FAMILY COMPACT
POWER IS THE VERSATILE HYUNDAI ELANTRA’S ONLY WEAKNESS.
Comfort is key in any vehicle Linda Heimlich might consider buying. And in the allnew 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited she tested for a week, the critical comfort quotient clearly met her expectations.
“Getting into the driver’s seat proved to be an instant fit,” the Calgary driver said. “The eight-way power-adjustable seat was very comfortable. And it also had adjustable lumbar control and I thought that was exceptional. The interior was finished in a fantastic creamy beige leather.”
Heimlich was disappointed to learn her passenger wasn’t also treated to a power- adjustable seat; instead, the co- pilot had a six- way manually adjustable chair. If having a poweradjustable passenger seat is a deal- breaker, not even the top- of- the line Ultimate comes so equipped.
Available in six trims, from the $ 15,999 base L to the fully outfitted Ultimate, Hyundai’s Elantra is now in its sixth generation. The automaker launched its bestselling nameplate in 1990, and the car has transformed from looking like a bland econobox to a well- styled sedan.
“I have to say the overall appearance of the Elantra was very classy, and I’d go so far as to say it had a rich look to it,” Heimlich said. “The deep red paint had a great shine and it added to the overall impression of the car. The way the headlights were set up and the design of the grille gave the Elantra a solid look, too.”
Finished in Fiery Red, Heimlich’s Limited model sported 17-inch alloy wheels. The higher- level GLS, Limited and Ultimate model Elantras come equipped with disc brakes at all four corners, while the lower-level L, LE and GL have drum brakes out back.
The underlying architecture of the new Elantra is one of the most important improvements in the vehicle’s evolution. The chassis has been reinforced with 53 per cent advanced highstrength steel, up from 21 per cent in the previous-generation Elantra.
“It was a great ride and the Elantra felt very stable in all conditions,” Heimlich said. “I took some gravel back roads out of the city, and the car felt great, very easy to control and very solid.”
Heimlich learned to drive in Georgia, using the family’s standard- shift Datsun 510 sedan. Her first car was a Fiat 850, and she’s owned a little bit of everything since then, including a Mazda Miata and a Ford Windstar. She currently maintains a 2012 Audi A4 and a 2015 Nissan Micra. Besides comfort being a top vehicle- buying consideration, she also cites handling and fuel economy as important aspects.
Although Heimlich appreciates good gas mileage, if she had a complaint about the Elantra it would be the lack of top- end power when attempting to pass at speed.
“The two- litre four- cylinder engine was adequate most of the time, and it handled city and highway driving really well,” she said. “But, I think it felt a little underpowered when at speed and you wanted just that little extra burst to pass another car.
“It was very responsive in city traffic and it was comfortable running along at 110 kilometres an hour on the highway, but asking for extra power when getting out and passing — it just didn’t have it.”
That didn’t change when Heimlich experimented with the three drive modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. In Sport the handling tightened up and she enjoyed the increased tautness, but the engine still didn’t offer enough grunt for her liking.
The six- speed automatic transmission worked without issue, she said, and there were no complaints about the braking. Heimlich found them easy to modulate and well up to the task of stopping the Elantra, even in a panic situation.
“They were very responsive and quick to slow the car down,” she said.
Heimlich found shoulder checking an easy task and when she engaged the blind- spot monitoring system and found it worked very well.
Plenty of interior storage spaces and well- laid- out holders for cups and water bottles contributed to the overall utility of the Elantra. Trunk space was generous, with ample room for groceries or luggage.
“I personally think the Elantra would be a great family car,” Heimlich said as she handed back the keys. “There’s lots of room for four passengers, and it’s also nice enough for someone to use it as a work vehicle.
“You could easily drive it to a meeting or pick up a client and not feel embarrassed to have them in your car.”
THE CAR FELT GREAT, VERY EASY TO CONTROL AND VERY SOLID.