The interior of the Elantra Eco is sharp and functional.
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Fast facts
- Model: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco - Exterior color: Quartz White Pearl - Interior color: Gray - Engine: 1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbo - Horsepower: 128 - Transmission: seven-speed, dual-clutch - Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway 32 mpg city - Local Dealer: Long Hyundai - Price (as tested): $21,610
While Americans were distracted by shiny, compact SUVs; some so-called "economy cars" got astonishingly good.
For less than $22,000 Chattanoogans can purchase a sedan with top safety scores, a 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating, a turbocharged engine, a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and such standard amenities as heated seats, keyless ignition, dual zone climate control and a blind-spot monitoring system.
Wow.
That's the basket of goodies you get with the new 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco, a twist on Hyundai's successful economy model.
Mike Nichols, sales manager at Long Hyundai on International Drive, says his store has just started receiving Elantra Ecos. They have sold one and have more on the way, he said.
When the redesigned Elantra hit the streets earlier this year, we tested the top-of-the-line Limited edition. Now comes the mid-trim Eco which sells for about $1,700 less than the Limited but has a more responsive power-train and offers slightly better fuel economy.
Most Elantras are powered by a 2.0-liter, normally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, while the Eco gets Hyundai's new 1.4-liter turbo engine that churns out 156 pound-feet of torque. It also has a more sophisticated seven-speed, dual clutch automatic transmission that helps stretch fuel economy to 40 mpg highway.
Our Eco tester, which stickers for $20,650 (plus $835 freight), slots between the base SE ($17,150) and the Limited ($22,350). In our view, the Eco is the best overall choice - a perfect first car for a new college graduate or an active retiree looking for reliable, comfortable transpor- tation.
Fuel economy is the gift that keeps on giving. The government estimates average annual fuel costs for an Elantra Eco owner will be about $1,050 - based on $2.45-per-gallon gas. Official fuel economy estimates are 40 mpg highway, 32 mpg city and 35 mpg combined.
STYLING AND FEATURES
Our test car features Quartz White Pearl exterior paint and a gray interior - a neutral combination that will help boost the sedan's resale value. (When reselling a car - as when reselling a house - neutral colors are best.)
The Elantra's curb appeal is amplified by a front view that shows off its elegant five-bar grill and boomerang shaped LED running lights. Fifteen-inch wheels with beefy all-season tires may look like throwbacks to the 1990s, but actually improve ride quality over the low-profile tires more prevalent today.
Overall, the Elantra is much less swoopy than the previous generation car, but its buttoned-down design and crisp body lines promise to age well.
Inside, the Eco is utilitarian but attractive, in a "less-is-more" kind of way. The cloth-covered seats are sensible and designed to wipe clean. The dash is uncluttered and features a standard seven-inch, high-resolution touchscreen that frames the standard back-up camera, satellite radio functions and smartphone interfaces. Gauges are monochromatic and easy to read.
Interior room is impressive. However, my 15-year-old son did struggle some to brush his hair in the front passenger's seat, as head-room is not over-abundant.
The standard six-speaker audio system is more potent than you'd expect from a stock unit. And a hands-free, smart trunk is a nice touch for when you are shopping for groceries.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The most important upgrades in the Elantra Eco are mechanical. The 1.4-liter turbo is a remarkably potent - and efficient - little engine. While the engine's displacement is small, the Elantra's torque-to-curb-weight ratio makes this sedan surprisingly swift.
Only a few years ago, a three-setting driving-mode feature was only available in luxury performance sedans. The Elantra brings the feature, which adjusts steering effort and throttle response, to the masses. In "Sport" mode, the Elantra Eco launches with more composure and less turbo lag. In "Eco" mode you can track the fuel gauge on its lazy journey from "full" to "empty."
As we noted before, the ride quality of the Elantra is surprisingly good. There is a fair amount of tire noise, though. Driving across the rippled pavement of Olgiati Bridge creates a sound like a muffled drum roll. On smooth pavement, meanwhile, the Elantra Eco is as quiet as any non-electric small car we have ever tested.
BOTTOM LINE
The Elantra Eco packs so much goodness that it represents a compelling value in the segment. It has also grown enough to be technically classified as a mid-size sedan. With its low price and high content, the Eco hits the sweet spot in the Elantra line-up and the soft spot in our heart.
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.