How often does the letter i occur in:
New Car Review
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT: New Car Review
.
Derived, is it not? Throw in a punchier engine for 2014 -- a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that adds 25 horsepower and 23 lb-ft of torque -- and you have a surprisingly complete package, especially given the low price.
There are so many competitive hatchbacks now that you really owe it to yourself to test drive as many as possible. But if youre looking to narrow down the field, the Elantra GT is one youll definitely want to keep on your list. The hatchback is back and, as weve come to expect, Hyundais at the front of the pack.
Whats New for 2014?
The Elantra GT gets a new engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 173 hp. Thats significantly more punch than last years 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, though fuel economy drops by a few miles per gallon. Also new are a standard driver-side blind spot mirror and available LED taillights.
What We Like
Rich feature set; attractive styling; generous cargo space; sportier handling than Elantra sedan
What We Dont
Lacks sedans stylish dashboard; so-so fuel economy
How Much?
$19,560
Fuel Economy
The front-wheel-drive Elantra GT upgrades to a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine this year, with output rising to 173 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque -- increases of 25 hp and 23 lb-ft compared to last years 1.8-liter motor. The transmission choices are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.
Not surprisingly, fuel economy is notably worse with the bigger engine. The 2014 Elantra GT receives an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 24 mpg city/34 mpg hwy with the manual and 24 mpg city/33 mpg hwy with the automatic. Thats not very impressive for a compact hatchback these days. For comparison, last years Elantra GT was rated at up to 27 mpg city/37 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
The.
The optional Style package ($2,550) adds 17-in wheels, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, a power drivers seat, heated front seats, aluminum pedals, leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Tech package ($3,250) tacks on automatic headlamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start and a navigation system with a 7-in touchscreen, a rearview camera and premium audio.
Safety
The 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and seven airbags (front, front-side, driver knee,seat space, but theres still room for full-size adults back there if the adults in front play nice. Trunk space is 23 cu ft, while folding down the rear seat backs opens up a very healthy 51 cu ft.
Under the hood, the new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder delivers reasonably peppy performance in most situations. Shared with the Elantra Sport sedan, the bigger engine feels strained at times, but its a definite improvement over the old 1.8-liter unit. Transmission-wise, the precise 6-speed manual gives a more responsive feel, but at least the optional 6-speed automatics downshifts are quicker than the norm these days. We do wish the 1.8-liter motor were still available, as were sure there are folks who would rather have less power and an extra 3 mpg.
On the road, the Elantra GT handles crisply atop its sport-tuned suspension. The Elantra GTs standard driver-adjustable steering
Ford Focus -- You usually get what you pay for when it comes to economy cars, and the Focus is one of the most expensive. Sure enough, it drives almost like an entry-level luxury car, with uncommon refinement and athleticism for this class.
Mazda3 -- With its smooth SkyActiv 2.0-liter engine, the redesigned 3 has vaulted to the head of the class in fuel economy without losing Mazdas traditional performance edge. Plus, the new styling is much more pleasing to the eye.
Volkswagen Golf -- The 2015 Golf feels amazingly solid at highway speeds, and it has top-notch interior quality. We like the new turbocharged 1.8-liter engine, too.
AutoTraders Advice
The Elantra GTs looks really come together with the optional 17-in wheels and LED taillights, so wed add the Style package, for sure. But since the Tech package jacks up the price even more, wed consider just sticking with the Style package and enjoying all the Elantra GTs standard features.
user
There are 209 "i"s.
assistant