2017/2018 Hyundai Elantra SE Review

Redesigned for 2017, the Elantra boasts a more wide and expressive stance sure to catch an eye or two. Look closely, and you'll see quite a bit of "Genesis" styling influence, as well.

One of the most competitive segments out there is the compact car segment. Traditionally, sales have been dominated by the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. However, with fresh contenders such as the 2017 Hyundai Elantra now on the road, the Corolla and Civic’s paths to tops in the segment may have just become more challenging. What’s new in the 2017 Elantra? Let’s find out this week on Adam’s Autos!

Enlightened Elantra

The 1990-1995 Elantra vs. the 2006-2010 Elantra

Originally introduced in 1990, the Elantra has outlived many of the cars it was initially benchmarked to compete against, such as the Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon. In its present-day form, Hyundai’s compact offering is now larger than previous offerings and also more comfort, sport, and luxury oriented than previous iterations as well. I recall sitting in a 2007-2010 body style Elantra at the North American International Auto show one year, and I was impressed with its solid feeling. Sitting in the 2017 model more or less left me with the same positive impression, although everyone’s experience will of course vary based on tastes. Luckily, there’s an Elantra for almost every buyer this time around.

The Value Equation

An improvement over the outgoing model in both interior and exterior styling, I had a chance to test drive a black 2017 Elantra SE a few months back. My drive took place at Garber Nissan Hyundai in Saginaw, Michigan and I was assisted by one of my former youth group colleagues. Shout out to everyone at the dealer who helped out! Be sure to visit www.garbernissanhyundai.com to view their latest inventory.

Hyundai’s Elantra SE is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque paired to an optional six-speed automatic transmission (standard on most other trim levels). A six-speed manual is standard on the SE and Elantra Sport (that’s another topic all together). Regardless of trim, value is always a major selling of the Elantra, and that’s where it’s always had a “one-up” on its competition. Heck, there’s even a “Value Edition” trim of the 2017 Elantra that rolls in options like a power sunroof, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, seven-inch touch screen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and much more. All for $20,250 - not bad!!! Base SE trim models start at just under $18,000, and adding the automatic transmission adds $1,000 to that price.

Hit the Road

I was very impressed with the ease of use of the entire dashboard in the Elantra! All of the gauges and major controls were simple to use and understand.

Once inside the 2017 Elantra, you’ll notice that the interior is less "dramatic" than that of the outgoing generation model, but more functional. Buttons on the dash are laid out in a logical manner and easy to reach, stock speakers are loud enough, the gauges are illuminated clearly, I had no issues adjusting my seat to get comfortable, the standard 7-inch touch screen works well, and seat comfort was above average up front. I especially liked having the heated seats option. I’ve personally wanted a car with that feature for some time now (especially for those Michigan winters). Rear seat room and comfort was good too, although as with any smaller car, if the front seats are pushed extremely far back, the tallest of passengers may feel a little squished. Heated rear seats are available on the Limited trim via adding a Tech Package for $2,500, quite a unique luxury feature in this class. Alright, I see you Elantra.

As with any car, there may be a few minor things that could deter some buyers. One such thing is interior ambience. While I mentioned that the Elantra’s interior is certainly more functional than in prior models, I noticed that there’s quite a bit of hard touch material throughout the cabin. Granted, this isn’t particularly out of the ordinary for small, moderately priced cars (*cough* CHEVY CRUZE *cough*), so no major surprise. Once in motion, driving dynamics were generally swell, I thought that ride quality was commendably smooth (except when driving over the most massive bumps) and wind noise well controlled. Although at high RPMs, the 2.0-liter engine intrudes slightly and handling was average, though totally stable enough for the everyday driver. 0-60 was in the 9-second range, on par with most of the Elantra’s main competition.

Drive modes can alter the way a vehicle consumes fuel and performs.

Another important factor of any drive is always what’s under the hood. Elantra’s engine power was also fine for everyday driving, although some sportier cars (including Elantra’s own Sport model) may offer more “punch” for enthusiasts. Adjustable drive modes were available (Sport, Eco, and Normal), however, I wasn’t able to discern any major difference between the modes. For most of my drive, I left the car in “Sport Mode.” For comparison sake, my mother’s 2013 Buick Regal has a similar adjustable drive mode system (Tour, Sport, and Normal), and I can’t tell any perceivable difference in that system’s settings either… Traditionally, drive mode systems will alter transmission shift points, throttle response, and some even suspension tuning in an effort to liven up (or dial back) the drive experience to balance fuel consumption or increase ride comfort.

More Beneath the Surface

Interior storage was good in the Elantra as well. I had no problem finding different nooks for my various electronics and small items I had with me. Trunk space was road trip friendly, too.

In terms of other features and accommodations, the Elantra continues to hit above its class. Trunk space is ample given the car’s size, and my tester had the new “smart trunk” access feature, where if you stand behind the car for three seconds with the smart-key in your possession, the trunk will open. Interior storage was decent as well. I found both the glove box and center console to be sized sufficiently enough for small and medium item storage. Door cubbies and a passenger seat back map pocket further help with interior storage space. Additional creature comforts and safety features such as push-button start, smart-key access, and blind-spot monitoring on my tester added to the feeling that you’re driving a fully loaded vehicle for a far more logical price. Really, all that was missing was a sunroof (it’s reserved for higher trims)! When all of this is coupled with Hyundai’s 10-year/100-000 mile warranty, the Elantra becomes a strong compact segment contender.

