In an effort to combat higher fuel prices, not to mention a nationwide emphasis on purchasing more eco-friendly cars, Hyundai has tweaked its popular Elantra sedan to eke out an extra 2 mpg on the highway for the new Elantra Blue trim package.
Priced from $14,145 and only available with a five-speed manual transmission, the Elantra Blue is the cheapest of its rivals, although it can’t quite topple the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE’s class-leading 37 mpg rating despite its modifications.
A so-called “ smart ” alternator, reduced friction components underhood, engine calibration adjustments and new gear ratios for the five-speed manual transmission help boost the highway rating from 33 mpg to 35 mpg. City fuel economy rises 2 mpg to 26 mpg.
Some of the changes carry over to the rest of the lineup, including base GLS and higher-trim SE models, which see single mpg improvements for their variants – now rated at 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. GLS and SE are only available with automatic transmissions for 2010.
The $14,145 Elantra Blue doesn’t skimp much on standard equipment; six airbags, ABS, active head restraints, power heated mirrors, power windows, power locks, keyless entry and a split-folding rear seatback are all standard. A $1,700 Comfort Package adds air conditioning, an upgraded CD audio system with XM and MP3 capability, cruise control and an auxiliary iPod input.
So equipped, the Elantra Blue runs about $1,000 less than an almost identical Elantra GLS automatic.
