2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport

More Bang For The Buck!

Story and photos by Russell Purcell,

Hyundai’s Elantra model has always been a favourite with Canadian consumers, as the tidy little compact offers plenty of comfort, competitive levels of equipment, and excellent ride quality, as well as a solid reputation for reliability. However, as attractive as the Elantra package is, younger buyers, as well as those individuals seeking a more visceral driving experience, were looking elsewhere to fulfill their needs.

For 2017, the product planning team at Hyundai is introducing a new Sport model of the Elantra which will feature a variety of important powertrain, chassis and styling upgrades designed to give the car a broader appeal, as well as improved handling, agility, and performance.

Under its hood will reside the most powerful engine to ever be offered in an Elantra model, that being Hyundai’s 1.6-litre Turbo GDI four-cylinder which produces a healthy 201 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can order the car with either a short-throw, six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed, dual clutch unit with paddle shifters.

After exercising this potent new player around a tight autocross course, it quickly became evident that the folks at Hyundai have developed a package that will stir the senses and help initiate smiles in all who get behind the wheel.

Acceleration is brisk and linear, and the engine produces a delightful exhaust note that is raspy enough to tickle the ears, but not become bothersome or intrusive when cruising. The car’s independent multi-link suspension responds well to road irregularities, dips and bumps, and helped keep the car tracking straight and true.

The Elantra Sport’s handling is also aided by the fact that its chassis has been manufactured using what Hyundai calls Advanced High Strength Steel.  The resulting “Superstructure” significantly increases the car’s torsional rigidity, and by using advanced adhesives and sound deadening technologies in its construction, the engineering team has made the car both safer and quieter than many of its competitors.

Elantra Sport models fitted with the automatic gearbox also benefit from the addition of Drive Mode Select, a system which allows the driver to adjust both power train performance and steering calibration to best suit conditions. Three modes are available – Eco, Normal, and Sport – and can be selected at the mere touch of a button.

Exclusive Sport styling cues include unique bodywork with revised front and rear fascias (the latter with an integrated diffuser),  a bold black grille, signature LED tail lamps,  HID head lamps, and horizontally-mounted LED daytime running lights. Other special equipment includes lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped with sticky Hankook high-performance tires, twin chrome exhaust tips, subtle side sill extensions, and a rear spoiler.

On the inside, the Elantra Sport benefits from firm and supportive leather sport seats featuring bold red stitching, a unique Sport gauge cluster, blacked-out trim, power sunroof, alloy pedals, and a flat-bottomed, wide-rimmed heated steering wheel.

The Elantra Sport is outfitted with a whole host of premium comfort and technology features that will no doubt appeal to the tech savvy buyer. These include a clever automatically opening trunk, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and an advanced multimedia system equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.  The available navigation system is impressive, as is the thundering premium audio system.

Passenger safety is always a priority, so the car is equipped with a full complement of seven airbags (including a new driver’s knee airbag), Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Traction Control, and ABS.

Optional advanced safety technologies include Autonomous Emergency Braking with class-exclusive Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and a rearview camera.

A little cross-shopping will quickly reveal that the 2017 Elantra Sport delivers the near perfect mix of performance, handling, technology, and style at a very competitive price.

Technical Specifications: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport

• Base price range (MSRP): $24,999 – $28,999
• Type: Five passenger, FWD compact sedan.
• Engine: 1.6L turbo DOHC I-4
• Power: 201 hp @ 6,000 rpm
• Torque: 195 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed dual-clutch manumatic with paddle shifters
• Brakes (front /rear): Disc / disc
• Fuel consumption (L/100 km): city – TBD; highway – TBD