Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all you need and what once failed to shine can take a shot at brilliance. The newly refreshed 2019 Hyundai Elantra received just such a facelift and it’s bringing some excitement to a sedan that wasn’t always synonymous with “fun.” Ratcheting up the experience even further is the introduction of a Sport trim which adds some visually striking elements to the exterior and a bit more power under the hood. It’s an intense package that certainly heightens the Elantra’s street cred. In fact, the refresh of the Elantra coupled with the edgy enhancements of the Sport trim might just be exactly what the brand sorely needed.
What the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport Gets Right
The Sport Trim’s Design – If first impressions are everything then the Elantra Sport brings the cool in spuds, intensifying a newly redesigned sedan that was already on it’s way to enhancing its image. While there is some added power under the hood, the additions to the outside of the Elantra are the first to impress – particularly the black-out, mesh grille that replaces the mildly bland crossobars in other trims. The grille is a faint nod to the Toyota hexagonal maw that’s on their current lineup but the similar design on the Elantra is more subdued and refined. Sportier LED headlights flank the grille nicely and add to the more aggressive stance. This trim also adds dark, multi-spoke 18-inch wheels that at first glance seem at odds with the overall design but ultimately add to the trim by highlighting the vehcicle from afar. Inside the cabin there a few minor updates the Sport trim bring standard including a flat-bottom leather wrapped steering wheel and a sporty instrument gauge cluster. Not to mention the super-sexy, red leather seats that matched oh-so-perfectly with the “Intense Blue” exterior paint.
The Sport Trim’s Engine – The Elantra’s Sport Trim comes with its own 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-feet of torque. The Elantra I tested had this engine configured with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission but its also available with a six-speed manual gearbox for drivers who what a more personal experience. The Sport trim does come with some nifty paddle shifter which helps add a bit more excitement to the already stellar automatic transmission. This is a front wheel drive vehicle and while it might not beat out competitors like the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen Jetta GLI on paper, it’s still a blast to drive. There is a moderate but healthy growl through the gears and very little lag throughout. Steering is tight, especially on corners which also get help from the new, multi-link rear suspension that provides a hefty dose of stability. Zero to sixty is achievable at just over 6 seconds making for brisk accelerations. The manual transmission would have been interesting to experience but the automatic transmission fulfills the driving thrill enough to leave me satisfied.
A Roomy Interior – Despite its size, there is plenty of room to go around in the Elantra and thanks to specific design choices, there is comfort in spades for both driver and passengers. The bucket seats up front grip the body nicely and position the driver optimally in position to peer out from the spacious windows. Legroom for rear passengers is 35.7 inches with plenty of head room due to a low, flat bench. There’s only 14.4 cubic feet of trunk space but its what to be expected for this type of sedan.
Fantastic Gas Mileage – at 28 mpg city, 37 highway and 32 combined, the Elantra goes further on less. I found these mileage numbers to be mostly accurate, even despite the testing of the sport engine.
Affordability – Without added options, the Elantra Sport starts at $22,600, a few thousand dollars short of it’s aforementioned competitors the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI which started at $24,400 and $25,995 respectively. It can be argued that the Elantra name doesn’t carry the same weight as the Civic or the Jetta but with this year’s enhancements, naysayers should reconsider that notion. Its apparent that Hyundai is putting some effort into their lineup with the likes of this Sport trim. With transportation costs and the added Premium Package (which includes an Infinity Premium Audio system complete with subwoofer, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an auto dimming review mirror) the Elantra Sport I tested came in at $27,005.
Where the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport Falls Short
Some Quirky and Subpar Design Choices – While the refresh of the 2019 Elantra is overwhelming positive, it’s not without its shortcomings particularly when it comes to the Sport trim. I’ve already mentioned the odd 18-inch alloy wheel design that is polarizing and won’t be beloved by everyone. And while the front facia of the Elantra points to a dramatic new direction for the sedan, the rest of the body is merely subpar in comparison. Hyundai could of gone bolder but may have chosen not for fear of “turning off” their core customer base by traveling too far outside the box. In the cabin, I have small gripes with the quality of some materials. For instance, I dig the silver, “chrome-like” trim on the air vent slates but they feel flimsy to the touch.
No Adaptive Cruise Control – It might be a minor complaint but for any driver who has experienced the bliss of adaptive cruise control it becomes extremely noticeable when a vehicles is missing this option – especially a vehicle in a higher trim level. The Elantra Sport comes standard with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Collision Warning so its baffling that no adaptive cruise control technology was also implemented.
A New Day for the Elantra
My first experience with Hyundai Elantra was years ago when I had to spend several days with a rental while my personal vehicle was being repaired. It was a base model Elantra (the year escapes me now but it was about 10 years go, so late 2000s) and to say that it unimpressed me is putting it lightly. What a world of difference a decade makes. The 2019 Elantra refresh itself is applaudable but the Sport trim elevates the sedan even further by proving that Hyundai can take the shortcomings of the 2017 redesign and innovate towards an overall enjoyable driving experience for practically anyone. If I needed a rental car in 2019 and this version of the Hyundai Elantra was given to me, I would have be been estatic. Then again, maybe thats why I became an auto journalist.
