Hyundai Elantra

The interior of Elantra features a European feel. The flowing-themed dashboard complements the sharp all-black cabin that also gives it a very luxurious ambiance. 

It comes with a 5-inch monitor with FM/AM Radio and CD player with USB/AUX ports and Bluetooth compatibility. These are all connected to 4 - 6 speakers, depending on the trim. The top-spec level has automatic temperature control with ionizer and rear vents while the other two trims have manual air conditioning. As for the instrument cluster, it features the conventional model with a 3.5-inch LCD Rheostat.

Among other amazing features of Elantra are the leather upholstery, electrically powered driver’s seat, keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, reverse camera, 60-40 rear split-folding seats, smart trunk opening, and tire pressure monitoring system. There are also power outlets, power windows, power door locks, and power side-view mirrors installed for added convenience and security.

One downside of the Elantra is that its legroom in the rear space can be quite limited. Although the headroom is good enough, thanks to its coupe-like sloping lo roof design.

With its fluidic and aerodynamic design, you might mistake this car for a premium one. The hexagonal grille is not new to Elantra fans but Hyundai is making it better on every glow up. This time, the chrome slats became a bit curvier and larger while the robot’s eyebrow-shaped headlamp units with projector bulb and daytime running LEDs were now inbuilt to maximize the sporty appeal of the car.

Elantra also boasts a new dynamic wheel arch design and refined proportions to further enhance your driving and handling.

Going through the other aspects of the car, you may notice that Elantra is less curvy in terms of body shape but is sharper to impose that unique and robust outlook. The rear lighting system includes a tweaked boot lid and sleeker LED tail lamps.

When it comes to handling, Elantra can be quite impressive as well. Since it is equipped with MacPherson struts for the front suspension and tubular beam for the rear, it is relatively tuned in a stiffer manner. It comes with a manual tilt steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls that were improved to make the steering feel livelier at a high-speed. 

In addition, Hyundai Elantra is composed of more than 53% of advanced high strength steel to enhance the chassis rigidity for better handling, durability, and performance.

This compact sedan is available in two engine options whereas the bigger mill which is 2.0-liter petrol can fire up to 152 PS at 6,200 revs per minute and maximum torque of 192 Nm at 4,000 rpm while shifting gears through a 6-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the smaller mill 1.6-litre petrol engine that is also EURO 4 compliant can put out a maximum power of 128 Ps at 6,300 revs and 154 Nm torque at 4850 rpm. The smaller engine has two transmission options which are 6-speed manual or automatic.

One setback of Elantra will be its fuel efficiency of only 7-8 kmpl which may not make it practical for a daily ride.

This car is equipped with disc brakes all around so the overall braking is not really a problem for Elantra. It is also equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System or ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) for the two automatic trims for added safety and better road grip.

Among its other safety features are its six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist control, brake assist, vehicle stability management, and cruise control. One more good thing about this car is that it has reverse parking sensors and a camera for safe parking and control over the car. 

Given its affordable price and premium stance, there is no wonder that Elantra can be an ideal car choice for most Filipino families, working girls, bachelors, or even young motorists. Despite its rear legroom problems and lesser fuel efficiency, it still promises reliable driving performance, better handling, and numerous safety features which can quite be a dealbreaker for a compact sedan.