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A lot for a little in Elantra GT
Low-price Hyundai is stuffed with high-end goodies
By Stacey Morrison
Thursday, December 11, 2003
As I watched a co-worker zoom out of the office parking lot in a swanky Porsche press car, I couldn't help but feel like I lost the lottery as I unlocked our Hyundai Elantra GT tester. Arranging myself in the driver's seat and cursing my luck, I did a quick visual scan. Hmm … leather interior? Not bad. A large sunroof, too? Nice. And what's this … heated seats? Jackpot!
While the GT doesn't have the Porsche's power underhood, at this time of year heated seats - which the Porsche lacked - ranks high on my list of nice features to have. Maybe I didn't do too badly after all, I thought.
During my time with the Elantra GT, it grew on me more and more. It's stuffed with high-end goodies like a sport suspension, traction control, 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, the aforementioned leather interior, height-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and sunroof. And when you discover the price is only $21,225, it feels like you're getting very good bang for your transportation buck.
The Elantra GT is a testament to just how far this once fledgling Korean car company has evolved in terms of quality and reliability. At the same time, it maintains one of the key features that has made the automaker so successful: Value. This hatchback version of the popular Elantra sedan immediately won a following when it was introduced a few years ago, due in part to its versatility and long list of standard equipment.
Body-colour front and rear bumpers, side mouldings, grille, mirrors and door handles make the angular GT appear more aerodynamic than its angular lines would initially suggest. Combination taillights and fog lights add sportiness from behind, while 15-inch alloy wheels dress up the entire package.
Inside, your rump will appreciate the anatomically contoured front bucket seats, formed from a single piece of high-density foam for maximum support. The driver's seat is multi-adjustable, even for lumbar support, and proved to be firm and comfortable over longer distances. Our tester came with the Premium package, which adds leather and heated seats - an option not usually available in this price range.
The rear bench has three headrests, though two adults would be more comfortable in the back over longer runs. The seat folds 60/40 for seating flexibility and maximum cargo hauling. Legroom is decent and headroom in the rear is fine for most. Those very tall of stature might feel a bit cramped, however.
Funky purple-illuminated gauges are visible through a leather-wrapped steering wheel, which feels nice in the palms, but could do with some fattening up. The centre stack is basic in its set up with vents up top and the CD/stereo system and HVAC controls below, and as a result is easy to navigate while driving. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 revs. Mated to a standard 5-speed manual transmission (a 4-speed automatic is optional) with a notchy shifter, there's enough power to make errand hopping around town or highway jaunts entertaining. Engine noise is minimal until you get into higher revs, where it becomes a little more raucous, and gear ratios are spaced nicely for maximum power. Smooth takeoffs, however, were few and far between - I had to slip the clutch to get the best results. And even with the GT's optional traction control (which is on all the time unless disengaged by pressing a button on the dash), the front wheels liked to spin.
Overall the GT is quite compliant, with good on-centre steering and driveability. Body roll is evident in the corners, but not enough to be concerning, and 4-wheel disc brakes provide good stopping power. The sport suspension, is a little vague, however, not feeling very tight or "sporty," but then again, this is no Porsche or BMW.
With a wheelbase of 2610 mm and four doors, the Elantra hatchback is a very practical vehicle and bigger than most in its class. It has lots of pockets and storage areas for everything from maps, to CD cases and holds two large Tim Hortons' double-doubles nice and snug in the front cupholders. One curious thing about our tester though was an odd interior smell, which was later deduced to be emanating from the seats. Perhaps a lower grade of leather was used to cover the seats, but it's off-putting until you get used to it or invest in an air freshener.
There's no denying the hatchback is making a comeback and Hyundai separates itself from the pack by offering a lot of equipment for a very reasonable price.
Immediate competition:
Chevrolet Aveo,
Ford Focus ZX5,
Kia Rio RX-V,
Toyota Echo,
Volkswagen Golf
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