Performance and Driving Impressions

From Car and Driver

Performance and Driving Impressions Ratings:

The Elantra GT isn’t a hot hatch-the GT Sport version defends that title, and reasonably well-but its chassis does offer competent handling without sloppy body motion. Too bad its mediocre acceleration, low-fidelity steering, and uneven brake-pedal response diminished the fun factor compared with sharper alternatives

Acceleration

The Hyundai hatch finished last in every acceleration test, including an 8.0-second run from zero to 60 mph that was 0.3 second slower than its nearest rivals. The GT won’t offend laid-back drivers, but its nonturbo engine is less compelling than most competitors’. We did like our test car’s lively throttle response at low revs, and its automatic transmission was inconspicuous. Pushing the Sport button on the center console sharpened the responses of both the throttle and the transmission, which helped, but the setting isn’t available with the manual gearbox.

Test Results: Acceleration

Ride, Handling, and Steering

The Elantra GT we tested had a remarkable ride over the wide variety of road surfaces that canvas southeast Michigan. It never felt unsettled on bumpy sections, passengers were well isolated from harsh impacts, and the lack of shakes and rattles bode well for build quality. Our test vehicle rode on 17-inch wheels wrapped with all-season rubber. While its 0.83 g tied the Volkswagen Golf in our maximum-cornering tests, the Hyundai felt less composed than the VW when hustled. Still, the GT had competent handling below the absolute limit and a balanced chassis that avoided feeling lifeless. Its light steering was accurate but lacked the feedback of rivals such as the Mazda 3 and the Golf.

Test Results: Maximum Cornering Capability

Braking

The Elantra GT required 171 feet to stop from 70 mph in our emergency braking test, which was two feet longer than the Golf. The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback halted shorter than everything, at 161 feet. The Hyundai’s brake pedal was oddly inconsistent in its response, with a firmer feel in stop-and-go city traffic and less bite on the highway.

Test Results: Maximum Braking Capability

Test Results: Curb Weight and Weight Distribution

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