is not available on the SE trim. My test vehicle comes only with the six-speed automatic transmission, which isn’t a bad setup by any means.

Fuel efficiency for the Elantra is estimated at 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.3 L/100 km on the highway. My testing revealed an actual figure of 9.6 L/100 km in mostly highway driving.

With systems like electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability management and electronic stability control with traction control, it’s hard to get the Elantra to step out of line.

DRIVING/ UTILITY

The Coupe is quiet and comfortable, and the car has all the important features.

Blind spots out of the two-door Elantra are minimal, which is not surprising because of the rearward placement of the B pillars. They’re also svelte so they minimally obstruct vision out of the sides.

Furthermore, access to the back seat of the Elantra is pretty effortless. The driver’s seat folds forward enough, which allowed my 5-foot-11 frame to slide into the rear with ease. And once back there, there is a surprising amount of legroom behind the driver’s seat — which was positioned fairly far back to accommodate my position behind the wheel.

In the trunk, you have a fairly spacious 14.8 cubic feet of room.

Hyundai says they believe the Elantra Coupe can take on one of Canada’s bestselling cars, the Honda Civic. I guess time will tell if they are right.