Available in multiple trims — GL, GLS, and the top one, GLS Sport. Each variant comes with a little twist. The GLS Sport, obviously, packs the most punch. A 1.6L turbocharged engine. 7-speed DCT. And paddle shifters. That sporty vibe is strong.
Colours? Hyundai didn’t disappoint. Polar White. Phantom Black. Electric Shadow. Intense Blue. And my personal favourite — Lava Orange. That shade pops. Head-turner for real.
First Impressions
Side profile? Low roofline. Coupe-like. Gives off a premium, European feel. The tail lights — that connected bar across the back — futuristic. Bit overstyled for some maybe. But not me. I liked it.
Wheels? 16 to 17 inches depending on the variant. They suit the body. Sporty trims get machine-cut alloys. Look slick. It was love at first look. Honestly.
Interior & Comfort
Seats? Comfortable. Wrapped in fabric in base trims. Faux leather in the top ones. The bolstering’s good. Not too tight. Not too loose.
Rear space? Decent. Three adults can sit but the middle one won’t be super happy on long rides. Legroom and headroom? Sufficient for a sedan.
Climate control worked smooth. Rear AC vents in GLS and above. A small but very thoughtful addition.
Sound system was okay-ish in the lower trims. In GLS Sport? Way better. Bose speakers. Rich sound. Makes a difference.
Driving Experience
Then came the GLS Sport. That’s where things got spicy. Turbo engine. Dual-clutch. Snappy shifts. Paddle shifters add some fun. 0 to 100 in under 8 seconds. Doesn’t push you into the seat. But still feels alive.
Handling? Pretty balanced. Not razor sharp. But responsive enough. Steering weighs up at speed. Gives confidence. Body roll? Minimal. Thanks to that low stance. Suspension tuned for comfort. Small potholes were swallowed easily. Bigger bumps? Bit noticeable. But nothing harsh.
Brakes? Strong. ABS works just right. Disc brakes on all four wheels.
Overall — calm when you need it. Quick when you want it.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency? Let’s talk real numbers. The 1.6L NA gives around 12-13 km/l in city. On highways? Touches 16 km/l if you go easy on the pedal.
Turbo GLS Sport is thirstier. City gives around 10-11 km/l. Highway? 14 if you're lucky and soft-footed.
Not the best in class. But still decent for a car that looks this good and performs like that.
Fuel tank? 50 liters. Good enough for long trips without stressing over the next petrol pump.
Features & Tech
Hyundai didn’t hold back on features. Even base model gets decent kit.
Push start. Smart key. Rearview camera. Touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Mid-trim (GLS) adds things like wireless charging, dual-zone climate, sunroof. And those rear AC vents I mentioned earlier.
Top trim? Fully loaded. 10.25-inch digital cluster. Bigger infotainment screen. Bose sound. Leather seats. Ventilated seats even. Yup. In this price segment.
Safety-wise — 6 airbags (in GLS Sport). ABS, ESC, Hill-start assist. TPMS. Rear parking sensors.
Even has drive modes. Normal, Eco, Sport. They work. Slight throttle and steering difference. Nothing dramatic. But it’s there.
Advantages:
• Killer looks. Stands out in traffic.
• Comfortable, feature-rich cabin.
• Turbo version is fun to drive.
• Build quality feels solid.
• Premium features in top trims.
• Great tech integration.
Disadvantages:
• CVT feels boring in base trims.
• Rear space just average.
• Price a bit on higher side compared to rivals.
• Turbo version fuel efficiency is low.
• No hybrid option yet.
Still, the pros weigh more. Way more.
I’ve driven sedans. Corolla. Civic. Even a few imported ones. But this Elantra? It surprised me.
Not just because it looked sharp. But because it actually felt premium. In its own way. Not trying too hard. But still managing to impress.
Would I buy it? Yes. But only the GLS Sport. I like my cars with a bit of punch. If you're more into comfort and chill driving — the mid trim GLS is probably the sweet spot. Balance of features and price.
And if you’re on a tighter budget — even the base one won’t disappoint. Just don’t expect thrill from that CVT.
Summary
The Hyundai Elantra isn’t perfect. But it does a lot of things right. A whole lot.
It’s bold. Comfortable. Well-equipped. And drives well — especially in turbo guise. It demands attention. And earns respect.
Whether you're a daily commuter or a weekend cruiser — there's a variant for you. Want economy? Go with base. Want a bit of performance and swag? GLS Sport. Want the best of both worlds? GLS. Simple.
Variants and colours just add to its flexibility. And the design? That alone makes it worth a second look.
Elantra isn’t just another name on the sedan list anymore. It’s a statement. Quiet. But clear.
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