After Hyundai killed its Elantra Touring wagon in 2012, it released the Elantra GT, which was the company’s hatchback version of the 2013 Elantra. The GT is more compact than the wagon Hyundai did away with, but that doesn’t mean the GT is a lesser car. On the contrary, it’s one of the best used compact hatchbacks you can find.
The exterior of the Elantra GT is clean and sporty with flowing lines that might make you think the Elantra GT comes at a higher price. Actually, the price tag is one of the reasons to consider the Elantra GT, with models priced between $11,000 and $15,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. The affordable and attractive Elantra GT has some stiff competition in the compact car category, such as the Mazda3 or the Volkswagen Golf, but it stands out because it offers great styling, performance, comfort, technology and utility in one affordable package.
Under the hood, the Elantra GT sports a 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque 1.8 four-cylinder mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. While not exactly a hot hatch – the little four-cylinder has a 0-60 time of just over 8 seconds – it can be fun to drive, thanks to its relatively low curb weight, ranging from 2,784 pounds to 2,959 pounds depending on the options included in the vehicle.
The weight of the car paired with its efficient four-cylinder make for excellent gas mileage as well. The Elantra GT manages 37 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city, with the Active Eco driving mode selected.
“ The Elantra GT comes with a standard rear backup camera that is concealed behind the rear Hyundai logo. ”
The Elantra GT’s interior features a central infotainment system and dual gauge instrument cluster with a central vehicle information screen. The infotainment system controls smartphone connectivity, navigation, radio, climate control and vehicle information. It’s controlled by both a touchscreen and on-dash buttons, making the system easy to use. Also, the Elantra GT comes with a standard rear backup camera that is concealed behind the rear Hyundai logo.
There’s decent space in the Elantra GT, and the 23 cubic feet of cargo space (51 cubic feet with the rear seats down) provides plenty of room for bags and gear for weekend trips or the kids’ upcoming soccer game.
If you’re looking for a pre-owned compact family car that provides great design, good interior space and solid fuel economy numbers, the Elantra GT is a solid candidate for your next used car purchase. Plus, Hyundai has a way of packing in features that belie their asking price – making the Elantra GT a smart buy for your hard earned money.
