The all new 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT is already set to arrive at the dealership this spring, just in time to take on the Chevrolet Cruze hatch and Honda Civic hatch. The new model will highlight an updated powertrain and a new look that differs it from the other entries in the Hyundai lineup.
Hyundai says that the new design was base on the next-generation, Hyundai i30, which was outlined with European styling. The new model skips the horizontal-slatted grill of the previous model and uses a brand new cascading grille design. The automaker also added that the new GT is wider, lower and longer than the previous generation.
The 2018 Elantra GT is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 162 hp, which dropped from 173 hp in the outgoing engine. A six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission are also available.
The new GT’s interior offers leather seats, alloy pedals, and a dual-zone climate control. Additionally, infotainment system gets an eight-inch screen and offers navigation, upgraded Infinity sound system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
It also comes with other technological goodies that include Hyundai’s Blue Link system, which can remotely start the car, and run the rear defroster and heat the side mirrors. It’s designed to be compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, which allows the driver to ask an Alexa-enabled device, to start the car.
Hyundai also improved the car’s driving dynamics. Its structure uses almost double the amount of high-strength steel and is 22 percent more rigid and weighs 61 pounds less in the body-in-white form.
On the GT’s safety front, it’s equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and as well as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Hyundai didn’t disclosed any details about the car’s price and on-sale dates. But expect the 2018 Elantra GT to start in the low $20,000.
