2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Hyundai Motor America

For 2017 the Hyundai Elantra Sport features a bold aerodynamic design, modern interior styling with class above features, and a number of user friendly technologies.

Exterior
The new Elantra Sport projects confidence with sculpted body forms complemented by smoothly contoured lines that reveal the underlying inspiration of Hyundai designers. Inspired by the concept of dynamic precision.

Model exclusive front and rear fascias give the Sport crucial visual differentiation from the rest of the Elantra lineup, with subtle but immediately recognizable, that hint at the car’s improved power and dynamics. Note the Sport’s black hexagonal grille with subtle Turbo badge; Aggressive side sill extensions; Horizontal LED Daytime Running Lights; A unique inner housing for the standard HID headlamps; A Sport specific light signature for the standard LED taillights; And chrome dual exhaust outlets nestled in a rear bumper diffuser insert. Sport specific 18 inch wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 Nobl² ultra high performance all season tires complete the look.

Interior
On the inside, Elantra Sport continues to depict a modern, driver-oriented design optimized for intuitive control, improved interior roominess, high-quality materials and premium technology features. The contemporary interior design integrates premium soft-touch materials in key touch points and high-tech details to create an inviting and comfortable interior environment for all passengers.

Elantra Sport builds on the Hyundai Elantra’s award winning user experience. Heated leather sport seats with more aggressive bolstering are standard along with eye catching red contrast stitching, a flat bottomed leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped shifter, and a black headliner. Hyundai’s intuitive AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM 7” Display Audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is part of the extensive standard equipment list, which also includes a proximity key with pushbutton start. Alloy pedals and a Sport exclusive instrument gauge cluster provide even further differentiation from the rest of the Elantra lineup.

In addition, Elantra Sport can be upgraded even further through the available Premium Package, which delivers a host of desirable amenities and driver aids. These include an 8” navigation system, 8 speaker Infinity premium audio system with a dedicated center channel and subwoofer, plus ClariFi Music restoration technology which delivers a musical experience closer to the artists’ original intent; Blue Link connectivity; A power sunroof; Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross traffic Alert & Lane Change Assist.

Performance
Elantra Sport is powered by Hyundai’s proven Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI inline four cylinder engine, which produces 201 hp at 6,000 RPM and 195 lb.ft. of torque at 1,500~4,500 RPM increases of 54 hp and 63 lb.ft., respectively, over the standard naturally aspirated Elantra. This engine is paired with a traditional 6 speed manual gearbox as standard equipment; while a 7 speed DCT with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters are available for drivers who prefer automated shifts.

While Elantra Sport’s muscular styling hints at the power that lies under the hood, Hyundai went a step further to ensure that the car’s audio signature adds an unmistakable snarl to match its performance bona fides. The muffler tuning puts Elantra Sport’s exhaust note right at the maximum threshold for pass by sound requirements.

The attention to detail with regard to Elantra Sport’s sound extends to the intake system as well. The U.S. spec airbox features less baffling to allow for more sound, and the air intake pipe itself utilizes a porous material to allow sound to emanate. In concert, the revisions to the intake and exhaust give Elantra Sport an authentic, sporty sound character straight from the factory free of the boominess and freeway drone that characterizes some aftermarket systems.

Summary
The Elantra Sport delivers a relentlessly fun daily driver that offers unprecedented performance for the Elantra nameplate, just as importantly, Sport continues Elantra’s superb value by offering a compelling mix of standard and available equipment at pricing that undercuts rival sport sedans in its category.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $22,750.00 for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport, the one I drove included the Premium Package (8-Inch Navigation System, Infinity Premium Audio System, Blue Link Connected Care Complementary Trial-Enrollment, Blue Link Remote Start, Power Sunroof, Blind Spot Detection With Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Dual Automatic Temperate Control, Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink & Compass), Carpeted Floor Mats, and it came at $26,110.00 including inland freight and handling.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com

Posted in CAR REVIEWS, Hyundai.

Emilio Lezcano

Journalist - Editor - Photographer
Professional Race Car Driver

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