WASHINGTON — It wasn’t long ago that a compact car was just basic transportation — no extra space and no frills. But lately, as compact cars are growing in size, manufacturers are also offering features that were once only available on larger more expensive cars. And this is helping the compact draw in new buyers.
The Hyundai Elantra is one of those compacts that really isn’t as compact inside — there is a good deal of room in there. For the new 2017 model, the interior is transformed. It looks much like the larger Sonata inside — with a new more open, less cluttered dash and a large, optional eight-inch NAV screen.
The materials are a step up, with more soft touch than on the previous Elantra. My test ride had the optional $2,900 tech package, which adds luxury features such as the larger NAV touch screen and the leather, heated seats for both the front and back seat passengers and a power sunroof. I still hit the volume or other radio controls on the steering wheel when backing up and turning. But there is improved rear-seat legroom with the added space and ample room in the trunk.
The 2017 Elantra has a fresh look outside, as well with the front-end styling from the larger Sonata with the unique grill. With the Limited trim level and all the options, you get HID headlights and distinctive looking LED daytime running lights that are hard to miss when you see them on the road.
There are also larger 17-inch alloy wheels, which look pretty good and are much better than the smaller wheels on lower trim-level cars. The side profile has a more coupe-like profile than most compact sedans. The rear-end styling is more interesting than most — it looks like it has a rear spoiler. The taillights fill out a good portion of the rear.
Driving the Elantra Limited is a quiet affair, as most of the noise is kept in check most of the time. Bumps are dealt with nicely and don’t impact the interior very much. It doesn’t like to carve back roads, but it’s a nice commuter car that does well cruising on the highway.
The only engine for the Limited is a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine that is a bit rough sounding at higher RPMs. The power is just adequate, and doesn’t seem like its 147 hp.
I recently drove the ECO model, and I liked the smoother, smaller turbo engine more than the one in this car. The six-speed automatic is a smooth operator, and it looks for the higher gear for fuel economy.
Speaking of fuel economy, it does better than before. I managed 31 mpg for the week, not far from the 32 mpg it says on the sticker. There is a bunch of tech on the $27,710 Elantra Limited compact sedan, such as smart cruise control, which lets you set the speed but also keeps the car a safe distance behind others. There is even lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and it all works very well.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited is a large compact sedan with ample space and now offers the features and technology of a larger, more expensive car. But it’s wrapped in a smaller package that’s easy to maneuver in the city and doesn’t use a lot of gas. Plus there is long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Hyundai has raised the bar in the compact sedan class.
Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
