[Drewberry]

Figured I would start a thread for prospect buyers of an Elantra Sport, to give an honest owners perspective review into my 1 month, 1k mile ownership.

The Elantra sport really puts itself in a niche segment of compact buyers. Considering it's closest rival the Volkswagen GLI has a starting price of nearly 6k higher, there isn't much around to compare it to.
Actually, the Elantra is the cheapest new sedan with over 200hp.

The good: needing only 87 octane, it is pretty easy on the wallet at the pump.
I'm completely killing EPA estimates for the manual, right now I'm at 29mpg combined in the 6MT.
Power is actually pretty surprising and it does not ever feel underpowered or leave me wanting more, even coming from a Mazdaspeed. It isn't "fast" but is definitely an easy cushion into the realm of more boring commuter cars.
The shifter is one of the best non Honda manuals I've ever driven.
The tech for the $ is pretty good.
The car definitely looks good. Reminds me of an a3/s3 with a more Mercedes style front end.
Dealer incentives make it even more affordable.

The bad:
No lsd.
Handling is NOT comparable even to a base mazda3.
The stock tires are awful.
Road noise is not great. Going over semi rough roads you can really hear every rock hitting the wheel well.
The brakes feel very computer regulated. I don't think they are not capable, but they are not the best modulated.
Overall very impressed with the car. Would really recommend over a civic sport or gli if money is a big factor in your purchase.

How are you Guys liking or disliking your sports? Agree or disagree with anything?

 

[Deep6]

I think your pretty spot on... No LSD stinks but it's not a game changer. I think the car handles fairly well. And I don't have the same feeling with the brakes. I am getting 33mpg mixed city/ highway. My last trip this weekend which was 2 hour round trip through city and bigger city roads ( not technically a highway) I averaged 36mpg. I also have the 6mt, but living in flat Florida might help those numbers. All in all, I am very pleased with this car and love to drive it. I will have had it for 2 months this Sunday and have 1900 miles on it.

 

[R1600Turbo]

The only other competitor I could think of (mainly because I work for Nissan) is the Sentra NISMO, but it starts at over $25k. Though with that car you get less power, worse shifter, Suede seats, slightly less technology, only 4 color choices (white, silver, grey, black) and a torsion beam rear suspension. I waited years for that car since they showed the concept in 2013, and when I saw the direction they were going, my focus shifted to the Elantra Sport. Now having driven both, I can say the Elantra is better by miles. I just built one on their website with the 6MT, premium package and floor mats and it was over $27k.

 

[Deep6]

The only other competitor I could think of (mainly because I work for Nissan) is the Sentra NISMO, but it starts at over $25k. Though with that car you get less power, worse shifter, Suede seats, slightly less technology, only 4 color choices (white, silver, grey, black) and a torsion beam rear suspension. I waited years for that car since they showed the concept in 2013, and when I saw the direction they were going, my focus shifted to the Elantra Sport. Now having driven both, I can say the Elantra is better by miles. I just built one on their website with the 6MT, premium package and floor mats and it was over $27k.

I loved Nissan's, my first car was a 2004 sentra SE-R Spec-v, then I had a 2006 Altima SE-R. Bought my wife a 2016 sentra SR back in September. Was pretty dissapointed in the nismo though.

 

[Drewberry]

Yea the Sentra turbo (if you even consider it competition) and the civic sport are close as well. But personally, the civic is down on power and big time down on tech if you go for the manual. Cloth seats, no sunroof, etc etc. but they are roughly the same price. There was also not 1 manual civic sport within 75 miles of me when I was car shopping.

 

[Voodoo Idol]

Heh. I'm averaging 33 mpg in the manual.

 

[R1600Turbo]

Yea the Sentra turbo (if you even consider it competition) and the civic sport are close as well.

There is the Sentra SR Turbo with a similar MSRP ($21.5k), but even though it's the same power as the NISMO, it's down on features and even further off from the Elantra Sport.

 

[Drewberry]

There is the Sentra SR Turbo with a similar MSRP ($21.5k), but even though it's the same power as the NISMO, it's down on features and even further off from the Elantra Sport.

