ENGINE, HORSEPOWER
The Elantra GT I tested offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; which boasted 161 horsepower, and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. Those who love to shift gears will be glad to hear that a manual transmission is standard, but you can also choose a 6-speed automatic transmission.
While I won’t exactly call it a hot rod, I will say the time I spent in the Elantra GT was quite enjoyable. It’s not so much a pure power vehicle, it’s more in the details and how the overall ride feels and responds to you. I enjoyed my experience with the automatic transmission, and by many accounts the experience with the manual is even more enjoyable.
Quiet is a word I would apply to the ride of the Elantra GT for the most part, though at times the road noise does seep through.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
On the tech side of things, the infotainment system was set up in a very user-friendly way and I instantly knew how to use it. It featured an 8-inch Display Audio AM/FM/HD setup with 6 speakers; and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You get a USB port, an auxiliary input jack, steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls, and Bluetooth connection for phone calls and streaming.
Regarding the Elantra GT’s safety features, it lacks the standard bells and whistles of more expensive vehicles, but you still get: Electronic Stability Control with traction control, Anti-lock brakes, Hill Assist control, and front, side and knee airbags
Other options on the Elantra GT, if you want to upgrade, include: heated front seats, navigation, premium audio system, plus a safety package including adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking and more.
MPG
Official numbers on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT I tested were 24 city/32 highway/27 combined, and I was able to get those numbers or better in real-world testing. Some of the less powerful versions of the Elantra go much higher -- with the Elantra Eco being the champ at 32 city/40 highway.
The bad news is that compared to its competitors in the compact hatchback segment from Chevy, Toyota and Honda (among others), the fuel mileage numbers on the Elantra GT are low.
PRICE
My test vehicle (a 2018 Elantra GT with auto transmission) had a final pricetag of $21,260; If you don’t need the GT, a base Elantra sedan starts just south of $17K, but with incentives can dip down below $14K..
You’ll have much less cargo space if you go this route, but In today’s world of higher and higher vehicle prices, finding a vehicle at that price is a rare treat, and should help sales of the overall Elantra brand..
BOTTOM LINE
With its European influence and strong overall design plus responsive ride, there’s a lot of good to discover in the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT. For those seeking a smaller vehicle, this is definitely one to consider.
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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.
