2016 Hyundai Elantra in Iowa City, IA - $9,195

Hyundai has introduced the all-new 2017 Elantra sedan to the American marketplace. Available in SE and Limited trim levels, the all-new Hyundai sedan features a bold aerodynamic design, a comprehensive suite of safety features, modern interior styling with class-above features, and a number of user-friendly technologies.

The new Elantra projects confidence with sculpted body forms complemented by smoothly contoured lines. Inspired by the concept of dynamic precision, Elantra’s architecture was a perfect platform for collaboration between Hyundai designers and engineers to blend advanced styling with functional aerodynamics. From the front, the new Elantra is defined by Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille that projects a distinctive character when combined with its modern lighting signatures, including available HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Lights and unique vertical LED daytime running lights, which are firsts for Elantra.

Elantra’s sporty lower front fascia integrates functional front wheel air curtains, a component 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. In addition, underbody covers, an aerodynamic rear bumper bottom spoiler and rear decklid designed with an expanded trunk edge contribute to Elantra’s 0.27 coefficient of drag.

The Hyundai sedan features a sleek bodyside character line that accentuates a sweeping side window silhouette and striking side profile. Overall length has increased by just under an inch and its proportions are further enhanced by increasing its width by an inch, presenting a more athletic stance and stable appearance.

Power for the Elantra sedan is provided by 2.0L Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine. Torque is communicated to the street through a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed electronic automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual shift mode.

The 2017 Elantra rides on a lighter foundation than the outgoing model. Its rigid chassis now reinforced with 53 percent advanced high-strength steel compared with 21 percent from the previous model, providing improved stiffness at a lower body weight.

This increased usage results in a 29.5 percent stiffer torsional rigidity and 25.3 percent greater bending strength, which bring improvements in vehicle ride and handling, quietness, durability and driving performance. Furthermore, the new Elantra increased structural adhesive application 40 times at higher stress points on the chassis and to reinforce welding areas. A component often found in aerospace applications, these structural adhesives also contribute to improved NVH and vehicle dynamics due to extra stiffness in the chassis.

Inside the passenger cabin, Elantra continues to depict a modern, driver-oriented design 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. The wide design of the instrument panel provides a feeling of spaciousness and is available with a 4.2-inch color TFT LCD instrument display for improved driver visibility and functionality. The rest of the center stack is laid out in a horizontal design with buttons and controls placed in logical groups by function, and a slight seven degree tilt toward the driver for optimal ergonomics.

The front seats feature high-tension lightweight seat frames for improved performance in collisions, and a multi-firmness seat pad to help reduce driver fatigue over long distances.

The new Elantra distinguishes itself from the compact car class with segment-first premium features such as a hands-free Smart Trunk and Clari-Fi™ music restoration technology, plus additional convenience and safety items. The Hyundai sedan is also available with a full suite of the latest advanced safety technologies.

Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 106.3; overall length: 179.9; width: 70.9; height: 56.5
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder – 147 hp at 6,200 rpm and 132 lbs-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic with manual shift mode
EPA Fuel Economy: 26 city/36 hwy. (manual); 29 city/38 hwy. (automatic)
Cargo capacity: 14.4 cubic feet

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability management system, electronic stability control, remote keyless entry, alarm system, and tire pressure monitoring system. Limited adds four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist, rearview camera, hands-free smart trunk, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlamp control, proximity key entry with push button start, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, Blue Link connected car system, navigation system, and tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire pressure indicator.

Optional safety features include: high beam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist system, smart cruise control, and HID headlights with dynamic bending light.

Warranty
Basic: 5-year/60,000 mile
Powertrain: 10-year/100,000 mile
Corrosion: 7-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 5-year/unlimited 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan starts from $17,150 for the SE manual upto $22,350 for the Limited automatic. Destination charges add $835.