Stylishly efficient: 2014 Hyundai Elantra sedan

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Ken Chester, Jr., Motor News Media Corporation, CDT September 29, 2014

 

The award-winning Hyundai Elantra returns for 2014 with extensive design upgrades with a host of new features. In total, more than 75 Elantra major sub-systems are new or redesigned. The front and rear styling of the 2014 Elantra have been altered for a more stable, balanced look. Up front, a new open-mouth lower bumper, grille, more technical fog lights and projector headlamps with LED accents add a dynamic, precise feel to Elantra.

The whole L-shaped fog light graphic stabilizes the front end and gives the car a more grounded look, while maintaining a greater sense of width that forces the eye to the corners. The headlamp and taillamp LED accents were also given a more technical appearance to give the Elantra a stronger attitude. From the profile, a chrome beltline molding and new sets of 17-inch alloy wheels accentuate the Elantra's premium image. A new black, two-tone rear diffuser also sharpens the exterior look.

The Elantra sedan model line-up has also been enhanced, with the GLS now becoming the entry-level SE, the return of the well-equipped Limited and the new-for-2014 Sport model.

Sport-tuned steering and suspension calibrations sharpen the new Elantra Sport's handling. Under the skin, the new 2014 Elantra Sedan Sport has significant alterations aimed at enhancing handling and steering. A reworked Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) setup reduces friction and provides a quicker ratio for a more responsive cornering attitude. Stiffer dampers, rear springs and a larger front stabilizer bar on the Sport deliver better front roll control / stiffness and more fluid suspension action.

Base power for the popular Hyundai sedan is produced by a 1.8L four-cylinder engine. The Elantra Sport is outfitted with a more powerful 2.0L four-cylinder motor. Both engines are bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic transmission is an available option.

Behind the wheel of the entry level Elantra SE and top-of-the-line Elantra Limited, drivers benefit from Hyundai's Driver Selectable Steering Mode, with three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport. This innovative system allows drivers to adapt the Elantra's steering characteristics to varying driving preferences and road conditions. Comfort mode is ideal for city and parking environments, offering the greatest ease of steering with a decrease in steering effort. Normal mode is ideal for a mix of driving conditions.

Meanwhile, Sport Mode is optimized for higher-speed freeways or winding roads and decreases power steering assistance. The Driver Selectable Steering Mode not only adjusts power assistance levels in each mode, but also adjusts on-center build-up feel and steering build-up curves throughout the steering range, for a very natural and progressive feel. Steering dampening characteristics, active return and friction levels have also been optimized in Elantra.

Inside the passenger cabin, refinements in design give the entire 2014 Hyundai Elantra a more premium feel, with an all-new third-generation navigation and audio technology, available aluminum accents and new HVAC controls. Subtle changes to the placement of HVAC vents, controls and the height of the front center armrest lend a higher-quality, simplified look. Providing a more upscale environment is accomplished with a slightly darker, more neutral beige interior color choice, aluminum pedals on the Sport and aluminum door sill plates on the Sport and Limited.

The Elantra Limited offers a new optional multifunction seven-inch touch-screen display with navigation. This third-generation display features a simpler user interface, enhanced voice recognition commands and improved navigation screens. The system is more intuitive for commonly used tasks. Simple pop-up messages now appear to help pair a cell phone and the voice recognition software understands street addresses and cities all in one sentence. The route screens display speed limits and details the next three maneuvers. One or two button pushes now complete most functions. The systems memory also allows for viewing and storing of jpeg images and Mpeg music files from a USB stick.

New technologies built into the 2014 Elantra include the application of the next-generation navigation and audio technology, which feature simpler user interfaces, enhanced voice recognition commands, improved navigation screens and available Pandora internet radio. A 4.3-inch color touch screen with integrated rearview camera is now standard equipment on the Elantra Sport and Limited.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 106.3; overall length: 179.1; width: 69.9; height: 56.3

All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 1.8L four-cylinder – 145 hp at 6,500 rpm and 130 lbs-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm; 2.0L four-cylinder – 173 hp at 6,500 rpm and 154 lbs-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm.

Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic

EPA Fuel Economy – 1.8L four-cylinder – 27 city/37 hwy. (SE/manual), 28 city/38 hwy. (SE/automatic), 27 city/37 hwy (Limited/automatic); 2.0L four-cylinder – 24 city/34 hwy. (manual), 24 city/35 hwy. (automatic).

Cargo capacity: 14.8 cubic feet

Safety features

Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, remote keyless entry, and alarm system. Limited adds front fog lights, rearview camera, automatic headlamp control, and Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Optional safety features include: navigation system, electronic push button start and engine immobilizer.

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

As of the time this review was written, Hyundai has not announced pricing for the 2014 Hyundai Elantra sedan models.