2002 Hyundai Elantra Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Elantra sedan was restyled for 2001, and the newer GT shares much with the GLS sedan. From the front doors forward they are identical, with a distinctive chrome-lipped grille and prominent twin trapezoid headlamps angled back in a black background. Last year's design changes did more than improve the looks. Elantra's drag coefficient was reduced to improve fuel economy and lower wind noise inside. New headlights cast light in a wider pattern.

From the mid pillar (B-pillar) back, the GT is distinct from the GLS. The GT model's glass area is more expansive and airy, and its roof trails back into the rear hatch, fastback style, rather than dropping suddenly toward the trunk. The hatch ends with the small lip of a spoiler above the taillights and rear bumper. If you're familiar with the Saab 93, think of its rear hatch and you'll have a good idea what the Elantra GT is like.

With Elantra's new styling came changes you can't easily see. The wheelbase was stretched 2.3 inches to 102.7, making more leg room inside, and headroom was increased both front and rear. Just as significantly, the engine is mounted with hydraulic attachments in a new front subframe, greatly reducing the amount of drivetrain vibration that reaches the cabin.

Interior Features

Often, inexpensive cars try to make up for their economy ambience with strange, garish interior design. The Elantra GT's interior is subdued, clean and efficient, with the gauge binnacle and control panel sweeping in front of the driver and down toward the center console.

The gauges themselves are backlit with a purplish light. It's interesting, and the speedometer and standard tach are quite legible at night or in full mid-afternoon sunshine. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning are now adjusted with rotary controls, rather than the cheaper, more difficult sliding type, and the dials are set in the preferred location-below, rather than above, the stereo. The stereo buttons are on the small side (we've rarely found buttons that are too big), but they are as large and easy to operate as those in some more expensive cars (the Volkswagen Jetta, for example). Light, wiper and cruise control switches are stalk mounted. A remote hatch and fuel-door release are standard.

The interior in our test car was finished in dark gray and basic black, and we found it surprisingly appealing. There's very little hard plastic in the Elantra GT, and the soft stuff has a richer feel than we've been conditioned to expect in cars of this ilk.

The front seats are larger than before, neither too soft (lacking proper support) nor too hard (bordering on painful). The driver's seat is height adjustable both front and rear, and both front seats have adjustable lumbar support. The front shoulder belts are height adjustable---a feature shorter people will appreciate-and the center position in back has a combination lap/shoulder belt (the class standard remains lap belt only). Certainly, rear passengers will be happier if the center spot is empty, but the same can be said for much more expensive cars such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

In our view, the real beauty of the Elantra GT is its five-door design, particularly for young families that will only own one car. After a week running errands in this car, we can't understand why Americans have never been particularly fond of four-door hatchbacks. With the rear seat up, there's room enough in the cargo compartment for beach gear or the sundry kid stuff required for a day trip. With the seat folded, the rear side doors make access to cargo much easier.

It's remarkable what you can squeeze into an Elantra GT, We fit a dozen 10-foot pieces of wood molding and a couple of two-by-fours entirely inside the car, with the hatch closed. The same with plywood sheets cut to 40 X 70 inches, including the remnants. With the hatch tied partway open, the possibilities include full sheets of plywood or a 27-inch TV in its carton. And Elantra doesn't suffer from the bane of some five-doors: a flexing, rattling body. It's decently screwed together and satisfactorily solid.