Your Korean alternative to the Ford Focus and VW Golf
Hyundai has begun selling the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT in the United States, with the five-door hatchback carrying a starting MSRP of $19,350 (excluding a $885 destination charge).
Sold as the i30 in Europe and other regions, the Elantra GT is all-new for 2018, combining Euro styling and "utility without sacrificing dynamics," as Hyundai puts it.
Offering an 8 percent increase in cargo capacity versus the previous generation, the 2018 Elantra GT is classified by the EPA as a Large Car thanks to a total interior volume that exceeds 120 cu-ft (3,398 liters). That gives it more cargo volume than competitors such as the Ford Focus, VW Golf, Chevy Cruze, and Toyota Corolla iM.
For the starting price, customers get a 161-hp 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine mated to a standard six-speed manual (a six-speed auto is optional). For those wanting more performance, the Elantra GT Sport offers a 201-hp 1.6-liter Turbo GDI unit that produces a healthy 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm.
Priced from $23,250, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport offers the choice of either a six-speed manual or an available seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters. The Sport model also features a multi-link rear suspension for better handling, as well as larger front and rear disc brake rotors on the 18-inch alloys.
Standard features across the range include LED daytime running lights and an eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available equipment consists of wireless charging, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, heated and ventilated front seats, new generation eight-inch navigation system, and an Infinity premium audio system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology.
As for available driving assistance systems, they include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability. There's also a Hyundai-first Driver Attention Alert.
If you're in the market for a compact hatchback similar to the Elantra GT, you might want to take a look at the 2017 Honda Civic too.