The interior design of the Elantra SEL is modest, but the vehicle starts at well under $20K … so it's appropriate. Higher trim levels will get you a more upscale interior feel, for a price of course.
Refreshingly, the back seat is somewhat comfortable for the segment, even for tall people. Often when I get into the rear seats in a compact I feel like a sardine; but that’s not the case here.
The exterior is attractive for the segment, but won’t necessarily wow you. It’s not that kind of vehicle: The Elantra sells itself more on performance, strong mpg and an economic price.
I did like the design on the 16-inch alloy wheels included with the Elantra SEL.
ENGINE, HORSEPOWER
The Elantra SEL, a front-wheel drive vehicle, features a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine; along with a 6-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is offered on some Elantra trim levels (the SE base trim, and the Sport trim). The SEL features 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque; With GT hatchback you’ll get 161 hp, 150 lb.-ft.; and the Sport version is offered with a 1.6-liter turbo 4 and 201 hp; 195 lb.-ft.
For the numbers it offers, I found the Elantra SEL to be a fast little ride. You get moving pretty fast and it’s responsive, though the engine a bit whiny/noisy as it labors to get moving.It wasn’t to the point of annoyance though. Some road noise does seep into the vehicle, so don’t expect a cocoon of silence like you get with more insulated vehicles.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The infotainment system in the Elantra SEL was user-friendly, and not difficult to figure out, and it responded well to voice commands for music and phone.
My test sedan featured a 7-inch screen, AM/FM/HD radio, Satellite radio (90-day trial), and 6 speakers. It was also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for phone mirroring.
Bluetooth connection for hands-free calling and music streaming was included.
Rearview camera, rear-cross traffic alert and lane-change assist come standard on SEL trim and above (only the base Elantra SE model doesn’t get these). Tire pressure monitoring system is included in all Elantra vehicles.
All other major safety systems only come on the top Limited trim, including: Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection; Lane Departure Warning; Lane Keep Assist; and Smart Cruise Control.
Included on all Elantra vehicles is: Electronic Stability Control with traction control, Anti-lock brakes, Hill Assist control, and front, side and knee airbags. A rearview camera is also included, but navigation is optional. Last but not least, the Elantra gets excellent government safety ratings (all four or five stars), so you’re not concerned about safety even though it’s a smaller vehicle.
MPG
I averaged 32.2 mpg in my time driving the Elantra SEL. Official numbers are 28 city/37 highway/32 combined, so I was right on target.
These are impressive numbers for the segment, though they are a tad bit behind some rivals (including the Honda Civic and Ford Focus).
The best fuel mileage you can get in the Elantra lineup is the Eco version, which offers 32 city/40 highway.
PRICE
The SEL model I tested was just under $20K, but the base price is closer to $16K. The SE base model of the Elantra goes as low as the mid-$14K range, but you’re giving up a lot of the nicer features that the SEL and higher trim levels will offer you.
Warranties offered on the Elantra include: 5-year/60K New Vehicle warranty; 10-year/100K Powertrain warranty; plus 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance
BOTTOM LINE
All in all, the experience in the Elantra is a positive one among compact sedans; It’s affordable, good on gas, and can go fast when you need it to move. Another big asset it has it its versatility, as you can find an option that fits you no matter whether you’re looking for hatchback cargo space, sportiness, eco-friendliness or a standard sedan.
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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.
