The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is seen Tuesday, March 5, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.Fast facts
' Model: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited ' Exterior color: Phantom Black ' Interior color: Black ' Engine: 2.0-liter, four cylinder ' Horsepower: 147 ' Transmission: six-speed automatic ' Fuel economy: 37 mpg highway, 28 mpg city ' Local Dealer: Long Hyundai ' Price (as tested): $27,710 ' Local Dealership: Long Hyundai, International Drive
A television commercial for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra features a terrified couple running through the woods while being chased by two salivating black bears.
The woman is screaming and the man is charging through the underbrush. Luckily, their new Hyundai Elantra sedan comes with a remote-start feature which can be activated via a smartphone app. So, while they are still on the run, the two crank the Elantra, then drive off and escape the hungry bears. Just bear-ly. (Sorry.)
The moral of this story: Driving a new Elantra would have made life a lot easier for Goldilocks. But even if "wild bear evasion" is not on your must-have list of automobile options, the new Elantra is worth a look.
With the 2017 Elantra redesign, Hyundai has traded flash for class. Gone are the daring body lines and smiling fascia that marked the 5th-generation Elantra. The 2017 model, technically a mid-size car, has been redesigned with a more conservative profile and a new hex grille that looks more like a snarl than a smile. All the better to scare bears away, right?
Mike Nichols, sales manager of Long Hyundai on International Drive in Chattanooga, says the Elantra is his dealership's best seller and it appeals to buyers at both ends of the age spectrum.
"We sell them to young people going off to college and retirees looking for good gas mileage," he said. "They've done a good job with the new design. The addition of Apple CarPlay has been a plus."
Our Limited trim tester in shimmering Phantom Black paint has hints of Ford Fusion and Aston Martin. The new Elantra starts at $17,150 for a base model, but quickly jumps to $27,710 for our fully loaded tester.
View other Test Drive stories by Mark Kennedy
Looking for a used or new car?
STYLING AND FEATURES
The new Elantra looks more grown up and buttoned down, with fewer meandering character lines. Like the larger Hyundai Sonota, the Elantra has a crisp, sophisticated vibe. The large hexagonal grille and crescent-shaped LED running-light clusters are smart upgrades.
The car's horizontal lines are less busy than before, and a spoiler integrated into the rear deck give the car's rump some visual lift. The roof line tapers elegantly.
Hyundai has made abundant use of high-strength steel and aircraft-quality adhesives to give the 2017 Elantra a rigid frame that pays dividends in handling and cabin isolation. The Elantra is one of the quietest cars we've tested in this class.
Under the hood there's a new 147 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine, a slight upgrade in both displacement and horsepower. A budget model with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine making 128 horsepower is also available. An optional six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive.
Inside, Hyundai has upgraded materials and simplified the cockpit design. The dash has a nice, horizontal flow that makes the cabin feel roomier than before. Seats are clad in high quality leather, and both front and back seats include derriere warmers.
A $2,500 tech package includes navigation, Apple's CarPlay interface, eight-speaker Infinity audio, a power sun roof and a 4.2-inch dash display. For $1,900 more you can get a package with lots of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-integrity system.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The peppy little 2.0-liter motor is especially responsive in Sport mode. There's also an ECO mode that sips gas but numbs the throttle and relaxes the transmission's shift points. Personally, I'd only use ECO mode if gas were $5 a gallon or I was about to run out of gas.
The Hyundai's emergency braking system, which can even detect pedestrians, is a crucial safety feature - especially for the inexperienced driver. It didn't activate during our week of driving - thankfully - but imagine the value of avoiding an accident avoiding a pedestrian, or a child. In the future, look for this feature to be nearly universal in the auto world. (Remember when air bags and anti-lock brakes were options?)
Refinement is the word that comes to mind after a week behind the wheel. From carpools to commutes, the Elantra performed its duties well.
BOTTOM LINE
As a value proposition, the Elantra is a sweet deal. With its 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and its 33-miles-per combined city/highway fuel economy, the Hyundai is still a card-carrying economy car; while its refined manners and design sophistication suggest a much pricier ride.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.