Which 2017 Hyundai Elantra Is Right for You?
The Hyundai Elantra is well-known for being affordable, but it’s also a quality compact car with a fantastic warranty. It’s redesigned for 2017, and it’s become one of the best-kept secrets of the compact world. The biggest issue is choosing between the five trims. Each one offers something different, and one may shine amongst the rest. This overview may help you decide of the Hyundai Elantra is your next vehicle.
SE
The SE is the least expensive 2017 Hyundai Elantra with a starting MSRP of $17,150, but it may not be the best option for some drivers. It has some features that you may not find in smaller sedans at the same price point, including Bluetooth. Still, there aren’t a ton of standard features adding value to this trim. With cloth seats and air conditioning, the SE does have the basics. But it lacks a strong feature set to encourage buyers to pick it up.
The Hyundai Elantra SE is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine which produces 147 horsepower. With its fairly small engine, the SE gets an estimated 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission. It’s worth noting, though that the SE’s standard transmission is a 6-speed manual. Drivers can upgrade to an automatic for an extra $1,000.
Value Edition
The Value starts at $20,250 and is a much better option for those looking for an affordable Hyundai Elantra. This trim offers a well-curated collection of nicer features that drivers may want, without charging them for features they could live without. Some of the highlights include a hands-free smart trunk, heated side mirrors, a power sunroof, and heated front seats.
What makes the Value Edition one of the best choices is the inclusion of additional safety features. It comes standard with Blind Spot Detection with rear cross-traffic alerts and lane change assist. You also get a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Eco
The Hyundai Elantra also has an Eco trim available for $20,650. The Eco gets much better fuel economy than any other trim. It’s a hybrid, outfitted with a 128-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine. That helps it get mileage of 32 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg on the highway. The Eco removes a lot of features that come standard in the Value Edition including the sunroof, power driver seat, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. Apart from those omissions, it includes everything that the Value Edition includes.
Sport
The Hyundai Elantra Sport starts at $21,650 and has one huge appeal: speed. This trim has a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, which is capable of 201 horsepower. Despite the engine upgrade, it doesn’t suffer for fuel economy. The Sport gets up to 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
This Elantra drops some of the features you can find in other trims, including the Blind Spot Detection and lane change assist. In exchange, the trim gets side mirrors with turn-signal indicators and some significant cosmetic changes. Along with HID headlights, it also has chrome beltline molding, Sport front and rear bumper fascia, and a black headliner. Additionally, the Sport trim includes leather seating for a more luxurious feel.
Limited
The Limited is the most expensive trim at $22,350. While the engine drops back to the 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, it adds Blind Spot Detection back to the standard feature lineup. The Limited is also the only trim that allows the driver to add other safety features, at an additional cost. These optional features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and smart cruise control.
There aren’t many changes with the Limited, and most of the upgrades happen on the inside. The biggest change on the exterior is HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light, while the interior adds a power driver seat with power lumbar and three months of complimentary Blue Link Connected Care. Ultimately, the Value Edition may be the better option for some drivers, unless they are looking for a leather interior.
(All facts and figures from Hyundai. Image via Hyundai’s Facebook.)
