The Hyundai Elantra struggled to make any serious impact on the compact car segment, but it has finally come into its own with the latest generation. The major redesign a few years back made the Elantra one of the best choices for compact cars in consideration to overall value. Safety and unique styling highlight the major drawing points of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra.
New For 2013
A two-door coupe joins the lineup, and the Touring wagon gives way to the GT hatchback. Lots of features become standard on the base sedan, including air-conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch wheels, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra sedan’s packages include more goodies now: the Preferred Package adds heated front seats.
Exterior
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra looks extremely attractive. It has smooth lines throughout the exterior of the car, which make it noticeable. Fog lights improve the front fascia, and the Elantra comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, which can be upgraded to alloy. The Limited comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof. A technology package adds automatic headlamps and a keyless entry system to the Limited.
The Elantra sits low and wide, meaning it handles extremely well, and this adds to the unique look the Elantra sports for 2013. Competitors offer sportier cars, but the Elantra is definitely not cookie-cutter.
One interesting fact about the exterior of the Elantra is that it uses lightweight materials, which makes the car lighter and more aerodynamic. Overall, the looks are one reason why this car remains so popular in the small compact car class.
Interior & Cargo
The interior of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra adds a large amount of consumer value. All quality of the materials used throughout the interior is greater than most other compact cars in this price range.
The headroom seems superb even for taller drivers and passengers, which marks a big perk in the compact car class. Rear seats feature somewhat diminished headroom, but the legroom is more than ample.
Quite a few interior options bring out the most comfortable ride in the Elantra. These include the power driver’s seat, which allows setting the seat angle and lumbar support. In addition, the buyer has the option of leather upholstery for seating and multi-level heated front and rear seats. An optional in-dash navigation system provides another added benefit. According to the manufacturer, the materials used in the car are safe for the environment.
Cargo space in the Hyundai Elantra totals about 14.8 cubic feet, which is more than most subcompact cars on the market. In addition, cargo space increases by folding down the back seats for additional room.
Safety
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra comes standard with plenty of safety features, most of which drivers expect in this price range. It has a total of six airbags, including side-curtain airbags, dual front side-impact airbags, and front and rear head airbags. The passenger seat includes a passenger-detection sensor that stops the airbag from deploying if no one is present. Crush zones throughout the car take the greater impact of force should the Elantra be involved in an accident. This technology can greatly reduce the amount of damage to passengers in the event of a collision.
The Elantra also features anti-lock brakes with the addition of a brake-sensing technology. This ensures a person can stop all four wheels. When the brake is applied, the technology directs the brake impact to the part of the car that moves the fastest. The traction control system and stability control system help keep the car on the road.
In government crash testing, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra receives a perfect five-star rating. Similarly, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2013 Elantra a perfect rating of ""Good"" for overall safety. The long list of standard safety features and high ratings make this an ideal car for those with safety in mind.
Driving Experience
All models of the Hyundai Elantra come equipped with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. All models feature front-drive powertrains and other than the Elantra Limited, which has an automatic six-speed transmission, the standard transmissions are six-speed manual. The Elantra can go from zero to 60 mph in about 9.4 seconds, which is a bit slower than the average car in this class.
The Hyundai Elantra may not be a speedy car, but it offers an extremely safe ride. It steers easily with little fighting force, and the ride feels incredibly smooth on the asphalt. In addition, it uses noise-reduction technology in the cabin that ensures an extremely quiet driving experience, but this mostly reduces wind noise and not road noise or engine noise. Since the car is designed to stop quickly, it makes it one of the safer compact cars on the road. Fuel economy totals an estimated 29/40 mpg city/highway, but it is difficult to actually achieve such good fuel economy on the highway.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Forte
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Toyota Corolla