Hi,
The Hyundai Elantra is now in its 6th generation though we in India have only seen two previous generations of the car. When it was first launched in India way back in 2004, it was the 3rd generation car and re-wrote the features list of cars of its segment available in the country at that time. With ESP as standard and 6 airbags, it took safety to a new level and brought many new features to the segment.
But it looked plain and out-dated with a narrow nose and did not set the sales charts on fire. So Hyundai skipped India from the launch countries for the 4th generation car and re-introduced the Elantra in its 5th generation in 2010 with nice styling and features.
Now the Elantra has undergone the scalpel yet again and is launched in India in its 6th generation avatar, with much bolder and aggressive styling, some segment first features and both diesel and petrol powertrains to choose from with options of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The car looks really nice in profile and though different parts of the car resemble styling cues of different brands, the important thing is the car looks good with a coupe like stance and looks modern and contemporary. The styling has also resulted in what Hyundai claims to be the best in segment coefficient of drag of 0.29 with air curtains for the front wheels being some of the stylistic and utilitarian features that have also helped in aerodynamics which helps in ultimately reducing fuel consumption.
Design:
The front sports a prominent Audi-type quadrangular front grille, Jaguar like daytime running lights and small round projector head-lamps which give the car a very nice front end. The coupe like profile ends on the rear in tail-lamps that one can say are Alfa or i20 inspired and gives the car a very nice night time signature.In addition, the car has chrome to give it the premium look as per Indian standards with chrome door handles with welcome lights in the door handle pockets, a chrome strip running along the window sill from the front the rear and as soon as one opens the door, the scuff plates as well as the pedals are liberally chromed as well.
Dimensions:
As far as the dimensions of the car are concerned, not much has changed. The car is as long as it was before but crucially about 20mm wider, even though that is not evident because of the styling. In terms of size, it is not the biggest nor is it the smallest in the segment, and crucially has, at 2700mm a wheelbase as long as that of its big rival, the Toyota Corolla Altis and a 25mm width advantage as well.Apart from the dimensions, amongst the things that can't be seen that are new is the 2-litre Nu engine which has been tuned specifically for Indian conditions and comes with an option of either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The diesel engine is the same as on the earlier Elantra and also the same as we have it on the Verna and the Creta and is also mated to 6-speed manual and auto transmissions.
Engine:
At 1999cc, it's the biggest capacity engine in its class and even though the Octavia's turbocharged 1.8 TSI engine beats it for sheer power, it produces a healthy 152bhp of max power along with 192Nm of peak torque. The engine is an all aluminum unit which means a weight reduction of nearly 30kg from the previous engine and is a DOHC unit with VTVT ( variable timing valve train) on both inlet and exhaust valves. The Elantra with the Nu engine is ARAI certified for 14.62kmpl with the automatic gearbox, a figure slightly higher than for the car with manual transmission, another first for Hyundai.
Features:
The interiors are as dramatically changed as the exteriors. The car now has a distinct European feel and even the doors shut with the same firmness associated with European cars. The entire centre console is tilted towards the driver and features an 8in touchscreen with navigation and the best part is that it has physical push buttons below for those who may want to use it the traditional way.Of course, there is also voice control to switch between modes and the steering wheel mounted controls are also comprehensive. They also control the multi-function display on the instrument panel as well as operate cruise control.In addition to the USB and Aux-in ports at the bottom of the centre console at the junction of the floor console, the under arm-rest storage area has a 2nd USB port for charging. The driver's seat has electric controls and also a twin memory function. But both front seats are also air cooled and feature three-stage cooling and that should work well for Indian summers.
Drive Modes:
For the first drive we decide to take the new petrol engine coupled to the more efficient transmission for a spin and discover that it also has drive modes where one can switch to either an ECO mode or a SPORT mode to customize the driving experience. The engine is responsive and the car is quiet. Hyundai engineers claim to have done a lot of work on NVH and it shows on the car and even more so on the diesel engine one as I discover later. But what is evident is that ride and handling have improved on the Elantra and steering is perhaps the best that we have seen on a modern Hyundai till date, even though this one is also electrically assisted.Switch to the SPORT mode and the car turns into a crisp driving machine with a very responsive engine and a gearbox that holds on to the ratios for far longer. Although not as spirited as the turbocharged motors available in the market, the Elantra is a pleasant car to drive, even in a spirited manner.
Suspension:
Even though the Elantra still features only semi-independent suspension at the rear, I felt that both ride and NVH were improved over the outgoing car. Hyundai engineers claim that body rigidity is substantially improved as the use of advanced high strength steel has gone up to 53 per cent in this car as opposed to 21 per cent on the outgoing Elantra. This not only helps in reducing the weight of the car, but also aids in safety and NVH characteristics of the chassis.Besides, in order to impart a premium feel to the car by working on NVH, the engineers have worked on a number of aspects including reduction of gap between the trunk lid and rear windscreen, usage of thicker glass all around, increased rigidity by addition of side members, as well as improving suspension and engine mounting bushes.
Handling:
While the petrol engine car is has a nice ride and handling balance, the diesel is even better considering that I am driving with only one person on-board. The heaver engine upfront provides better damping and the car feels more planted on the tarmac. With disc brakes doing duty on all four wheels, the car inspires confidence under braking and then there is always ABS and ESP to help retain control under emergency braking and lane change situations which I thought I would encounter multiple times on the crowded Chennai-Pondicherry highway.
Added Features:
Getting back to base I discover that the Elantra has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Like on the i20, the rear view mirrors fold out to welcome you as you approach the car with the key in the pocket. But that is not all. If you approach the boot of the locked car with the key on you and wait for three seconds, the car automatically pops the boot open for you to deposit your shopping and groceries - a welcome feature for the owner who drives by himself though I suppose for a car of its class and size it will more often than not - be chauffeur driven.And for the first time Hyundai is upping the ownership package in India like it has done around the world. Not only does the car come with 3-year unlimited kilometer warranty but also with a 3 year 30, 000km maintenance package with the owner not even having to pay for consumables. And if the buyer is an existing Hyundai customer then he gets an additional year's warranty.
Verdict:
Overall, the Elantra makes for a very nice package in terms of the product as well as the ownership experience. It comes loaded with features and is an attractive design, both on the outside and the inside. And for those who are concerned about safety, the automatics with the option pack come with six airbags in addition to the other safety features.
