The 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is a lot of car for a base price under $20,000. It’s a four door hatchback compact packaged with a 2.0L GDI DOHC 16-value inline 4-cylinder engine pumping out 173 horses matted with either a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC ® or a 6-speed manual transmission (less $1,000). Hyundai keeps it simple with the Elantra GT. It only comes with two transmission choices and two package options. With the manual transmission only the style package is available (add $1975) and with the automatic transmission you may choose the style package as well as the tech package (add $3950). The test car I drove came with the automatic transmission and both option packages for a total sticker price of $26,675.
The Elantra GT is appropriately powered for its weight and size, but doesn’t provide the zip that I have seen in some of its competitors. I would like to see Hyundai kick up the horsepower a bit and/or add a turbo similar to that of the VW Golf GTI. While it will get you where you are going and you have plenty of power to pass that semi-truck on the highway, you aren’t going to beat anyone off the line. Of course if you are looking for a reliable stylish compact and don’t see yourself heading to the track anytime soon, this car will do the trick nicely for a very affordable price.
With both option packages included, the Elantra is very well equipped for a car priced in the mid-twenties. Its unfortunate that Hyundai doesn’t allow you to choose the tech package with the manual shift transmission as I think that would increase the drivability of this car but yet still provide all of the creature comforts you want and expect in the cabin. I would like to be able to manually shift my transmission while still enjoying nav, rearview camera, a panoramic sunroof, dual zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. This is America, after all; the land of endless choices and optionality.
