2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

Apr 23, 2024, 9:39am ET

The Elantra GT is a five-door hatchback borrowed from Hyundai's European lineup, where it's known as the i30. In America, the Elantra GT is positioned as a more versatile alternative to the Elantra sedan with better driving dynamics than a typical small SUV.

Recent changes

The Elantra GT enters its second model year with no noteworthy updates.

Overview

Related in name only to the Elantra sedan, the Elantra GT is actually nine-inches shorter than its sedan counterpart. The Elantra GT is slightly narrower, too. But despite those dimensional differences, the Elantra GT's versatile hatchback design offers nearly four-times the cargo space of the Elantra sedan (up to 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded).

As with the previous version of the five-door, the Elantra GT's interior is largely unrelated to that of the Elantra sedan. The Elantra GT has a decidedly more European vibe with bolder styling cues. Unique features include a sports steering wheel, floating center display screen and a more curvaceous dashboard.

Positioned as the athlete of the Elantra lineup, the Elantra GT boasts an available four-wheel independent suspension, quicker steering and four-wheel disc brakes. Base GT models are powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine good for 161 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The up-level GT Sport use a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder rated at 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Elantra GT buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission; GT Sport buyers can opt for a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All versions of the Elantra GT use front-wheel drive.

The Elantra GT's sportiness and cargo space does put a slight ding in economy, however. The Elantra GT six-speed manual is rated at just 23mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway, netting a combined average of 26mpg. Opting for the six-speed auto bumps those figures to 24/32/27mpg city/highway/combined. The higher-performance Elantra GT Sport is rated at 22/29/25mpg with a manual and 26/32/28mpg with the optional seven-speed dual clutch. In comparison, the Elantra sedan is capable of up returning up to 33mpg in combined driving.

Standard and optional features

All Elantra GT models comes standard with all the amenities you'd expect to find in a modern automobile, including air conditioning, power windows and locks, rear view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, an eight-inch display screen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Two optional packages are available for the Elantra GT. The available Style Package upgrades the Elantra GT with blind spot detection, lane change assist, proximity key with push button start, 4.2-inch TFT gauge display, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. A Tech Package is also available and adds LED headlights, leather seats, panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake, larger rear disc brakes, navigation, Hyundai's Blue Link connected car service, wireless charging pad and Infinity premium audio.

The Elantra GT Sport trim includes many of the base car's optional extras as standard, including LED headlights, proximity key with push button start, lane change assist, blind spot detection, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch TFT gauge display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic parking brake and rear console vent. A Tech Package is available for the Elantra GT Sport and includes navigation, panoramic sunroof, Blue Link, ventilated front seats, power driver's seat, Infinity premium audio, wireless charging pad, smart cruise control, automatic braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, high-beam assist and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Occupant safety

All Elantra GT models come standard with dual front, side and side-curtain airbags in addition to a driver's knee airbag, traction and stability control systems, brake assist and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Key competitors

The Hyundai Elantra GT competes in a compact hatchback segment that also includes the Volkswagen Golf, Mazda Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla iM and Subaru Impreza.