First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

A European spin on a popular Korean compact.

by Joseph Szczesny on Aug.08, 2012

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT.

After scoring a hit with its latest compact sedan, the Elantra, Hyundai is aiming to broaden the nameplate’s appeal with two spin-offs, the Elantra Turbo and the even sportier Elantra GT.
The maker has good reason to want to expand the line-up, considering Elantra’s success in the U.S. market. The base car won the coveted North American Car of the Year award, last January, and Hyundai has ever since been struggling to meet demand. If anything, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT could put the model in even shorter supply.

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The GT is more than just a tarted-up version of the current Hyundai Elantra sedan. It features a distinctive hatchback body originally developed for Europe, where it is sold as the i30. The version we’ll get here is largely the same motorists can buy in London or Berlin – though Hyundai has softened the suspension a bit for American tastes.

The Hyundai Elantra GT is an Americanized version of the i30 model sold in Europe.

The Elantra GT is shorter and more subtle than its current sedan sibling even though it flowed from the same school of exterior design. The five-door silhouette is set off by Hyundai’s trademark hexagonal front fascia, laid back headlamps, flares fenders around the 17-inch wheel and a unique treatment of the hatchback rear that nicely sets off the vehicle.
The vehicle’s exterior is matched by a nicely appointed interior that is both comfortable and put together so it looks as if it could fit into a more expensive vehicle. For starters, the interior is more spacious on the inside than a comparable compact built six or seven years ago, which is generally how long people keep a vehicle nowadays.

The hatchback GT delivers a roomier and more lavishly equipped interior than many compact buyers might expect.

The Elantra GT also comes with a long and impressive list of comfort and convenience features such as trip computer, power windows and door locks, 12-volt outlet, lower storage box in the center console, vanity mirror, proximity key to open the doors and a cabin air filter. Optional features include alloy petals and leather accents.
A 7-inch, touch-screen navigation system with a back-up camera is also available and Bluetooth is standard on Elantra GT as well a audio system with multiple speakers, MP3 and UBS connections as well as a good old-fashioned CD player.
The GT also comes with a host of safety features, including a full-complement of air bags to protect the occupants in a front-or side-impact collision as well as a tire pressure monitoring system traction control, electronic stability control, brake assist as well as anti-lock brakes.

The GT's 1.8-liter I-4 makes 148 hp.

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT is powered by a 1.8-liter,four cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 131 foot pounds of torque, giving the car a very nice power-to-weight ratio. Both the engine block and cylinder head are made from aluminum and Hyundai also used other pieces from its engine-builders tool kit such as variable valve time and an offset crankshaft to add power to the vehicle.
The engine is matched up with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission tuned for sportier driving. The GT isn’t the fastest off the line but it has a generally more aggressive feel than the standard-issue Elantra sedan and most of the segment’s key competitors.
Equipped with a manual transmission, the Elantra GT will get 39 miles per gallon on the highway. But even with the six-speed automatic transmission it delivers 28 miles per gallon in city driving and 39 miles per gallon on the highway, which is pretty good by contemporary standards and better than rivals such as the Honda Civic Coupe.

The Elantra GT should expand the appeal of the compact Hyundai line.

If we have any real complaint it’s the decision by Hyundai not to bring the GT’s European suspension to North America because the maker felt it would be too stiff and too hard for U.S. buyers. But American tastes are evolving and the five-door with a stiffer suspension would have quickly found an audience, I suspect.
Hyundai did a credible job with the Elantra GT’s electric power steering to give the driver a better feel for the road. But the hatchback’s ride and handling don’t quite measure up yet to the promise made by the Elantra’s strong design and excellent, fuel-efficient engine.
Despite our reservations, we were impressed by the car and think potential buyers will be, as well.
Overall, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, with a starting price of $18,395, underscores the fact the South Korean automaker builds very good affordable vehicles that are appealing to both younger and older buyers, looking for a car that is both stylish and economical.