Hyundai Elantra 2017 Review

In recent years, the competition in the local compact car market has become increasingly fierce. Many family users and young office workers are looking for a practical, well-equipped, and cost-effective daily commute vehicle. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Public is one of the popular candidates in this segment. This car has attracted considerable attention with its more stylish exterior design, upgraded intelligent features, and balanced performance. The main purpose of our test drive this time is to verify whether its actual performance in Malaysian urban road conditions matches its positioning and whether these upgrades genuinely enhance the daily user experience.

Approaching the 2017 Elantra Public, the first impression is that it looks sportier than the previous generation. The front face features Hyundai’s family-style hexagonal grille, filled with a blacked-out mesh pattern, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights on both sides for high recognition. The body side lines are sleek, with a waistline running from the hood to the rear and crossing the front and rear door handles, coupled with 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, giving the side profile a longer and more elegant appearance. The rear design is simple, with horizontally arranged LED taillights connecting to the waistline, and dual-exhaust styling (which is actually hidden) below adds a touch of sportiness. The overall exterior maintains the steadiness of a family car while infusing youthful elements, catering to the current market aesthetics.

Sitting inside, the interior texture is more solid than expected. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials with delicate stitching craftsmanship, and there are no obvious cheap hard plastics where touchpoints are frequent. The dashboard layout is driver-centered, with an 8-inch touch screen positioned at the top of the center console. It operates smoothly and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, making daily use very convenient. The instrument cluster combines traditional mechanical dials and a 4.2-inch color trip computer screen, clearly displaying information like fuel consumption, speed, and navigation. As for features, mid to high trims are equipped with keyless start, automatic climate control, rear air vents, and USB charging ports. The front seats also support electric adjustment, which is standard among competitors in its class.

In terms of space, the Elantra Public has a wheelbase of 2700mm, ranking above average in compact sedans. The front row offers ample room, with a 175cm tall occupant having a fist’s worth of headroom after adjusting the seat properly. The rear row is equally spacious, with more than two fists of legroom and a fist of headroom. The central floor hump is low, so the middle passenger's comfort is not significantly affected when fully loaded with three occupants in the back. In terms of storage, the front door pockets can accommodate two 500ml water bottles, the central armrest box is sufficiently deep to hold small items, and the trunk offers 427 liters of space, making it adequate for daily use and short-distance travel luggage needs.

As for performance, the model we test-drove was equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum power of 95.3kW (128PS) and a peak torque of 154N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the power delivery is smooth, and the throttle response is responsive at startup without feeling sluggish. At low and medium speeds, the transmission logic is clear, and the gear changes are prompt, which suits urban road conditions. On highways, when the speed exceeds 100 km/h, the power reserves are not exceptionally abundant, requiring a deeper press on the accelerator to achieve noticeable acceleration. However, it is entirely sufficient for daily commuting and highway cruising. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, the gearbox delays shifting, maintains higher RPMs, and provides more direct power response.

The handling performance is mediocre. The steering wheel is light and precise, with no noticeable play, making daily parking and steering effortless. The suspension system uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup, with tuning leaning toward comfort. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most minor vibrations, keeping the vehicle stable without noticeable bouncing. During cornering, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, and it doesn’t feel floaty. Overall, the handling is suitable for a family-use positioning.

In terms of fuel consumption, we conducted a test drive of approximately 100 km under urban road conditions, with an average fuel consumption of about 7.2L/100km. On highways, the fuel consumption was about 5.8L/100km, with a combined fuel consumption of around 6.5L/100km. This performance is in line with the level of a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine and demonstrates good fuel economy. Regarding noise control, the vehicle's engine noise is almost inaudible at idle. At speeds below 60 km/h, wind and tire noise are minimal. When the speed exceeds 80 km/h, wind noise gradually becomes noticeable but remains acceptable and does not affect conversations inside the car.

In summary, the core advantage of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Public lies in its balanced product strength: stylish exterior design, spacious interior, practical configurations, and good fuel efficiency. Compared to competitors in the same segment, such as the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Elantra Public has certain advantages in space and features, with a more cost-effective price. Compared to the Honda Civic, its power performance may not match the Civic's 1.5T turbocharged engine, but it excels in comfort and fuel efficiency. This car is suitable for families focusing on space, features, and fuel economy, or for young professionals in need of a reliable commute vehicle. If you are looking for a well-rounded compact sedan with no obvious shortcomings, the Elantra Public is worth considering.