Agile Sport Sedan with Euro-Styling
Thank you, Hyundai. For what? Let’s start with keeping the manual transmission alive and putting it into a fun and stylish sport sedan that is also very affordable. Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport with the six-speed manual transmission. We begrudgingly handed back the keys after appreciating what a nice car we were driving that can be had for about $23,500.
Driving Experience: On the Road
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport, with the six-speed manual transmission, has a turbocharged 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, putting-out 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The EPA fuel economy rating is 22 city/30 highway/25 combined, but in 254 miles of 75-percent highway/25-percent city driving throughout Southern California, we averaged 27.2 miles per gallon (mpg). However, in a 175-mile highway run, with the cruise control set at 65 mph, we achieved 32.3 mpg. We were impressed with our self-restraint, as exceeding the EPA numbers means we weren’t hot rodding this sports sedan all the time.
Zero-to-60 times were right around seven seconds, where the best times were by taking first gear to 15 mph and second to 30 mph, and then getting into 3rd and 4th gears as soon as possible. The torque pulled strong in the 1,500-4,000 rpm range, taking advantage of no turbo lag and an engine that loves to be revved to the 7,000 rpm redline. Fifth gear also pulls well, and 6th is for maxing-out the fuel economy. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.
The six-speed manual welcomes being driven hard through gears. The clutch was a bit soft, but all shifts were positive with the gears easy to find. The sport-tuned suspension and the manual makes it fun taking twisty esses in the 25-40 mph (or as much as 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit) range, where the engine and gearbox don’t let you down. Third gear was our favorite for the broad range of speeds it could handle, as well as having the ability to wind-out for maximum acceleration and performance. The Hankook Ventus 225/40 tires on 18-inch rims offered both good grip and a quiet freeway ride.
Driving Experience: Exterior and Interior
Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Elantra Sport is a great-looking compact sedan. The sculpted body panels and the LED lights make for an attractive combination. Add-in the restrained use of chrome and the Elantra Sport has a decidedly upscale look. The power, tilt and slide sunroof is standard on the Sport model.
Clean Fleet Report has spent a considerable amount of time in different Hyundai models, noticing how clean and simple the interiors are designed. The dashes have logically laid-out controls and knobs, as in having a volume and channel knob for the radio, and one each for the fan speed and temperature control. Simple and easy to understand.
Soft touch materials are interspersed with hard plastic, with the subtle use of chrome accents giving the dash, door panels and center console a feeling of quality. Even the judicious use of faux carbon fiber added a nice touch. The large, round speed and tach gauges with black backgrounds and white numbers are extremely easy to read and all within easy reach of the driver.
Clean Fleet Report’s Elantra Sport’s seats came with red top stitching that popped against the black leather. The front seats were heated, with the driver getting six-way adjustments. There were no lumbar adjustments, but the padding and thigh bolstering were ample so as to not induce fatigue on long drives. The center armrest is positioned nicely and the 12V, USB and Aux ports are conveniently located at the base of the center stack.
The Elantra Sport seats five passengers, but two in the rear seat would be more comfortable on longer trips. The flat-folding 60/40 split rear seat also had a fold down armrest, with cup holders. When folded flat, storage was just what two would want on a long weekender.
The six-speaker infotainment (information and entertainment) system included a 7.0-inch high-resolution color touchscreen for the AM/FM/CD/MP3/AUX radio. Features include SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, with a flat bottom, has mounted controls for Bluetooth that offers hands-free telephone, voice and radio controls.
Our Elantra Sport came equipped with cruise control, power windows and door locks, keyless start and entry, power and heated side mirrors with turn signals, dual automatic climate control with rear vents, and a tilt and telescopic steering column.
Safety
The 2019 Elantra Sport has safety features of seven airbags, four-wheel power disc ABS braking system, a tire pressure monitoring system and a temporary spare tire. For security there was a remote panic alarm. The Elantra Sport came standard with blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear view camera, stability and traction control systems, and brake and lane change assist.
In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the 2019 Elantra received four stars (five stars is their highest rating), while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Elantra its top safety pick for overall crash protection.
Pricing and Warranties
Clean Fleet Report’s 2019 Elantra Sport with the six-speed manual transmission and optional carpeted floor mats ($125), had a MSRP of $22,725. This price excludes the $920 freight and handling charge.
The 2019 Elantra comes with these warranties:
Powertrain – 120 months/100,000 miles
New Car – 60 months/60,000 miles
Anti-perforation – 84 months/Unlimited miles
Roadside Assistance – 60 monthd/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2019 Elantra Sport with the six-speed manual
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport delivers more fun and standard driver safety technology than would be expected for a car costing under $24,000. It has class-leading style and offers spirited driving in a comfortable long-range road trip car.
Hyundai announced in July 2019 that manual transmissions were being dropped in 2020 for the Elantra Sport, and one of the three Veloster models. We are big fans of the Veloster as you can read here, and our experience in this review of the 2019 Elantra Sport only reinforces how much we love, and need, manual transmissions.
The move to automatic transmissions is not unique to Hyundai, as even exotics such as Ferrari and Lamborghini have made the move to semi-automatics for efficiency and faster launch times. So, if owning a sporty coupe with a clutch is on your bucket list, don’t wait too much longer (we’ve listed some of the remaining manual options below).
When visiting your Hyundai dealer insist on taking a test drive where the sales associate will let you push it hard on corners and through the gears. Prediction: fun ahead and an Elantra Sport in your driveway.
Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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