Having owned the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, I am quite familiar with the vehicle and its features. Here, we have the 2015 Hyundai Elantra Limited (sedan) which I got to drive around town for a week. A decade ago, if you wanted a vehicle of this class one would usually consider something like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or the Nissan Sentra but times have changed. Everywhere I look, I see Hyundai’s of all sizes cruising around and it’s easy to see why. Quality, reliability, and pricing.
The 2015 Elantra we test drove has a starting price of $25,649 and features a 2.0-Liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine producing a 173 horsepower, 154 pound feet of torque, and the power is delivered via a six-speed automatic transmission. Other models offered by Hyundai include the basic L, the GL in Automatic/Manual, GL with Sport Appearance Package, and the GLS in automatic and manual.
Compared to my 2013 Elantra, the new 2015 model is a lot more refined when it comes to throttle response, power delivery, and the overall smoothness of the driving experience. The Hyundai Elantra also happens to be one of the best looking in its class with its sleek styling, smart interior, and all the options one could possibly need. The new model gets a minor revision of the front and rear fascias, rear diffuser, fog lamps, as well as a redesign of the alloy wheels. Our test vehicle also featured projector headlights with LED accents and featured LED taillights. If you’re looking for a vehicle which gets you value, lots of features, decent power, and a reasonable price then the 2015 Elantra should be on top of your list.
While driving, one of the things that caught my attention was the fuel economy. I was able to achieve 9.7L/100km in the city and 6.6L/100km on the 2.0-liter engine which beats my 2013 model with a 1.8-liter engine (10L/100km combined). A feature many may like is Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode system which provides the driver with three different operating modes (Normal, Comfort, and Sport). Steering response can be adjusted with a push of a button on the steering wheel allowing you to adapt to the various road conditions whether driving in the city or at higher speeds on the highway.
When idling, I did notice that the engine was a bit on the loud side and it’s the same situation with my personal 2013 Elantra GT. But this complain doesn’t only apply to the Elantra but pretty much every single car that uses direct injection and is a common pattern. But once up to speed, everything is normal. The suspension on the Elantra Limited is stiff but still comfortable enough for your everyday driving. The 173 horsepower is plentiful and getting up to speed when merging onto the highway is a breeze.
When it comes to safety, the Hyundai Elantra has you covered. The vehicle features six airbags: Advanced Dual Front, Front Seat-mounted Side-impact, and Roof-mounted Side-curtain. The car is also equipped with ABS brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System in place. All these systems help you keep the car pointed in the right direction during fast cornering and in slippery road conditions. The vehicle also features four-wheel disc brakes.
The interior of the vehicle is quite nice and well appointed. My one and only complaint about the interior of the vehicle is the door handle on the inside which gets in the way of the buttons that control the locks and windows. It’s an awkward position for the hand and wrist when playing with those buttons. The door handle on the 2013 model is situated above the buttons and remains out of the way. Besides that minor complaint, I love the interior of the Hyundai Elantra. The seven-inch touch-screen navigation is responsive and the number of buttons on the dashboard have been reduced. The vehicle also features AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 Player with six speakers.
The backup camera it came with was very helpful since the sloped roof and rear windows created a bit of a blind spot. An unexpected surprise on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra Limited was the rear heated seats which is a feature most vehicles in this class don’t have. Another nice and useful feature is its proximity entry and push-button start, meaning you never have to take your keys out of your pockets or purse. The driver’s seat is an eight-way power adjustable seat with lumbar support and all seats have leather seating surfaces. The steering wheel and gear shifter knob are also wrapped in leather.
There honestly are too many options to go through but a few other useful features include Bluetooth, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink, and USB and Auxiliary input jacks.
Overall, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra Limited is a fantastic car with loads of features and at a price point that most can handle. I personally prefer the GT version (hatchback) in terms of looks but everything else should be the same. If you’re looking to purchase a compact vehicle, I would highly recommend considering the Hyundai Elantra as one of your options. You won’t be disappointed.
