It’s a complete Hyundai redesign for 2017

For Hyundai fans looking for a compact and sensible vehicle in the sedan world, turn your eyes toward the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. After all, the Elantra was Hyundai’s impressive bestseller in 2015. The Hyundai folks are counting on more than that for 2017 though having rolled out a complete new look with new features that include technology tweaks that are pretty impressive, particularly on the two higher level trims.

The competition includes the Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Kia Forte and Mazda 3, all fuel efficient with a variety of different tweaks just depending on the buyer’s needs.

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra comes with four doors in three trims, the SE, Eco and Limited.

On the SE, you get 15-inch steel wheels, power accessories, height-adjustable front seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and split folding rear seatbacks with six speakers and a CD player. There are a variety of packages that the SE offers from the Tech package that only comes with the Popular package included offering bigger wheels, heated side mirrors, cruise control, a rearview camera and a seven-inch touchscreen along with some techie option, the add on choices from there with the additional Tech Package is LED daytime running lights, keyless ignition and entry, a hands-free trunk opener, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, an automatic climate control and a variety of additional safety goodies.

The Eco trim does not have any additional packages, but it comes equipped with the Popular Equipment and Tech packages from the SE trim with a change in wheel size and a turbocharged engine.

The Limited trim will give you the Popular Equipment and Tech packages and 17-inch alloy wheels, a unique body trim, LED tail lights, leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver seat and the Hyundai’s Blue Link system with an extra USB port.

You can also opt for a higher end Limited Only Tech Package with a sunroof, heated rear seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a larger touchscreen that offers a navigation system.

Hyundai Elantra Limited buyers can get the Ultimate package added on too, if they opt for the Tech package thus including adaptive xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, a driver memory setting and a variety of safety additions.

Under the hood the 2017 Hyundai Elantra has two different engine choices depending on the trim. The SE and Limited trim levels have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque and the Eco trim offers a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 128 horsepower and 156 pound feet of torque.

All the Elantra trims are front wheel drive and the SE trim will give you a six-speed manual with the automatic transmission option. On the Limited trim level, the automatic transmission is standard. The 2017 Elantra Eco trim has a seven-speed automated manual transmission.

Depending on the trim, there are additional safety options that can be had too, but the standard features include antilock brakes, front seat side, side curtain and driver knee airbags with traction and stability control. The SE and Eco models are equipped with front disc and rear drum brakes with the higher end Limited being equipped with four-wheel disc brakes. With the Popular Equipment Package on the SE, you get a rearview camera and the Tech package adds the blind-spot monitoring. Of course, with the highest end trim, the Limited these safety options are standard fare, but optional safety on the Limited include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and a lane-departure warning with an intervention system.

Remember the Hyundai Blue Link, which can be added and will give peace of mind offering emergency assistance, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery and locking, unlocking and starting remotely as well as secondary driver monitoring for younger drivers.

Quite attractive in a practical sense, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra has good quality materials used in the cabin throughout and the knobs and buttons are easy to use and understand. There is not a lot of needing to second guess what button to push or how to do it, the Hyundai Elantra interior design makes it trouble free.

As for how much room in the back seat and trunk, there is the 60/40 split offering more space if needed, overall this version is a bit smaller in the cubic feet with 14.4. The good news, the 2017 version is a little wider and longer with more head, shoulder and legroom and that means more comfort particularly for the backseat passengers. Take note that the front seats have lost a bit of head and leg comfort, but the Elantra is still comfortable all around.

That means a comfortable driving experience with the Elantra too. Of course, you aren’t going to win any racing challenges with this one, but that’s not what it’s all about. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is about an easy ride, taking the curves as needed and doing it with minimal challenges. Fuel efficiency is impressive and overall the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is easy to love since it’s quietly composed and simple to appreciate.

Should You Need to Know: The Hyundai Elantra was first introduced in 2011 and since that time it’s been a strong compact sedan in this market segment, but with this new design it seems that the Elantra is all grown up standing firmly next to the Hyundai Sonata.

Miles Per Gallon: On the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, you get 26 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway with the manual and on the Limited it is 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway.

Cost: The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited that I drove had about a $27,500 price tag, but keep in mind the packages that you can add will also increase the price with a $2500 price tag addition for the Tech package or another $1900 when you add on the Ultimate package.


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