In the debut year of its sixth generation, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra maintains the carmaker’s firm position among top economically priced compacts. The newly designed sedan is offered in three trim levels: SE, Eco and Limited.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the Eco, with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
- Three trims: SE, Eco and Limited.
- Base price of slightly less than $21,000, about $10,000 less than the average price of a new car in the United States.
- 40 mpg highway for the Eco, with 32 city and 35 combined in the EPA’s rating.
- Space: Despite its designation as a compact, the Elantra has more interior space than many midsize vehicles.
- Safety: Beyond its roominess and a lengthy list of standard features, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra gets top safety ratings.
Trims and Equipment
The SE model is standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, height-adjustable front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding rear seatback. There’s also a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a CD player.
Automatic-transmission SE models offer a Popular Equipment package. Included are 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and steering wheel controls (but no CD player).
The Eco model, similar to the SE with Popular Equipment and Tech packages, was my test vehicle. It substitutes 15-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Value, Space and Safety
With a base price of slightly less than $21,000 (about $10,000 less than the average price of a new car in the United States) the Elantra is also firmly positioned into the super value sedan category.
Despite its designation as a compact, the Elantra has more interior space than many midsize vehicles. It also drives as smoothly and quietly and with as much confident as many higher-priced, larger sedans.
Beyond its roominess and a lengthy list of standard features, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra gets top safety ratings. It also has a 10-year engine warranty, the best in the automotive industry.
There’s no downside as long as the Elantra is accepted for what it is. It has a lot attributes greater than its status as a compact. But it is 128-horsepower sedan it would fare particularly well in performance tests.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes
Spacious interior for the segment. Quality interior and exterior construction. Superior gas mileage.
Dislikes
Mediocre acceleration.
What Others Say
“The 2017 Hyundai Elantra’s overall quality, though, has taken another step forward. With a starting price of $17,985, compact-car buyers should take it seriously.” Automobile Magazine.
“To us, there’s no doubt that the latest Elantra is among the best compact cars on the market, and it definitely deserves a place on your shopping list.” AutoTrader.com.
“This refreshed compact, this mini-Sonata, isn’t going to generate a lot of headlines, but it’s a major improvement to a key player in Hyundai‘s lineup. Caranddriver.com.
2017 Hyundai Elantra Verdict
“Hyundai keeps improving, year after year. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is arguably the best car $21,000 can buy.”
Facts & Figures: 2017 Hyundai Elantra
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | Slightly less than $21,000 |
| Engine | 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 128 hp |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 32 city / 40 highway / 35 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
