Latest Elantra handles well

While most of the changes are cosmetic improvements, there are a few with practical implications. One of these would be that the new audio system has integrated Bluetooth.

There have also been slight adjustments to the electric power steering. The latest incarnation is more direct than I remember when first driving the previous setup. But that was some time ago.

The ride and handling are good, bearing in mind the Elantra is a multipurpose commuter and family car that does what it is designed to do well.

The latest Elantra is slightly longer. The bumpers have grown 5mm in the front and 15mm at the rear, but the wheelbase remains exactly the same.

The lightweight, all-aluminium 1.6 litre Gamma MPI four-cylinder is the only engine now used for the Elantra, equipped with D-CVVT to provide power output of 96 kW and 157 Nm.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 6.4 litres per 100km on the manual, while the automatic version recorded 6,9 litres per 100km in a combined test cycle.

Included in the price of the 2014 Elantra is Hyundai’s five-year/150 000km warranty, with five-year/150 000km roadside assistance adding further peace of mind. A five-year/90 000km service plan is also part of the standard package. Service intervals are 15 000km.

Price:

> Elantra 1.6 Premium (manual) R247 900

> Elantra 1.6 Premium (automatic) R262 900