2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport brings Europe to America



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The Elantra GT 2018 is actually the European version of Elantra, imported to the United States and slightly modified to adapt to the market. The GT Sport adds the quality of the turbocharger to the GT base model, which is generally under-equipped. We spent a week with this fun sedan and were impressed.

The Hyundai Elantra GT 2018 is the hatchback version of the Elantra sedan. At least on paper. In reality, it is a totally different vehicle because it is the Elantra i30 of the European market that is introduced in the United States. This means that it has a different interior, different handling characteristics, and some changes to its exterior compared to the sedan. Intact are Hyundai's known products, such as ergonomic drive controls, the right technology options and smart fuel economy.

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT base model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower (120 kW) at the front wheels. The six-speed manual or automatic transmission is available. This engine is underpowered for the hatchback and returns dull fuel economy as well. We drove the 2018 Elantra GT Sport model, which improves several things to improve the car.

The Sport comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers a more useful power of 201 horsepower (150 kW) to the same six-speed manual transmission option as we drove it. An upgrade to a seven-speed automatic dual clutch is available. The Sport Package also enhances the rear suspension with sport tuning to add more robust ride quality and adds bigger brakes for better stopping power and cornering control.

The Hyundai Elantra GT 2018 is equipped as standard with ignition and keyless entry system, two-zone air conditioning system, LED headlamps and sport-themed gauges that are easier to read. Several options such as panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, navigation, etc. are available for the GT Sport.

Our biggest beef with the 2012 Elantra GT is in its style. The exterior is smart, but a bit everyday compared to other sedans in the segment. In fact, the Elantra GT looks a lot like the Ford Focus or the Honda Civic. Part of that comes from its European style, which others have mentioned. We would like to see something more unique like the Mazda3 or Subaru Impreza hatches. Especially at the front.

Where he shines, however, is inside. The Hyundai Elantra GT Sport 2018 has an interior beautifully made for the price. Much of this comes from its European roots, which bring a dynamism that you will not see in the standard Elantra. The controls are well placed, but the legs are lengthened, the dashboard is raised for more space at the knees, and the entire front end of the Elantra GT looks more aerodynamic and better organized.

The seats of the 2018 Elantra GT Sport are comfortable and well made, though the thigh bolsters can be a bit thick for those of us who have had long winters. The rear seats are excellent thanks to the more square roofline and the door openings, which greatly facilitates the entry and exit of the rear row. The seats are good for three through, although the size of the Elantra GT means that these three will have to be kids since it is tight to put more than two adults in the back.

The cargo space is good, reaching a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet (1,560 liters) with the rear seats folded down. The rear hatch opens up to allow easier access to cargo space and the optional cargo cover picks up quite easily when larger items are loaded.

The Elantra GT comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, which includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We love Hyundai's menu system with its great virtual buttons and simple interface controls. The navigation is also good, but a phone broadcast connected via Auto / CarPlay is much better. Redundant hard buttons for the main menu items such as radio and navigation are on each side of the screen, making jumping easier.

Another brilliant point is his driving quality. The GT is not a race car, despite its name, but it is really engaging. It feels solid when it's driven, responds quickly, and the multi-link rear suspension in the Sport model adds a lot to the ride quality. The small engine is quick to respond and the manual transmission offers a smooth ride and a little more fun to the car.

For the price paid, the Hyundai Elantra GT 2018 is a good sedan at only US $ 16,850 but the Sport Model is far superior and worth the extra four thousand (base price $ 20,750).

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