2017 Hyundai Elantra: 8 ways better

AT THE back, Genesis-like taillights, a bottom spoiler and rear deck

THE SIXTH-GENERATION Hyundai Elantra made its stateside debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2015 as the 2017 model, and here in Manila at the media appreciation dinner late last year of Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., the exclusive Philippine importer and distributor of Hyundai Motor products.

As the owner-driver of a 2012 model year 1.8-liter automatic transmission (A/T) Hyundai Elantra GLS, I wondered how a new iteration of Hyundai’s award-winning compact sedan (2012 Car of the Year in North America, Canada, South Africa and the Philippines) could be improved.

In eight ways, I learned to my pleasant surprise, as soon as I took the wheel of a 2017 2.0-L A/T Elantra GLS and began driving it.

Let me count the ways.

First, the 2017 Elantra feels more solid, more stable and more planted, mainly due to the 30 percent stiffer torsion resulting from greater use of advanced high-strength steel.

Second, the cabin is quieter with road, wind and engine noise kept distant by new sound deadening material in the wheel wells, with the front suspension mounted to a subframe for isolation, smaller firewall holes, denser carpet foam and thicker windshield and side glass.

Third, the interior is more spacious. An inch longer and almost an inch wider, the latest Elantra offers more shoulder room up front. Legroom in the rear has improved by 2 inches.

WITH the rear seatbacks folded, trunk volume expands from the basic 14 cubic feet.

It has more interior space than an Audi A4, enough for it to be classified as a midsize car like its rivals, the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

Fourth, the seatbacks of the rear seat split 60/40 and are easily folded forward to expand trunk volume, which is standard at 14 cubic feet.

Fifth, ride and handling have been improved by the reconfigured rear beam axle, which now has a longer and more vertical shock absorber for better impact damping.

The suspension system remains to be MacPherson struts up front and twist beam axle at the rear, but with the vertically mounted rear dampers replacing the tipped-back arrangement.

Sixth, in the GLS variant, the new Nu 2.0-L, 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine generates max power (147 horsepower) and torque (132 pound-feet) lower in the rev range, which means that it need not work quite as hard as the current 1.8-L engine to propel the Elantra. The torque band is acceptably broad.

THERE are 2 inches more legroom in the rear seat, which splits 60/40 and folds forward.

Although there are no paddle shifters, and you have to work the gearshift lever to enter the manual mode, the computer does well enough in delivering the right ratios as needed.

Seventh, high-tech features and premium touches have been added to enhance safety, comfort and convenience, such as electric folding outside rearview mirrors, hands-free smart trunk release, LED door handle approach lighting, power-adjusted driver’s seat with memory, smart key with push button start/stop, rear parking camera with dynamic guidelines, automatic air-con temperature control with ionizer and rear vents, rain sensor, and auto light control.

The steering wheel is manually tilt and telescopic with audio controls and Bluetooth, while the audio system has a 5-inch monitor, AM/FM radio, CD, USB and AUX, and six speakers in the GLS.

The instrument cluster has a 3.5-inch LCD and Rheostat.

Eighth, the exterior has been totally redesigned with less curves, less pronounced creases along the body side, less radically-angled headlights and windshield, and less sculpted lower bodywork to improve aerodynamics and achieve a slippery 0.27 coefficient of drag.

THE TOTALLY redesigned 2017 Elantra sports a big new, aggressive hexagonal grille.

This translates into increased fuel efficiency and better handling.

It’s less eye-catching, but with its big maw of a grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and new projector-type headlights, the 2017 Elantra looks sharper and more aggressive.

Summing up, the new Elantra is quieter, more comfortable, more refined and more solid with a price tag ranging from P878,000 for the 1.6-L GL six-speed manual transmission to P1.128 million for the 2.0-L GLS six-speed A/T.

THE TOP-END GLS variant is powered by a new 2.0-liter engine.

These are competitive prices for the compact sedan segment.

On the other hand, while the Nu 2.0-L engine of the GL A/T Limited (P1.108 million) and the GLS has 2 hp and 2 lb-ft of torque more than the current 1.8 drivetrain, these are almost the same power ratings, same six-speed A/T and weight.

THE COCKPIT’S horizontal layout is conveniently driver-centric.

Ergo, the 2017 Elantra seems no quicker than the old model.

Nevertheless, few competitors can compare with the record of reliability and quality that the Elantra has built, more so since its fifth iteration won four Car of the Year awards around the world.