In Summary

Overall, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra represents a strong value within its segment, across all of its trims. While most versions lean more towards the comfort and efficient end of the driving spectrum, Elantra’s Sport model adds some spice that is largely missing from most other compact cars. Couple the Sport’s 1.6-liter 201 horsepower turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and multi-link sport-tuned independent rear suspension with the strengths already held by lower-level Elantras, and you have a pretty nice ride for under $30,000.

An abundance of tech features, such as blind-spot monitoring
and LED running lights, really
allow even the Elantra SE to stand out in a crowded lot.

Of course, the model that I drove was the base SE, but it still was no slouch in almost any regard. The inclusion of high-end features such as blind-spot monitoring, power driver’s seat, and push-button start make the car feel more expensive than it actually is. Ride quality and styling also both aid in this feeling, although it’ll be interesting to see if interior materials receive an upgrade when it comes time for the Elantra to receive a mid-life refresh. Especially seeing the attention to detail given to Hyundai’s new Genesis cars. Elantra already has a decent advantage over its competition in other arenas, and it’s essentially on par with interior quality, too.

Like I mentioned, SE models are priced reasonably and start at $17,150 (manual), add $1,000 for a 6-speed automatic transmission. Elantra Value Editions add a slew of equipment and start at $20,250; Eco models start at $20,650. BUT NOTE: Eco models add a 1.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder that’s down on horsepower from the 2.0, but up on torque. You also get the 7-speed dual clutch standard, but lose some equipment on the Elantra Eco vs. the Value Elantra, such as the power driver’s seat. The Elantra Sport starts at $21,650 (manual), add $1,100 for the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission version. The Limited model starts at $22,350 and reverts back to using the standard 2.0-liter engine coupled with the 6-speed automatic. For 2018, expect Hyundai to add a sporty Elantra GT model to the mix for the hatchback model, using elements from the sedan’s Sport model. I get the feeling that these two models are the start of a great performance line for Hyundai.

Do you like the value that’s found in the Elantra line up? What’s important to you in this class of car? Hyundai’s modern compact offering could honestly classify as an older midsize entry in some instances, but the advantage the Elantra has over some larger cars lies in the diversity of its lineup. I’m positive we’ll see the Elantra evolve even further as time continues to pass.

That wraps it up for this review! And in case I didn’t say the word “Elantra” enough for you in this review, here’s one more for the road: Elantra. Until next review, ROLL ON!

Grading (SE 2.0 Automatic Only)

• Engine Power/Economy: B- (6.5 points)
• Quietness: B (7.5 points)
• Interior Quality/Comfort: B (7.5 points)
• Driving Dynamics: B (7.5 points)
• Cargo Capacity: A- (9.5 points)
• Overall: 38.5/50

Other Specs:

• Engines Available: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (147 HP), 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (128 HP), 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (201 HP)
• Transmissions: 6-speed manual (standard on SE & Sport trims only), 6-speed automatic (optional on SE, standard on Value & Limited trims), 7-speed Dual Clutch (standard on Eco, optional on Sport)
• Fuel Economy Ratings: 26 city/36 highway/29 combined (SE 2.0 manual), 28 city/37 highway/32 combined (SE 2.0 automatic w/optional packages; Value Edition; Limited), 32 city/40 highway/35 combined (Eco 1.4 turbo), 22 city/30 highway/25 combined (Sport 6-speed manual), 26 city/33 highway/29 combined (Sport 7-speed Dual Clutch); Fuel Tank Size – 14 Gallons
• Trim Levels: SE, Value Edition, Eco, Sport, Limited
• Model Pricing: $17,150 (SE manual) - $22,350 (Limited)
• *Price as Tested*: $21,360
• Available/Standard Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Brake Assist, Stability Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward-Collision Warning, Rear-View Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Various Airbags (Front, Side, Curtain, Driver’s Knees), High Beam Assist, Child Locks, 911 Connect (Blue Link)

Crash Test Results: 2017 Top Safety Pick +

• IIHS Offset: Good
• IIHS Small Overlap: Good
• IIHS Side: Good
• IIHS Roof Strength: Good
• Head Restraints & Seats: Good
• Headlights: Good

Star Ratings: Frontal Driver- 4 Stars  Frontal Passenger- 4 Stars  Front Side- 5 Stars  Rear Side Crash- 4 Stars (Injury Concern!)  Rollover- 4 Stars; Overall Safety Rating- 4 Stars

Key Competitors: All vehicles in the compact car segment; Includes the Chevrolet Cruze & Cruze Hatchback, Dodge Dart, Ford Focus & Focus Hatchback, Honda Civic & Civic Hatchback, KIA Forte & Forte5, Mazda 3 & Mazda 3 Hatchback, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Corolla iM, & Volkswagen Jetta

On the Adam’s Autos “Should You Buy It?” scale of “Drool, Cool, Meh, or BLEH”: The Elantra is “Cool”, so consider leasing or buying it.

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