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2021 Hyundai Elantra Limited - Review by Mark Fulmer


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An Affordable and Value Added Sedan

Mark Fulmer
THE AUTO CHANNEL


The North American Car of the Year is the all-new seventh-generation Elantra compact sedan. With good looks, good tech, and a great sticker price which goes from $19,650 to $28,100 for the Hybrid Limited, it's giving sedan car buyers a real choice.


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Hyundai designers call its look "Sensuous Sportiness" and I must admit that at first glance the crease line down the side looked like the result of a strange accident. But as I took in all of the surfaces I liked the unique look. Variety is a good thing in cars. There are plenty of swoopy, curvey vehicles, so it is encouraging that some folks are thinking outside the box.


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Hyundai's 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson Cycle engine puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque to the front axle which yields an EPA estimated 33/43/37 mpg city/highway/combined. Its zero to 60 time is 7.5 seconds. The independent rear suspension gives the Elantra a solid ride. On freeways the Intelligent Variable Transmission keeps the fuel economy high as well as the normal driving mode. In town I used the Sport mode for increased agility and delightful low end torque. You may have noticed in the photo above that there is actual space to easily reach parts which will please do-it-yourselfers who like to do their own routine service (as well as keeping th price down on mechanic service and repairs.


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"It looks like a space ship!" exclaimed a 25 year old passenger of the interior with its long sleek lines that incorporate the gauges and infotainment clusters. The new Elantra has available an all-flatscreen instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and the optional Digital Key technology allows the driver to use a smartphone to access the car or operate functions like the remote start. It also allows the vehicle to be remotely started and the climate control to be programmed using Amazon and Google smart home devices.


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The sedan has 38 inches of legroom for the backseaters, much appreciated by 6 foot plus passengers. The sedan’s back seats have as much or even more room than many current mid-sized sedans.


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The new Elantra has raised the bar for sedans, so you really cannot afford to leave it off your test drive list.