Road Test: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport

Story by Brenda Washington

Specifications:

Price: $28,499 (MSRP

Engine: 1.6L turbocharged DOHC 16-valve inline-4

Trans: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission

Power: 201 hp@ 6,000 rpm

Torque: 195 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,050 lbs./ 1,383 kg

Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) 10.7/8.1

New for 2018: The Elantra GT 5-door is all-new for 2018 and shares many of the same mechanical components as the 2017’s redesigned Elantra sedan.

Segment Competitors:  Honda Civic Si, VW GTI, Ford Focus ST, Fiat 500, Subaru WRX, Kia Forte5, Mazda 3

The Skinny: The Hyundai Elantra GT Sport appears to the Korean manufacturers take on a hot-hatch as it offers the convenience and space of a hatchback but with some sporty appearance and driving characteristics mixed in. While not as refined as some of its rivals, it offers a good driving experience that is more enjoyable than we expected.

Pros: Incredibly impressed with the amount of cargo space for a car of this size.

Cons: We found the interior finish to appear somewhat second rate.

The Verdict: Although the car did get a few second looks, it wasn’t exactly our cup of tea in terms of appearance although we did enjoy the coloured stitching inside as well as the overall layout of all climate and infotainment controls. While we would expect people to be tempted to look into some of its more established competitors, the Elantra GT Sport could surprise a few people.