For the 2019 model year, Hyundai will gladly sell you a manual-transmission-equipped Elantra Sport with the 201-Horsepower 1.6-Liter GAMMA 4-cylinder. On paper, that puts the Elantra Sport in direct competition with the heavy-hitting Honda Civic Si. Read David's and J.G.'s reviews here.
Hyundai has made Elantra GTs and Sport models in some form or another over the years, but they were definitely more in the also-ran category and not considered a threat to cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI or the aforementioned Civic. With this model, Hyundai has clearly upped the ante with the 2019 refresh, especially giving it the six-speed manual option.
In 2020, the six-speed manual is no longer an option, however. Your only choice will be a seven-speed DCT with paddle shifters. We’ll let you decide which you’d rather have.
The six-speed is not the only big news with the 2019 Elantra Sport, however. The design has slightly evolved, giving the car a more upscale look; something along the lines of a baby Audi. Full LED lighting graces the Limited and Sport models, which really plays into the baby Audi vibe. Hyundai has come a long way.
And the Sport has another trick up its sleeve: It features multi-link independent rear suspension, whereas all other trim levels of the 2019 Elantra make do with the Coupled Torsion Beam Axle. The Sport also comes with 12-inch front rotors; other models are stuck with 11-inch rotors.
So a six-speed, 201 Horsepower Hyundai with multi-link rear suspension for under $24k. If you want one, don’t walk, run to your nearest Hyundai dealer.
Read David's and J.G.'s reviews here.
There's no diff though, and part of the Civic Si's magic is the diff.
MINIzguy said:
There's no diff though, and part of the Civic Si's magic is the diff.
Yup. But if you can buy an Elantra GT for $2500 less, does that even up things? (And I'm just asking.)
The lack of diff is a big downside (2019 Veloster owner here). If I could pay $2500 more for a torsen, I would :(
Also, thanks to this review I will be searching for an elantra sport shift knob, as the Veloster knob is exactly like the Si (all aluminum, like grabbing a soldering iron). I actually keep an old sock in the car to put over it in the afternoon.
Hey, someone appreciated my shift knob talk.
Yeah, the Civic's can get freaking hot.
I have thought about wrapping my Dart's shift lever with leather for the exact same reason. Large metal controls with no insulation and Southern sun don't mix.
I noticed this review had a lot more detailed commentary from the editors than many recent reviews - I like it.
The Si metal knob is too cold in the winter also. Don't try licking it if it's freezing in the car. Don't touch it with any wet part of your body. Please don't ask how I know this.
Good to see Hyundai is trying even if they have not achieved the gold standard yet. Like to see them make a miata next.
David S. Wallens said:
MINIzguy said:
There's no diff though, and part of the Civic Si's magic is the diff.
Yup. But if you can buy an Elantra GT for $2500 less, does that even up things? (And I'm just asking.)
I'm seeing the Hyundai for under $20k across the country. they have leather(or fake stuff) where the Honda has cloth and their infotainment and climate controls are much better than the Honda system. The Elantra Sport is definitely a solid choice under $20k.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I actually assumed that this was talking about the GT at first. Is there any reason not to go GT if you want a sporty Elantra? Seems like an odd yardstick to use to measure the regular one.
Keep in mind the plain Elantra GT is akin to a plain Elantra, with no turbo, torsion beam suspension, etc.
You want a GT Sport (2018) or GT N-Line (2019) to get the turbo motor and nice suspension.
CAn you get the KIA Forte5 with the better suspension?
You guys don't happen to have the VIN for that car, so you could tell me which of these knobs I need?
https://www.hyundaipartsdeal.com/parts-list/2019-hyundai-elantra-gt/shift-lever-control-mtm.html?PNC=43711A
I can't believe I would consider paying $60 for a shift knob.
RJStanford said:
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I actually assumed that this was talking about the GT at first. Is there any reason not to go GT if you want a sporty Elantra? Seems like an odd yardstick to use to measure the regular one.
No, no reason. The Elantra Sport landed in our lap for a few, so that's the one we checked out.
ProDarwin said:
You guys don't happen to have the VIN for that car, so you could tell me which of these knobs I need?
https://www.hyundaipartsdeal.com/parts-list/2019-hyundai-elantra-gt/shift-lever-control-mtm.html?PNC=43711A
I can't believe I would consider paying $60 for a shift knob.
The VIN is here on the sticker.
And if you can't read the sticker, let me know and we'll take a photo of the plate itself. I had the photo of the sticker handy; I'm not near the car at the moment.
In reply to ProDarwin :
I would see if this guy can make you one:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BasilShop
Shift knobs from old skateboards.
David S. Wallens said:
MINIzguy said:
There's no diff though, and part of the Civic Si's magic is the diff.
Yup. But if you can buy an Elantra GT for $2500 less, does that even up things? (And I'm just asking.)
That $2500 saved would make me look for a Quaife or something to throw in there, but then I'd risk losing the warranty. Can't win with Hyundai! I like them but just not enough.
I ended up buying my '17 Elantra Sport around the same time a friend bought a '17 Si. I'll agree that the Si is the clear victor in the performance arena, but neither my friend or I could drive any kind of hard bargain with the Honda dealer, so I ended up across town negotiating 5k off MSRP for my Hyundai.
We're both happy with the cars we bought. I spend a lot of time commuting, so the infotainment stuff that irked me in the Civic is far better in the Hyundai than the Honda. He works from home and rarely commutes, so the Si works as a baby hauler/occasional autocross car. (His wife vetoed a Civic Type R purchase.)
I just put some performance rubber on my car though, and that makes up a lot of ground compared to the Honda. While I can't afford to go crazy, I think the next few months will see performance pads and rotors, the rear sway from a Veloster N, and a weighted shift knob from SXTH element to try and make the Elantra a bit more sporty.