I just can't get over the looks. I don't know how capable the car is as a sporty-ish car, but it doesn't strike me as a car I would want to drive.
Actually the ES is the first Hyundai I would even consider besides the 3.8 genesis coupe, but I can't do RWD all year as I'm trying to ditch my subie and live in upstate NY.

 

[KDMSpecial]

Said it before, LSD is what they're probably holding off for a higher performance Elantra. At the rate things are moving at Hyundai, especially with the new Genesis brand, the ES we currently have is only a start!

Better start putting together your wishlist for the higher performing Elantra!

 

[R1600Turbo]

Better start putting together your wishlist for the higher performing Elantra!

I'll be keeping this car for a long time, and I think installing an LSD when available will be cheaper than buying a while new car. lol

 

[rgonaut]

Anyone have thoughts on the Steering and Gas Pedal feel. I am coming off my second Elantra, Elantra GT 6spd currently(which has a steering sensitivity adjustment). Looking hard at the sport, sedan or hatch. I test drove the sport, i really hated the steering and the pedal. My friends Abarth feels the same but his 'sport' button fixes that. It may just be how modern turbo engines react to input but seems like you can forget about having a quick downshift rev match. Still its a beautiful car, the Civic sport is a little to wild in design for me, but it seems like the 200lbs less weight makes the car feel more fun to drive and just as quick as the Elantra sport.

 

[R1600Turbo]

For me it doesn't matter if the steering and/or gas pedal feel is a little numb because I have a feeling that some suspension tweaks and a tune would fix both of those. Maybe not an option for those that don't want to modify their car though...

 

[Voodoo Idol]

Yup. Some rigid collars, a strut bar, and some springs will get that puppy right in line.

 

[rgonaut]

Issue isn't suspension or car feel. The wheel itself was so light, the suspension felt firm, but could not feel anything through the wheel, you can steer the thing with one finger. It must have to do with the electric steering, a tune can fix this and the gas pedal.

 

[MarinaBlue]

Anyone have thoughts on the Steering and Gas Pedal feel. I am coming off my second Elantra, Elantra GT 6spd currently(which has a steering sensitivity adjustment). Looking hard at the sport, sedan or hatch. I test drove the sport, i really hated the steering and the pedal. My friends Abarth feels the same but his 'sport' button fixes that. It may just be how modern turbo engines react to input but seems like you can forget about having a quick downshift rev match. Still its a beautiful car, the Civic sport is a little to wild in design for me, but it seems like the 200lbs less weight makes the car feel more fun to drive and just as quick as the Elantra sport.

For me it doesn't matter if the steering and/or gas pedal feel is a little numb because I have a feeling that some suspension tweaks and a tune would fix both of those. Maybe not an option for those that don't want to modify their car though...

Felt the steering feel was a bit light for my liking during a test drive. If I do end up buying one, a front strut brace can cure that. Noticed quite a difference on my last car

 

[solo_gen]

I came from Mazda CX-5 ('09 Lancer GTS before that), ES have subpar steering compare to either. That was my first complaint when I bought the ES.

The Noise level is ridiculous for me. I couldn't get use to it, and I thought my CX-5 was bad...

 

[R1600Turbo]

I came from Mazda CX-5 ('09 Lancer GTS before that), ES have subpar steering compare to either. That was my first complaint when I bought the ES.

The Noise level is ridiculous for me. I couldn't get use to it, and I thought my CX-5 was bad...

Sounds like you needed a longer test drive.

 

[Voodoo Idol]

Sub-par steering compared to a wonky SUV? I find that hard to believe. I've never driven a Mazda that did anything terribly well. Those autos are a pile of mediocrity aside from the Speed line and the Miata.

 

[solo_gen]

O boy, it's night and day (just Steering, NOT ride)! When they said Mazda was a driver's car, people weren't saying it for no reason. The steering is something I had to compromise on for more power with the ES.

If you ever had a chance to drive the ES and any new Mazda side by side, you will notice the difference right away.

 

[R1600Turbo]

O boy, it's night and day (just Steering, NOT ride)! When they said Mazda was a driver's car, people weren't saying it for no reason. The steering is something I had to compromise on for more power with the ES.

If you ever had a chance to drive the ES and any new Mazda side by side, you will notice the difference right away.

I agree with this.