Hyundai Elantra Sport Tested

The all-new Elantra Sport has not only been revealed in Korea but it's also available to drive there. Hyundai has built a big fleet of vehicles for the local press to have a turn and we've sampled some of their videos for you guys to enjoy.

The car is still on track to arrive as a 2017 model year, and we think it's going to be popular. It's got a 1.6-liter turbo engine, just like the one in the Tucson, only with a higher state of tune and more technology than Hyundai's Veloster Turbo.

If you just want to know about the performance, watch the first video. 200 horsepower sounds like enough to make a fast compact, especially when the Golf GTI had just ten hp more. But it lacks punching power and torque.

Sure, the Elantra Sport looks fast, taking 7.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h, but the Civic 1.5 Turbo isn't that far off. If you're looking for the ultimate thrills with a small engine, they are still found in the Ford Fiesta ST.

However, the new Hyundai model comes with other benefits. There's a new body kit and paint options that set the Sport apart from both the competition and the regular Elantra. The 18-inch wheels are also standard.

We figure it will be a great car for people who want a grown-up compact with Gran Tourer characteristics, especially as the rear suspension has been upgraded to a multi-link setup. It will feel both more planted and comfortable, which is like having your pie and eating it.

Overall, this is not the type of car that will win the Vienna Motor Symposium, but it won't bankrupt you either. Something as simple as a red leather interior and white analog dials shows that Hyundai knows about people who love luxury cars but can't afford them. Even if the turbocharged Elantra doesn't challenge the CLA 45 AMG, it can still keep up with that guy with a BMW 328d that you hate so much, and that kind of puts things into perspective.

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