2018 Hyundai Elantra review

The Hyundai Elantra has received a facelift and some new features that have never been on the option list before. The vehicle looks stylish after its redesign with LED daytime running lights, taillights and bumpers. A new Sport version has also been introduced, which gains more power and sportier wheels with sporty bumpers and tailpipe exhaust tips. Fuel consumption, practicality and safety are some of Hyundai’s mostly valued features, and the new cars from Hyundai offer all these good features.

Engine specs and prices

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra comes with four engine options. The 1.6 litre engine punches out 94kW/154Nm with a fuel consumption of between 6 to 7 L/100km. The Elantra Sport also gets a 1.6 litre engine, but is turbocharged and boosts the power to 150kW/265Nm. The pricing for the new Elantra isn’t bad at all with the 1.6 Elite version starting @R299 900, and the Elantra Sport starting @R399 900. The Sport is surprisingly good at handling and is pretty quick, racing to 100km in just 7.7 seconds and keeps an impressive average fuel consumption of 7.9 L-100km.There is an executive manual and 7-speed DCT automatic available in both the Elite and Sport model.

Interior and exterior features

The interior looks completely new and is verysporty inside. There are some new key features that have been added to the new Elantra’s interior as standard such as:

-Cruise Control
-Rear Parking Assist
-Bluetooth
-Infotainment display with navigation
-Leather seats

The exterior has also been updated with new LED daytime running lights, Turbulent-resisting air intakes to help improve fuel efficiency, keyless entry and push button start and lastly,16 inch alloy wheels, with the larger sportier 17 inch alloy wheels available on the Sport Versions.

Safety features and driver assists

Many new safety features have been added, such as Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist which checks to ensure the lane is safe for you to enter, Automatic Emergency Braking for pedestrians and other cars at low speeds. Lane Steering Assists is an optional extra that will steer the car for you on highways and open roads with cruise control activated. The Elantra gets a 4 out of 5 star safety rating which shows that Hyundai’s cars are pretty safe as well.

Our verdict

With the expensive fuel prices of today and day-to-day lifestyle habits, cars need to be practical, fuel efficient and most importantly safe. The Hyundai Elantra ticks all the above and brings even more, with the optional sport package and surprisingly many luxury features. Good looks also play a part in the new Elantra’s character, with the sport model getting larger wheels and exhaust tailpipes.

Overall Hyundai has brought some highly competitive vehicles out lately and the Elantra is certainly one of them.

*Prices are correct at the time of publication.