At the Los Angeles Auto Show Hyundai revealed the 2014 version of the Elantra compact sedan with a number of improvements and refreshments, plus a new Sport trim. The car gets new styling details inside and out, plus some technology upgrades, so nobody would call it the poor man’s Sonata anymore.
That is not really good reputation for the Elantra, as the Sonata itself is the poor man’s Genesis, and the Genesis, in its turn, is one of the cheapest luxury sedans out there. That said, the Elantra is a good little car with substantial value for money.
The 2014 Elantra comes with all-new front and rear exterior designs, along with interior styling upgrades. Sport-tuned steering and suspension calibration, as well as an upgraded user interface, enhanced voice recognition commands, improved navigation screens and available Pandora internet radio are among the other new features.
As for the 2014 Hyundai Elantra Sport, the car comes with more than just a Sport badge. The steering system is modified in this car for quicker response, while the suspension is stiffened and the stabilizer bars are thickened.
The Sport comes exclusively with the new 2.0-liter Nu GDI inline four-cylinder engine and standard manual transmission, with an automatic available as option. The engine produces 173 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 154 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm, and has an EPA estimated 24 city/35 highway mpg with a ULEV emissions rating. The Limited models continue with the 1.8 liter unit (145 horsepower and 130 lb.-ft. of torque).
As with every Hyundai model, the car is packed with features and equipment. In terms of safety, it comes with Six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) /Traction Control (TC), ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Seatbelt pretensioners, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and Driver’s blind spot mirror.
