Test drive | Hyundai Elantra: honest hard worker

The Hyundai Elantra ended 2023 in third place on the list of best-selling cars in the country behind the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. Despite this good performance, the 20,459 units sold of the compact reflect a downward trend which affects its entire species. Ten years earlier, 54,760 Elantras found buyers in Canada. At the end of a conclusive week of testing, we can rule that this fate is not deserved.

Design

Hyundai's design department is without a doubt one of the most proactive in the industry, a strategy that inevitably puts the cohesion between its works at risk. The lightly tweaked 2024 Elantra symbolizes this aversion to the status quo of the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta by concentrating an extraordinary amount of pattern and texture on its thin front end tucked under the hood line. The side beltline also adopts oblique features, just like the rear whose long line of diodes describes a large “H”, identity obliges. Note the large trunk opening, especially on the width, which ensures accessibility to its 402 L, barely 41 L less than the intermediate Sonata.

On board

The example tested in the mid-range Preferred version cultivated a certain austerity in the omnipresence of black. At the same time, hard plastics are too present, which places the car behind the Honda Civic and Mazda3, which are more sensitive to the quality of materials. However, we cannot dispute the quality of the ergonomics of the whole, the controls being essentially physical and placed at an angle towards the driver to promote their readability. We also appreciate the positioning of the door handles, rather forward and low to avoid having to move the arm back when leaving the passenger compartment. Speaking of space itself, this Elantra takes advantage of its 4.7 m long in a brilliant way by making itself welcoming in all places. Only the rear headroom could be improved to better accommodate taller passengers.

Under the hood

The mechanical quartet remains unchanged for 2024, remaining composed of two-four 2L cylinders, one naturally aspirated, the other turbocharged, as well as 1.6L hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinders. Most liveries get the 2L engine as standard, producing 147 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque without the benefit of direct injection, a technical delay which nevertheless has the advantage of limiting fouling. Equipped only with a CVT box, this mill presents a progressive power curve and comes to life beyond 4000 rpm, a common behavior for these small, non-supercharged displacements. The transmission also ensures good frugality which is quantified at around 6.5 L/100 km. The sound intensity is also well contained, far from the throaty song of certain four-cylinder CVT gearboxes which perforate the eardrums.

Behind the wheel

Excluding the expressive N variant which is among the best sports compacts, the Elantra has always maintained a friendly positioning in its temperament to satisfy a wide audience. This generation retains this humility. Its suspension remains rather relaxed, but finds a very pleasant balance to ensure comfort and predictability. The use of a rigid axle does not create too much reciprocity of movement between the rear wheels and the compact generally seems agile and light on its feet. The steering plays a central role in this homogeneity with a well-balanced firmness and surprising precision for a sedan without sporting aspirations, but does not offer great feedback when cornering. The timidity of the performance could, however, put off driving enthusiasts who will find the Japanese rivals prepared by Honda and Mazda more inspiring.

Embedded technologies

The Elantra is overall well equipped with technology. The optional 10.25-inch infotainment system ($1,950 option package) is certainly worth the outlay. Focusing on its simplicity and speed of execution, it has a touch screen well positioned to avoid obstructing frontal visibility. It forms a whole with the digital instrumentation, which is also very pleasant to consult thanks to its readability and its configurable appearance. The positioning of the cell phone compartment in front of the large gear lever, which integrates wireless charging in certain versions, is not optimal. Hyundai also offers the possibility of sharing a digital key, thus allowing remote access to your vehicle to three users, a function compatible with iPhone and Android.

The verdict

Because of its very convincing performance, the Hyundai Elantra reminds us that you don't necessarily have to pay a lot of money to benefit from a well-equipped and versatile vehicle. The compact sedan with a starting price of $22,000 (without related costs) meets many criteria with great honesty. Its interior is very spacious and its mechanics, although not very exciting, do an excellent job in terms of efficiency. It's not the most accomplished choice in the segment, but its accessibility and overall qualities make it a very competitive product that should be considered in opposition to many less complete and more thirsty subcompact SUVs. A model that deserves to be better known.