The new Elantra GT is on it's way Options

[elantragt]

Our version of the i30 will include a Sport model with independent rear suspension, 201 HP 1.6 turbo and available 6 speed manual or DCT. The base 2.0 will offer the manual as well. I wish the car looked a little edgier but overall it's quite a nice package. - Mitch

From Car and Driver:

In its most recent comparison test, we called the new Hyundai Elantra sedan “arguably the best-looking vehicle the company has ever offered for sale.” That argument is about to get tougher with the arrival of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT, a hatchback version plucked from the automaker’s European division that serves up clean lines and attractive detailing. Combine the sharp styling with an available 201-hp turbocharged four-cylinder (and a standard six-speed manual transmission), and this new Hyundai has the potential to be a formidable challenger to segment favorite hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Golf.

Like the outgoing Elantra GT hatch, the new model is essentially identical to the Europe-market Hyundai i30. That means it’s not a hatchback version of the U.S.-market Elantra sedan, and instead it rides on a different architecture; the relationship is similar to that between the VW Golf and Jetta. The Elantra GT’s wheelbase is two inches shorter than the Elantra sedan’s, for instance, which puts the Hyundai right between the Golf and Civic hatches.

The Elantra GT’s base four-cylinder displaces 2.0 liters, like the sedan’s standard engine, but different tuning results in 162 horsepower versus the sedan’s 147. Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are offered with this naturally aspirated engine. Things get more interesting in the Elantra GT Sport, which packs the Elantra Sport sedan’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four making 201 horses and 195 lb-ft of torque. Here, too, a six-speed manual comes standard, while the optional automatic is a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. All Elantras are front-wheel drive.

As in the Sport sedan, the GT Sport swaps out the standard torsion-beam rear suspension for an independent multilink setup. Eighteen-inch wheels and larger brakes round out the changes to the performance-oriented model.

No matter the trim level, the Elantra GT’s interior looks upscale and sensibly laid out, with a dashboard design noticeably different from the sedan’s. An 8.0-inch display screen comes standard and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality along with an updated version of Hyundai’s Blue Link infotainment software.

As with any hatchback, cargo-carrying practicality is an important consideration. The Elantra GT’s cargo hold boasts 25 cubic feet of space, which is between the Golf’s 23 and the Civic hatchback’s 26. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, the Elantra provides 55 cubic feet of space, beating out both of those rivals (the Honda provides 46, while the Golf has 53).

The 2018 Elantra GT will reach dealerships this summer and is likely to be priced starting around $20,000. That’s higher than the Elantra sedan’s $17,985 base price, but the GT will try to justify its higher price using its enhanced practicality and style.

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[elantraelite]

Recently we bought a 2016 Santa Fe and when the i30 was released, the partner and I went back to the same dealership to test drive the new i30.

The dealership was fantastic and let us drive one of every spec and also the Elantra

We drove:

The i30 Active CRDi with the. 7 Speed DCT. For a base model car it is packed with equipment and has nice alloys. The 1.6 diesel is a great motor, having now owned an FD and GD diesel they have been rapidly improving the U2 engine. The DCT felt interesting with the diesel engines characteristics it had heaps of grunt 100kw / 300nm. There was a bit more engine vibration than I would have liked, but other wise drove well.

The i30 SR Premium with the 1.6 Turbo Petrol with the 7speed DCT felt great. The DCT felt better matched to the petrol engine with nice sharp shifts. I loved how the auto system operated it's voice over for the navigation but continuing to play music from the rear speakers and speaking through only the front speakers. Felt rather flash.

The Elantra Active 2.0 GDi 6spd auto felt powerful and refined, while the conventional 6spd auto changes gears smoothly and was always in the right gear, it just screamed with given WOT. I think this is where I'd prefer a manual transmission. The car felt like a brick on the road, solid as a rock.

The final car was the Elantra SR 1.6 Turbo with the 7 speed DCT. Out of all the models this was our favourite the exhaust had a nicer note that the i30 SR Premium and I much preferred the interior which felt more refined and detailed. The Cluster looks awesome! Own thing I didn't like on the i30 was the rather plain looking cluster. The Elantra SR, handled cornering great and was a pleasure to drive. While the Elantra didn't have all the tech that the i30 had, I'd still take the Elantra over the i30.