Sep 14, 2017, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

The Hyundai Elantra, first marketed in Australia as the Lantra, was launched in 1990, and now, its evolution continues with its sixth generation, as an aggressively priced elegant family sedan with European styling, good fuel economy, an indulgent ride and a carload of standard features.

Completely redesigned for 2017, the new Elantra builds on the momentum and success gained as one of Hyundai’s all time best-selling models, with a bold sophisticated design; a longer, wider and more stable architecture; all-new efficient powertrains for enhanced fuel economy; better ride quality and noise insulation; comprehensive safety with class-above features; and an impressive assortment of high tech and infotainment items.

Elantra projects confidence with sculpted body forms complemented by smoothly contoured lines blended with functional aerodynamics. From the front, Elantra is defined by Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille and modern lighting signatures, including available HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Lights and unique vertical LED daytime running lights. Its sporty lower front fascia integrates functional front wheel air curtains, a component that is derived from the Sonata Hybrid that helps manage air flow from the front of the vehicle and around the wheels to minimize turbulence and wind resistance. And sleek bodyside character lines accentuate a sweeping side window silhouette and striking side profile.

All of the cues fit into a larger package within the same footprint. The 2017 Elantra is 0.8 inches longer this year at 179.9 inches long; the width has gained an inch at 70.9 inches wide and height remains 56.3 inches high on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The vehicle gains road stability, and is about 100 lbs. lighter with a curbweight of 2850 lbs.

In keeping with the exterior evolution, Elantra matures inside as well. The cabin depicts a modern driver-oriented design that is 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.

Though larger outside, Elantra is actually tighter inside. Filled with comfort, environmental and infotainment-communication items, the Elantra cabin is refined with intuitive design and lighting, and its standard leather seating surfaces join with cloth-like pillar trim made of fibrous tissue and volcanic rock for a premium look and feel. However, Elantra provides front headroom of only 38.8 inches (1.2 inches tighter than the last generation) and rear headroom is only 37.3 inches. Legroom loses an inch, but is still accommodating at 42.2 inches in front with only 35.7 inches in row two. Shoulder room is generous throughout with 56.2 inches up front and 55.3 inches in the rear.

Powerwise, the new Elantra receives two all-new powertrains designed for improved fuel efficiency and everyday drivability performance. The standard engine available on the base SE and Limited trims is a 2.0-liter Nu MPI Atkinson four-cylinder engine producing a peak 147 horsepower and 132 lb. ft. of torque. The second powertrain is an all-new 1.4-liter Kappa turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine equipped on the Elantra Eco trim. This engine produces 128 hp and 156 lb-ft. of torque. My test Elantra SE’s 2.0-liter engine was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission for an EPA estimated at 29mpg in city driving and 38mpg on the highway. My week of mixed-use testing yielded an average of 33.2mpg.

The Elantra ride is worthy of higher-segment comfort and quietness. Rack-and-pinion type, power assisted Motor Driven Power Steering was responsive on the autocross and took S-curves with confidence. Uphill grades were conquered with ease and acceleration was acceptable in mid ranges. Acting more like the family sedan it is, than a track star, my track tests were completed in a 9.6-second sprint from zero to 60mph and a 17.2-second quarter-mile.

Also fitting the family sedan niche, the independent MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, hydraulic twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers, and 22mm stabilizer bar matched well with a coupled torsion beam axle rear, gas-filled, hydraulic monotube shock absorbers and coil springs for enhanced steering stability and ride smoothness.

A top safety pick, Elantra is built with strong unibody construction, front and rear crumple zones and internal dual beams in its rear doors. Additional safety features in addition to those mentioned above include hill-start assist control, seatbelt pretensioners, tire pressure monitoring system and driver’s blind spot mirror.

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Base SE trim with a manual transmission starts at $17,150 – automatic is $1000 extra; the Elantra Eco starts at $20,650 and the Elantra Limited starts at $22,350 (and that includes an automatic transmission). Automatic transmission within the AE A/T Tech Package added $1300 and came with LED Daytime Running Lights, Blind Spot Detection w/ Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, 3.5-inch TFT monochromatic cluster display, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual automatic temperature control with auto defogger, proximity key with push button start, immobilizer and hand-free smart trunk, door handle approach light, heated front seats and more. An Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and Blue Link® added $295; carpeted floor mats were $125 and freight charges added $885, for a sticker-as-tested of $19,755.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.