I love getting to try cars from companies like Hyundai, because you get to see them tweaking, adjusting, and improving every year. The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe was a pleasure to drive and the 2013 Elantra GT was a total blast. This is a fabulous hatchback with room for kids and life but keeps you looking cool at the same time.
I have a bit of a lead foot so it was a pleasure to drive a car that responded to my – em – style of driving. The Elantra GT has this ‘Selectable Steering’ with three modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Sport gives you that ‘heavier, you are in command’ style, while Comfort helps with parking and so on. Toss in the stability control and this is a car you can drive with confidence on most types of road conditions, especially what Vancouver can toss at you.
The model I drove was fully loaded with a gorgeous sun roof. With that and the HUGE windshield, I didn’t feel like I was driving in a smaller car. It feels light and airy. This feeling keeps going with the roominess. The back seat does not feel cramped (I believe it is built on the sedan frame, so that explains that). But the kids told me that even with Tara’s car seat in the middle they had plenty of space. The cargo space is great too. More than enough for groceries, pets and sundry school supplies.
These days, going a bit smaller with your vehicle choice isn’t all about saving money on the sticker, it is about saving money at the gas station too. Hyundai has the choice of switching on ‘ActiveECO’ for up to 7% more fuel efficiency, depending on the conditions. Add that to the peppy 148 horsepower 6 speed transmission and you go longer between fill ups. While I wasn’t doing bit long road trips in the car, I was using it every day and still barely made a dent in the gas tank.
This is a nice looking car inside and out. Leather might cost a bit more than the base models, but I think with kids especially, it is worth it. I also love keyless entry and push button starts……one less thing to deal with when strapping kids into seats. Like all modern cars, the Bluetooth and hands free calling is now a must. The Hyundai navigation and console are easy and intuitive to use.
I am still a fan of ‘taller’ and bigger vehicles, but for the price point and fuel economy along with the added value of good cargo space, this is a car that I could easily picture myself and my family in.
[…] that has never been on my radar, but I will admit to really enjoying the drive. I have tested out older models and you can see how this car gets better every year. It is a good solid car and it got us through […]